Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to join Amerks

Top Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be joining the Rochester Americans, his Finnish team announced today.

The Sabres loaned Luukkonen, 21, to HC TPS, a Liiga team, in August and had extended the loan agreement throughout the season.

The Amerks, the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, opened training camp Friday. The AHL season is scheduled to start Feb. 5.

In 13 games with HC TPS, Luukkonen compiled a 6-3-4 record with a 2.52 ... Read the full article

Ex-Sabres defenseman Casey Nelson retires from hockey

Former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Casey Nelson, who opted out of the season last month, has retired from hockey.

Nelson, 28, announced the news in an Instagram post this afternoon. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Sabres on Oct. 22.

“Stay tuned for the next chapter!” Nelson wrote in his post.

Nelson spent all of last season with the Rochester Americans, compiling four goals, 12 points and a team-high plus-18 rating in 48 games. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson showcasing talents of future star after long layoff

BUFFALO – Taylor Hall knew nothing about Tage Thompson before the first day they practiced together as Sabres teammates Jan. 1.

But right away, Hall said he was taken aback by watching the 6-foot-7 winger up close.

The size. The ability to handle and shoot the puck. The speed.

Hall quickly learned why Thompson, 23, is such an intriguing talent.

“You see why he was drafted in the first round and why they’re so high ... Read the full article

Prospect Jack Quinn still with Sabres, will be assigned to taxi squad

BUFFALO – On Wednesday morning, rookie Jack Quinn wasn’t among the five players the Sabres assigned to their new taxi squad.

But instead of practicing with the team’s main group at KeyBank Center, Quinn joined the taxi-squad players across the street inside LECOM Harborcenter.

Meanwhile, taxi-squad forward Rasmus Asplund skated with the Sabres’ main group.

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said last week the practice groups would be adjusted every morning, so expect regular movement ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt among five players assigned to Sabres’ taxi squad

BUFFALO – Forward Casey Mittelstadt was among five players the Sabres assigned to their taxi squad this morning.

The Sabres also assigned center Rasmus Asplund, goalie Jonas Johansson and defensemen Will Borgen and Brandon Davidson to the taxi squad, which the NHL implemented this season because of the COVID-19.

Mittelstadt, the eighth overall pick in 2017, has played 114 NHL games. He ended last season with the Rochester Americans.... Read the full article

Sabres’ roster almost set; Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn to remain in Buffalo

BUFFALO – The 27 players who participated in Tuesday’s practice will start the season on the Sabres’ roster or taxi squad, coach Ralph Krueger said.

That means 19-year-old forward prospects Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, Buffalo’s last two first-round picks, will remain in the NHL for now.

Of course, the Sabres must sort some things out before Thursday’s opener against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center.

Krueger said center Curtis Lazar (lower-body injury) and ... Read the full article

Sabres send four players to Amerks

The Sabres sent four players to the Rochester Americans this morning, including defenseman Jacob Bryson and forward Arttu Ruotsalainen.

They also assigned defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and forward Andrew Oglevie to the AHL affiliate.

The Sabres sent eight players to the Amerks on Monday.

The Amerks open training camp Friday.... Read the full article

Goalies Carter Hutton, Linus Ullmark could share Sabres’ net this season

After snatching the starting job from Carter Hutton last season, Linus Ullmark figured to have the inside track to be the Buffalo Sabres’ No. 1 goalie this year.

Ullmark, 27, morphed into a workhorse a year ago, playing 26 out of 32 games at one point as Hutton struggled.

But not surprisingly, coach Ralph Krueger said he wants to foster internal competition and “keep the picture small.” Right now, the Sabres don’t have a No. ... Read the full article

Sabres send eight players to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres sent eight players to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Joining the AHL affiliate following the first assignments of training camp are: defensemen Casey Fitzgerald and Ryan Jones; forwards Brandon Biro, Steven Fogarty, Brett Murray and C.J. Smith; and goalies Michael Houser and Dustin Tokarski.

Fogarty, Smith and Tokarski cleared waivers today. Defenseman Brandon Davidson also cleared waivers but is still with the Sabres, who had today off.... Read the full article

Implementing new taxi squad will be challenge for Sabres

In the COVID-19 world, the Sabres start each day by having a logistics meeting.

NHL teams can utilize a four- to-six man taxi squad this season, meaning in addition to figuring out the big league and AHL rosters, the Sabres have another group they must prepare to handle.

“This is so much a new world, trying to figure out exactly how we’re going to integrate the taxi squad,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said on a ... Read the full article