Savoie - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Olivier Nadeau offers Amerks another intriguing rookie

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Olivier Nadeau needed this new experience. Earlier this month, the end of his junior career angered him.

Nadeau, 20, enjoyed a terrific year with the Gatineau Olympiques, a team built to win a championship this season. After recovering from shoulder surgery, he scored 22 times in 34 games, including a four-goal outing Feb. 9. Gatineau, which acquired him in the offseason, named him captain just 18 games into his tenure.... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks’ torrid stretch ends in loss to Bears; Sabres prospect Matt Savoie makes pro debut

It turns out the Rochester Americans can be stopped.

Not only did they lose Thursday, ending a seven-game winning streak during the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Hershey Bears shut them out.

In beating the Amerks 2-0 at Giant Center, the Bears tied the best-of-seven AHL Eastern Conference final 1-1 and sent a strong message they won’t go away quietly.

The Amerks entered the game on a tear, having scored 41 goals during their torrid stretch. ... Read the full article

In prized Sabres prospect Matt Savoie, Rochester Amerks add new weapon

ROCHESTER – Before the Americans can think about utilizing slick Buffalo Sabres prospect Matt Savoie in the Calder Cup Playoffs, coach Seth Appert joked he needs to learn his new teammates’ names.

Savoie, 19, has experienced a whirlwind few days, traveling from Seattle, where his junior team lost in the Western Hockey League final, back to Winnipeg. Following some emotional goodbyes with his Ice teammates, he arrived in Western New York on Sunday.

After practicing ... Read the full article

Sabres assign prospect Matt Savoie to Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday assigned center prospect Matt Savoie, the ninth overall pick in 2022, to the Rochester Americans.

Savoie, 19, can join the Amerks, Buffalo’s AHL affiliate, because his junior campaign with the Winnipeg Ice ended Friday in the Western Hockey League championship. Teenagers who play for Canadian Hockey League teams aren’t eligible to play for AHL clubs until their season is over.

The Amerks begin the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final series ... Read the full article

Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich and likely other Sabres prospects off limits in trades

BUFFALO – In his early days as general manager, Kevyn Adams began reshaping the Sabres by trading established assets.

Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen all fetched hefty returns and have helped the Sabres compile a deep and talented stable of prospects.

As the Sabres have developed into a playoff contender this season, Adams has learned how much other teams covet their young talent.... Read the full article

Sabres trim roster, send Matt Savoie to junior, 21 players to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday assigned center Matt Savoie to his junior team and loaned 21 players to the Rochester Americans, their AHL affiliate.

They have 31 healthy players left in training camp. They must finalize their 23-man regular-season roster by 5 p.m. on Oct. 10.

The Sabres gave Savoie, the ninth overall pick this year, a long look during camp, awarding him three preseason games before sending to the Winnipeg Ice. Savoie, 18, was ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Matt Savoie earning long look in Buffalo

BUFFALO – In the end, chances are the Sabres will assign center prospect Matt Savoie to his junior team before their season opener on Oct. 13.

Savoie, having established himself as one of the Western Hockey League’s elite talents, will join the Winnipeg Ice and almost certainly enjoy a dynamic season.

In the meantime, Savoie, the ninth overall pick this year, has an opportunity to keep impressing the Sabres.

Savoie, 18, is the only ... Read the full article

Sabres prospects Brandon Biro, Lukas Rousek shine in preseason win

BUFFALO – In the first week of training camp, the Sabres have often been placing forward prospects with established talent, offering Brandon Biro, Lukas Rousek, Linus Weissbach and others special development opportunities.

The reasoning is simple: coach Don Granato believes his veterans will send consistent messages about what the Sabres want collectively as a team.

In Tuesday’s 2-1 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center, some of those prospects ranked among the best ... Read the full article

Matt Savoie impressing Sabres; Buffalo to utilize strong lineup against Flyers

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Matt Savoie has integrated so quickly that coach Don Granato feels comfortable playing the rookie between veterans.

So tonight, less than a week into his first NHL training camp, Savoie, 18, will center Casey Mittelstadt and Kyle Okposo against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Savoie, the ninth overall pick this year, also played in Sunday afternoon’s preseason opener, a 4-3 overtime road win against the Washington Capitals.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Filip Cederqvist uses heavy game to score goals

BUFFALO – Given his rookie status last season, Djurgardens’ former general manager figured Sabres prospect Filip Cederqvist would play a supporting role for the Swedish Hockey League team, perhaps on the third or fourth line.

But coach Barry Smith found wherever he put the 6-foot-3 Cederqvist in the lineup during the preseason, the youngster “was empowering” his teammates.

“He plays a power forward game, and because he plays a power forward game, he can really ... Read the full article