Rosen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Devon Levi, Konsta Helenius among players Sabres assign to Rochester

BUFFALO – Goalie Devon Levi and forward Konsta Helenius were among 24 players the Sabres assigned to the Rochester Americans following Saturday afternoon’s 5-2 preseason win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Levi, 23, is expected to begin the year as Rochester’s No. 1 goalie after securing an NHL roster spot out of training camp in each of his first two seasons.

Meanwhile, Helenius, 19, recorded one goal and three points in four exhibition games. In ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen practices; Jiri Kulich injured

BUFFALO – Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen knows if the Sabres hope to end their embarrassing 14-year playoff drought, he must bounce back following a disappointing season in which he often struggled and briefly lost his starting job.

It can be argued no player is more integral to the Sabres’ success than Luukkonen, who failed to build on his breakout 2023-24 campaign and sat out late-season games when journeyman James Reimer took over the net.

So it ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Konsta Helenius has grit to complement skill, scores early

BUFFALO – With less than a minute remaining in Monday’s 4-0 road win in Columbus, Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius grabbed a pass at the blue line and skated down the right wing toward Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves.

A scoring opportunity in the waning seconds of the preseason opener hardly seems important, especially when you’re up 3-0.

Still, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wanted Helenius, 19, to convert his prime chance.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund displays toughness, skill in loss

BUFFALO – Having arrived in North America late in the 2023-24 season, Sabres center prospect Noah Ostlund is still acclimating to a more physical brand of hockey.

On the larger ice surface in his native Sweden, there’s less contact and, of course, fewer fights.

“I’m not as used to it as you guys over here are because we don’t have that in Sweden,” Ostlund said following Saturday’s chippy 7-5 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets ... Read the full article

After strong season, Sabres prospect Isak Rosen focused on sticking in NHL

BUFFALO – On Friday, winger Isak Rosen will suit up for the Sabres in his fourth Prospects Challenge. Given his slick skill set and experience, there’s an expectation he will be a dominant presence in the rookie tournament.

Rosen has registered 48 goals and 105 points over the last two seasons in the AHL and played 15 NHL games. Last year, he developed into the Rochester Americans’ top offense threat, scoring 28 goals and 55 ... Read the full article

Radim Mrtka, Noah Ostlund highlight first-rounders on Sabres’ Prospects Challenge roster

Four first-round picks, including defenseman Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall selection this year, and center Noah Ostlund, who finished last season in the NHL, highlight the 26-man Prospects Challenge roster the Buffalo Sabres released Tuesday.

Forwards Konsta Helenius and Isak Rosen, who has played 15 games for the Sabres over the last two seasons, are the other Buffalo first-rounders who will be participating in the rookie camp tournament that runs from Friday to Monday in ... Read the full article

Sabres to host Prospects Challenge rookie tournament Sept. 11 to 15

The Buffalo Sabres will be hosting four teams at the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament from Sept. 11 to 15 at LECOM Harborcenter, the team announced Monday.

The Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins will also be participating in the round-robin tournament. The Ottawa Senators have dropped out.

Tickets for the games cost $11.80 and are on sale. Rosters will be announced at a later date.... Read the full article

Jiri Kulich plays hero, helps Rochester Amerks even series versus Laval Rocket

ROCHESTER – It felt like only a matter of time before Jiri Kulich put his mark on the Americans’ hotly contested second-round series against the Laval Rocket. The center, after all, is now an NHL player, having spent nearly all season with the Buffalo Sabres.

Kulich, however, has returned to the AHL for one final run with the Amerks during the Calder Cup Playoffs. Having just about outgrown the minors, he’s expected to be a ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks fight to finish, fall to Laval Rocket in second-round opener

ROCHESTER – The Laval Rocket has won seven of its nine meetings with the Americans this season, including Wednesday’s opener in the AHL North Division final.

The Amerks, of course, have ranked among the AHL’s heavyweights all season, boasting a deep and skilled lineup. However, Laval, having finished first overall, is the class of the AHL, which it proved again in Game 1 of the best-of-five series in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Rocket erased ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi, Jiri Kulich star as Rochester Amerks grab 2-0 lead

ROCHESTER – Don’t let the 4-0 final fool you. For much of Sunday afternoon, the Americans held a tenuous grip on a one-goal lead against the Syracuse Crunch.

After rookie winger Konsta Helenius put them up early, the Amerks could’ve unraveled in the second period of Game 2 of their AHL North Division semifinal series.

The Crunch buzzed around goalie Devon Levi, outshooting the home team 15-6 and also hitting the post during a late ... Read the full article