Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres to showcase glimpse of future in prospects Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect JJ Peterka was grocery shopping with Linus Weissbach on Monday in Rochester when his teammate’s phone rang.

Peterka’s phone wasn’t working, so to relay some special news, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert called Weissbach, one of the German’s roommates.

“That was kind of weird but then I got the phone and Appert told me I got called up, so it was amazing,” said a smiling Peterka, who was officially recalled this ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Arttu Ruotsalainen from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning added reinforcements for their depleted lineup, recalling forward prospects Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Arttu Ruotsalainen from the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres, who have five forwards in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, practiced with just 10 forwards Monday.

Krebs, 20, played 13 games for the Vegas Golden Knights over the past two seasons. Peterka, 19, has never played in the NHL. Ruotsalainen, 24, started the season with the Sabres.

... Read the full article

Sabres move forward without Don Granato, five players: ‘I feel for the guys’

BUFFALO – Following the Sabres’ first practice in eight days, winger Kyle Okposo acknowledged that, yes, at times he recently wondered if they would ever skate together again.

On Sunday, Okposo arrived at the KeyBank Center excited the NHL’s Christmas/COVID-19 break had ended. But after coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski tested positive for the virus, the Sabres canceled their scheduled afternoon practice.

“I was ready to go yesterday,” Okposo said ... Read the full article

Parents of Sabres’ Casey Fitzgerald nervous watching son fight

For 22 anxious seconds Friday, Kerry Fitzgerald watched her son, Casey, a Buffalo Sabres defenseman, trade punches with Sam Lafferty.

Throughout the day, Kerry acknowledged she was a “nervous wreck” waiting for Casey, 24, to make his NHL debut at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. But after the puck dropped against the Penguins, she said it felt like watching any hockey game.

Then about five minutes into the second period, Casey took umbrage with ... Read the full article

GM Kevyn Adams addresses Sabres’ COVID-19 problems

After having three games postponed and one player enter the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, the Sabres wanted to practice one final time before beginning a four-day break.

“Really get the guys going before we lead into the break,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday.

Adams said doctors approved the plan. If the Sabres didn’t have any additional positive cases, they would skate Tuesday morning at LECOM Harborcenter.

But on Tuesday, two ... Read the full article

Sabres add two players to COVID-19 protocol

The Buffalo Sabres this morning added wingers Zemgus Girgensons and Jeff Skinner to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

They now have three players – winger Vinnie Hinostroza was added Monday – in protocol.

The Sabres canceled today’s practice and aren’t scheduled to gather again until Sunday afternoon, when the COVID pause the NHL announced late Monday ends. The pause takes effect Wednesday.... Read the full article

Sabres send Casey Fitzgerald to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon sent defenseman Casey Fitzgerald back to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres don’t have a game scheduled until next Monday, so Fitzgerald, 24, is available to the Amerks for Wednesday’s home game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.... Read the full article

Sabres being careful with two players sidelined by non-COVID illness

PITTSBURGH – The concern over the growing number of positive COVID-19 cases forced the NHL on Friday to postpone games involving the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers through Dec. 26.

So Wednesday’s Buffalo Sabres home game against the Avalanche has been shelved. No makeup date has been announced for the Sabres’ first COVID-related postponement this season.

The NHL on Friday also extended the Calgary Flames’ postponements through Thursday.

COVID is tearing through the NHL. The ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Robert Hagg to lower-body injury; Casey Fitzgerald recalled

In his first months in Buffalo, Robert Hagg established himself as the Sabres’ premier shot blocker and one of their steadiest defensemen. At the same time, the Swede’s affable personality endeared him to his coaches and teammates.

So losing Hagg, who will be sidelined month to month with a lower-body injury, the Sabres announced this afternoon, leaves a significant hole in their lineup.

“We’re gonna miss him,” Sabres coach Don Granato said on a Zoom ... Read the full article

Sabres make goalie moves, send Aaron Dell to Amerks

The Sabres this afternoon sent goalie Aaron Dell to the Rochester Americans and activated Malcolm Subban off injured reserved.

Subban, who missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury, will back up Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for tonight’s road game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Dell, 32, struggled with the Sabres, compiling a 0-5-0 record with a 4.52 goals-against average and an .872 save percentage in seven games.... Read the full article