Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres send Dalton Smith to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent winger Dalton Smith back to the Rochester Americans today.

Smith, 27, made his NHL debut in Tuesday’s 6-4 home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, skating 86 seconds a day after the Sabres signed him to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Sabres scratched the tough guy the next two games.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Scott Wilson rewarded for strong start with Amerks

BUFFALO – After winger Scott Wilson broke his right ankle in training camp last season and missed the first three months, he spent five weeks in the minors.

While Wilson, 27, made it back to the NHL – he played 15 late-season games with the Sabres – his recovery was far from over.

“Really dealing with that ankle was a full-year thing for me,” said Wilson, who was injured Sept. 30, 2018.

So when the ... Read the full article

Wayne Primeau on Sabres’ Dalton Smith: ‘He never gave up, he never quit’

BUFFALO – For the second straight game, Sabres winger Dalton Smith skated in the pregame warm-up before being scratched.

If Smith, 27, had played in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers, his uncle, former Sabres forward Wayne Primeau, could’ve seen his second NHL game.

On Monday, the Sabres signed Smith to an NHL contract and promoted him from the Rochester Americans. After 400 minor league games, the tough guy made his NHL debut ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Scott Wilson from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled winger Scott Wilson from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Wilson, 27, has scored six goals and 10 points in 22 games with the Amerks this season.

The Sabres lost rookie winger Victor Olofsson to an undisclosed injury early in the third period of Thursday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Conor Sheary finally starting to showcase more offense

BUFFALO – In his five-year NHL career, Sabres winger Conor Sheary said he had never experienced being a healthy scratch until last month.

“That was something different for me,” said Sheary, who sat out three times over a six-game stretch.

But in his first half season as Sabres coach, Ralph Krueger has established he’s willing to scratch anyone.

Krueger benched forward Evan Rodrigues on opening night and has kept sitting him out for months. In ... Read the full article

Sabres place Dalton Smith on waivers

BUFFALO – The Sabres placed winger Dalton Smith on waivers this afternoon, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Smith, 27, made his NHL debut in Tuesday’s 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, skating just one minute, 26 seconds.

The Sabres, who had been pushed around by the Lightning earlier this season, signed Smith to a one-year, two-way contract Monday.

The tough guy had played on an AHL deal with the Rochester Americans the last three ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Curtis Lazar thriving back at center

BUFFALO – Curtis Lazar loves playing center. After thriving back at his natural position a year ago with the Stockton Heat, the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate, he talked to the Sabres during free agency about remaining there.

“All my conversations during the summer said I’d be down the middle, and then I come to camp and played strictly wing,” said Lazar, who signed a one-year, $700,000 contract July 1. “I’m honestly fine with whatever. I ... Read the full article

NHL All-Star Jack Eichel enjoying one of greatest seasons in Sabres history

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel’s selection to the NHL All-Star Game, of course, was a no-brainer.

Eichel’s fifth NHL season has quickly become his best. Right now, he ranks among the game’s elite stars.

The slick center has already scored 24 goals, just four off his career high, and 52 points in 39 games. He’s tied for third in NHL goal scoring and is seventh in points entering tonight’s game against the Tampa ... Read the full article

With Lightning up next, Sabres ready to utilize tough guy Dalton Smith

BUFFALO – Long before the Sabres signed him to a two-way contract Monday, Dalton Smith seemed destined to reach the NHL.

In 2010, the Columbus Blue Jackets drafted the 6-foot-2, 210-pound winger 34th overall. Second-round picks, of course, are expected to make the big leagues.

But Smith’s road to the NHL would be long and arduous.

His stint as a bonafide prospect was short. After spending two seasons with Columbus’ AHL affiliate, he started bouncing ... Read the full article

Sabres sign tough guy Dalton Smith to one-year, two-way contract

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Dalton Smith to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000, the team announced this morning.

Smith, 27, has been playing on an AHL deal with the Rochester Americans.

Update: Smith is on the ice with Sabres for this afternoon’s practice. The Sabres host the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team that has pushed them around this season, Tuesday.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Smith possesses an agitating style and regularly fights. In seven ... Read the full article