Rousek - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Why did the Sabres have such a poor home record in Buffalo?

BUFFALO – General manager Kevyn Adams has a theory on the Sabres’ home woes this season.

“I feel I’ve asked enough questions that I have a handle on this,” he said during Wednesday’s end-of-season news conference.

The Sabres compiled a ghastly 17-20-4 mark at KeyBank Center. Only four NHL teams – the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks – earned fewer home wins. The Montreal Canadiens equaled the Sabres’ meager ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo proud of work with Sabres, quiet on future as contract expires

BUFFALO – Almost seven years ago, captain Kyle Okposo stood at a podium in KeyBank Center and explained he chose the Sabres as a free agent because he believed they possessed all the ingredients to win the Stanley Cup.

Today, with his $42 million contract about to expire, Okposo hasn’t played a single playoff series with the Sabres.

“But if I were to walk away and be done, I think I left here better than ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson wanted to hit 50-goal mark

BUFFALO – At the beginning of the season, fresh off a breakout 38-goal campaign, Sabres star Tage Thompson wanted duplicate last year’s career-best output.

“If I could get around the same as I got last year, it would be successful and (I’d) be pretty happy with that,” Thompson said prior to Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ home finale.

Well, Thompson, 25, hit the 30-goal mark Jan. 3, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Craig Anderson wants to stay in moment; Mattias Samuelsson likely done for season

BUFFALO – A decision will be made later. Right now, Sabres goalie Craig Anderson isn’t ready to say if tonight’s start game will be the final of his decorated 20-year NHL career.

Of course, Anderson, 41, understands retirement is nearing.

“Age is creeping up,” the NHL’s oldest player said prior to the home finale against his old team, the Ottawa Senators, at KeyBank Center.

But Anderson simply wants to stay in the moment.... Read the full article

Years before NHL debut, Sabres goalie Devon Levi earned big win in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Long before goalie Devon Levi joined the Sabres, he earned what he called one of the biggest wins of his life here.

“Even though I was a little kid,” said an excited Levi, who will be making his highly anticipated NHL debut tonight against the New York Rangers.

Levi was 13 to be exact, in the infancy of his career. He had tried out and been cut from an East Coast Selects team ... Read the full article

In ‘heady’ Lukas Rousek, Sabres have unique prospect: ‘Attacks every day’

BUFFALO – The bench erupted like the Sabres had won the game. Ecstatic players stood and raised their arms in celebration after winger Lukas Rousek scored less than four minutes into his NHL debut.

As Rousek, 23, skated along the bench for the customary post-goal glove bumps, each of his teammates had a wide smile on his face.

“First shift, first shot, so it was awesome,” Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said of Rousek’s goal in ... Read the full article

Canadiens spoil Lukas Rousek’s debut; Sabres’ Tage Thompson out with injury

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Eric Comrie sounded somber trying to explain Monday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

Their two-game winning streak had ignited hope that perhaps they could make a late-season climb toward the second wild card spot that seemed so unlikely a week ago.

A victory over the Canadiens at KeyBank Center would’ve moved the Sabres to within one point of the struggling Florida Panthers and four points of the Pittsburgh Penguins, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson will likely keep gutting out injury

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson can’t do more damage to his undisclosed injury by playing with it.

“As long as he can fight through it, tolerate any pain that there might be, the decision is his (whether to play),” coach Don Granato told reporters Saturday in New York following the Sabres’ 2-0 win over the Islanders. “With the tolerance threshold, only he knows.”

Thompson, who was injured when he collided with Timo Meier early ... Read the full article

With Tage Thompson injured, Sabres recall prospect Lukas Rousek

The Buffalo Sabres today recalled forward prospect Lukas Rousek from the Rochester Americans.

Rousek, 23, has never played in the NHL.

Sabres center Tage Thompson suffered an undisclosed injury after colliding with Timo Meier in Friday’s 5-4 win over the New Jersey Devils. While Thompson returned to the game after briefly leaving in the first period, coach Don Granato said his leading scorer is questionable for this afternoon’s road contest against the New York Islanders.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Brandon Biro quietly becoming elite AHL talent with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Last month, Buffalo Sabres prospect Brandon Biro approached Americans coach Seth Appert with a simple question: am I still playing well?

Biro, 25, had been on a tear nearly all season, scoring at more than a point per game clip. In December, he had six consecutive two-point outings and 16 points in 10 contests.

Then, suddenly, the center hit an offensive rut when the calendar turned to 2023. He endured a seven-game point ... Read the full article