Savoie - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres to host Prospects Challenge rookie tournament Sept. 15 to 18

The Buffalo Sabres will again be hosting five teams at the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament from Sept. 15 to 18 at LECOM Harborcenter, the team announced Tuesday.

The Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins will all be participating in the round-robin tournament.

Tickets for the games cost $10 and will be available in early August. Season-ticket holders will have priority access and a preferred rate for tickets they purchase.... Read the full article

Zach Benson, Sabres’ other NHL Draft picks to attend development camp

First-round pick Zach Benson and the Buffalo Sabres’ seven other selections at the NHL Draft this week will be attending the team’s development camp that starts Sunday at LECOM Harborcenter.

The roster released today features 19 forwards, 11 defensemen and five goalies.

Winger Victor Neuchev and defenseman Nikita Novikov, Russian prospects who recently signed their entry-level contracts, will be participating. It’s the first time they’ve attended a camp in Buffalo.... Read the full article

Sabres confident Jack Quinn will return stronger following Achilles surgery

NASHVILLE – Following a 14-goal rookie season, Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn was expected to become a significant contributor in the upcoming campaign.

But the start of his sophomore season will be delayed months after he tore his Achilles tendon while training earlier this week. He underwent successful surgery Wednesday.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams wouldn’t speculate on a timeline for Quinn’s return, only saying it was “significant” and he will make a full recovery. ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: In Zach Benson, Sabres add aggressive, dynamic junior star

NASHVILLE – Winger Zach Benson had been a Buffalo Sabres prospect for about 20 minutes, but as a sat there smiling wearing a No. 23 blue jersey in Bridgestone Arena, he already seemed comfortable in his new organization.

Benson, the 13th overall pick at Wednesday’s NHL Draft, formed half of a lethal duo with Sabres center prospect Matt Savoie last season, combining for a whopping 74 goals goals and 193 points. As a 15-year-old Western ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Sabres select Zach Benson 13th overall

NASHVILLE – The Buffalo Sabres tonight selected Winnipeg Ice winger Zach Benson at the NHL Draft.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Benson scored 36 goals and 98 points in 60 games last season while forming a dynamic duo with Sabres center prospect Matt Savoie. Benson added seven goals and 17 points in 15 Western Hockey League playoff outings.

Benson, 18, has compiled 71 goals and 181 points in 142 career WHL outings over three seasons.... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams looking at ‘every possible scenario’ to improve Sabres

BUFFALO – This offseason, general manager Kevyn Adams is having different conversations with his counterparts as he works to improve the Sabres.

Having watched his team record 91 points and fall two points short of a playoff spot in 2022-23, he said he’s examining “every possible scenario.”

That wasn’t the case as the Sabres went through a two-year rebuild. But after enjoying their best season in 12 years, they’re a different mode this summer.

... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Zach Benson, Matt Savoie’s center, could be strong pick for Sabres

BUFFALO – When the Winnipeg Ice reconvened to begin an abbreviated season in 2021, James Patrick figured Zach Benson would mostly practice with the junior team. If things went well, the coach hoped the diminutive 15-year-old might play about five games.

In the Western Hockey League, the 5-foot-5, 140-pound rookie winger would be facing opponents four or five years older and nearly a foot taller and 50 or 60 pounds heavier.

Patrick still laughs recalling ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks’ wild postseason run ends with loss to Hershey: ‘Such an unbelievable team’

ROCHESTER – The reality Seth Appert would never coach this group of Americans again hit him hard in the moments after Friday’s season-ending 1-0 loss to the Hershey Bears.

This group, Appert said, took time to find its way. In late February, the Amerks were mired in sixth place. In the beginning of the season, they lost their starting goalie and two established talents expected to be big contributors.

“Success and this high a level ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks implode late against Hershey, on brink of elimination; Matthew Savoie scratched

ROCHESTER – Having stared down elimination three times earlier in the Calder Cup Playoffs, it might be premature to write off the Americans.

When they faced a win-or-go-home scenario in the AHL North Division semifinals, they responded by rattling off seven straight wins.

They’ve thrived under adversity. So perhaps they can rebound from Monday’s emotional 4-2 loss to the Hershey Bears in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Still, following their third-period implosion, it’s ... Read the full article

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