Training Camp Edition
Buffalo prospect Jack Quinn has been on a tear all season with Rochester. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – In the opening minutes of Friday’s third period, Americans center Mark Jankowski fought off a defender behind the net and laid the puck on the doorstep for his linemate, Jack Quinn, to convert.
When goal scorers receive a nifty pass like that in close, they shoot, oh, just about every time. But Quinn, the most dangerous threat the Amerks have had in a long time, displayed poise under pressure, quickly dishing the puck ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson is in his first season in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When the Sabres signed a slew of cheap free agents to one-year contracts last summer, it appeared their tenures here would be short.
After a season or less, they might become expendable. Some of organization’s prospects would mature and the rebuilding Sabres might also acquire better talent.
Well, so far, some prospects – defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and Mattias Samuelsson, for example – have graduated from the minors and earned regular duty. Others like ... Read the full article
Mattias Samuelsson enjoyed Sunday afternoon’s Heritage Classic. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The poise Mattias Samuelsson possesses belies his experience. Barely 30 games into his NHL career, the Sabres consistently utilize the rookie against the opposition’s top talent.
On Thursday, Samuelsson faced Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. In Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the defenseman was often tasked with shutting down Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, one of the NHL’s elite duos.
At one point Sunday, with Marner roaring toward him, ... Read the full article
Colin Miller has missed the last 23 games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Defenseman Colin Miller, out the last 23 games after undergoing surgery, will play during the Sabres’ upcoming road trip, coach Don Granato said.
Miller, who was trying to play through an upper-body injury earlier this season, has missed the last 23 games.
The Sabres play the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday and the Calgary Flames on Friday before closing the trip against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons is the longest-tenured Sabre. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Over the years, Zemgus Girgensons grew close to Rasmus Ristolainen and Sam Reinhart, two of his many ex-Sabres teammates.
Girgensons and Ristolainen joined the NHL together as teenage rookies in 2013. Reinhart arrived two years later.
Before the Sabres traded them in July, they became a part of Girgensons’ everyday life. In his first days back at the rink this season, he still expects to see them.
“I walk around and I think ... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted Lukas Rousek in 2019. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Lukas Rousek, a sixth-round pick in 2019, to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.
Rousek, 22, tied his career high by scoring 14 goals and set career highs by registering 24 assists and 38 points in 49 games with Sparta Praha, a Czech League team, this season.
The 5-foot-11, 171-pound Rousek has compiled 32 goals and 78 points in 161 career Czech League games over the ... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald turned pro late last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – After watching his son, Casey, unleash some wild haymakers Monday afternoon, Tom Fitzgerald congratulated the Sabres prospect on his first pro fight.
“He just said, ‘Good scrap, you didn’t get that from me, you got that from your mother,’” Casey Fitzgerald said of his father, who played 1,097 NHL games. “I got a good laugh from that. It was good to see him after, have him here.”
Tom Fitzgerald fought just seven times ... Read the full article
Matej Pekar broke his collarbone in January. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Matej Pekar couldn’t stop smiling. After eight months anxiously waiting on the sideline, the Sabres prospect was just hours away from playing a game again.
“It definitely feels like forever,” Pekar said prior to Friday’s 6-4 win over the New Jersey Devils in the Prospects Challenge opener. “I haven’t played a game since January.”
On Jan. 10, the affable Pekar, 19, broke his collarbone with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts, ending his ... Read the full article
The Sabres drafted Dylan Cozens seventh overall. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Once the puck dropped Friday, Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens never thought about the left thumb he had surgically repaired in July.
“I forgot about it and just went out and played hockey like I always play,” Cozens said after scoring a goal in Friday’s 6-4 win over the New Jersey Devils. “I just put that behind me.”
Cozens, who hurt his thumb during a development camp scrimmage June 29, wasn’t cleared to play ... Read the full article
Matej Pekar always seems to be smiling. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Matej Pekar couldn’t stop smiling. After eight months anxiously waiting on the sideline, the Sabres prospect will finally play a game again tonight.
“It definitely feels like forever,” Pekar said this morning after the Sabres prepared for their Prospects Challenge opener against the New Jersey Devils inside Harborcenter. “I haven’t played a game since January.”
On Jan. 10, the affable Pekar, 19, broke his collarbone with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts, ending ... Read the full article
