Lukas Rousek began the season in Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek to make season debut with Buffalo

BUFFALO – When the Sabres recently placed winger Zach Benson and goalie Eric Comrie on injured reserve, they recalled two young forward prospects.

Brandon Biro, 25, rewarded the Sabres by scoring his first two NHL goals in Wednesday’s 5-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Biro will be joined by another rookie, Lukas Rousek, 24, in tonight’s lineup against the Flyers.

“It’s an opportunity for us to see what we have in our organization and ... Read the full article

Lukas Rousek played his first two NHL games last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres recall forward from Americans

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday recalled winger Lukas Rousek, who played his first two NHL games last season, from the Rochester Americans.

Winger Alex Tuch missed Thursday’s practice for maintenance, according to the Sabres, so Rousek might’ve been summoned for insurance.

The Sabres had one extra forward, winger Victor Olofsson, for Wednesday’s 5-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers. They host the Flyers tonight at KeyBank Center.

Update: Rousek and Tuch will play against ... Read the full article

Riley Stillman played 18 games for Buffalo last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres waive three more players, close to finalizing 23-man roster

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday moved closer to finalizing their regular-season roster, waiving defensemen Riley Stillman and Kale Clague and forward Brandon Biro for the purpose of assigning them to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres also sent defenseman Ryan Johnson, 22, and winger Lukas Rousek, 24, to Rochester.

They have 25 players – 15 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies – left on their training camp roster. They must finalize their 23-man regular-season roster by ... Read the full article

Zach Benson celebrates his game-winning power-play goal Saturday afternoon. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Zach Benson scores late winner, making push to stay in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Barely a week ago, it felt like Zach Benson might receive a long look during training camp before the Sabres returned him to junior hockey. But four games, two goals and four points later, the prospect is fighting to earn an NHL roster spot.

Benson, 18, enjoyed another terrific outing in Saturday afternoon’s entertaining 4-3 preseason victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in KeyBank Center, scoring the late power-play winner after the Sabres ... Read the full article

Zach Benson played in Buffalo’s first two preseason games. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres prospect Zach Benson could earn more preseason action; Matt Savoie close to returning

BUFFALO – In the beginning of training camp, coach Don Granato said the Sabres penciled prospect Zach Benson in for three preseason games, a number he will hit tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But Benson, the 13th overall pick this year, has looked so impressive in his early action he might earn more games. The Sabres have three more after tonight’s in Pittsburgh.

“Now, based on how he’s playing, there’s intrigue that he may get ... Read the full article

The Joe Thornton Community Centre is ready for the Sabres. ©2023

Jacob Bryson, Sabres excited to play in Hockeyville: ‘It’s very special’

ST. THOMAS, Ont. – When the Buffalo Sabres arrived via a police escort at Joe Thornton Community Centre to prepare for tonight’s Kraft Hockeyville game, defenseman Jacob Bryson, who grew up in nearby London, left the bus first to greet excited fans.

“I would say I was ordered,” joked Bryson, who will play in tonight’s preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Of course, Bryson gladly, as he said, “led the charge.” He occasionally practiced ... Read the full article

(From left) Devon Levi, Lukas Rousek and Victor Olofsson are three intriguing participants in training camp. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres begin training camp with Devon Levi, prospects and Victor Olofsson in spotlight

BUFFALO – The deepest and most talented Sabres team since the rollicking post-lockout days of the mid-2000s will hit the ice today shouldering the expectation it can end the franchise’s embarrassing 12-year playoff drought.

Coming off a season in which they fell one win short of the postseason, the Sabres begin training camp with three sessions at KeyBank Center.

They have a whopping 64 players on their camp roster: seven goalies, 21 defensemen and 36 ... Read the full article

Lukas Rousek had a team-high 56 points for Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres re-sign prospect Lukas Rousek to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday re-signed winger Lukas Rousek, who played his first two NHL games late last season, to a two-year, $1.55 million contract.

Rousek, 24, enjoyed a breakout season with the Rochester Americans in 2022-23, establishing himself as one of the Sabres’ top forward prospects. His 40 assists and 56 points both led the Amerks. His 16 goals tied for fifth on the team.

The Czech added five goals and 12 points ... Read the full article

Rochester’s Jiri Kulich celebrates his first-period goal Wednesday with Linus Weissbach (13), Filip Cederqvist (71) and Joseph Cecconi (3). ©2023, Tori Hartman, Hershey Bears

Rookies Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek star as Rochester Amerks stay alive

In losing three straight games and moving to the brink of elimination from the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Rochester Americans suddenly had trouble scoring goals.

After scoring 41 times during a rollicking seven-game winning streak, they mustered just four goals against the Hershey Bears’ stifling defense.

Rookies Jiri Kulich and Lukas Rousek and captain Michael Mersch, three of the Amerks’ top forwards, combined for zero goals during that rough stretch.... Read the full article

Rochester’s Sean Malone battles for position Saturday between Hershey’s Logan Day and goalie Hunter Shepard. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Rochester Amerks lose, fall behind to Hershey: ‘Tackle football out there’

ROCHESTER – After the Americans opened the AHL Eastern Conference finals by scoring another five goals, it felt like their offense might overwhelm another opponent.

In winning two Calder Cup Playoffs series, the Amerks averaged six goals a game in their six victories. They seemed to be picking up where they left off.

But in Games 2 and 3 against the Hershey Bears, the Amerks have been forced to play what coach Seth Appert called ... Read the full article