Seattle Kraken - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Mark Jankowski grateful for time with Amerks, excited to join Sabres

BUFFALO – After spending nearly four straight seasons in the NHL, Sabres center Mark Jankowski found limited opportunities as a free agent during the summer. Eventually, he settled for an invitation to the New Jersey Devils’ training camp.

After the tryout expired and the Devils passed on signing him, a chance to join the Rochester Americans materialized.

Jankowski said he and the Amerks’ coaching staff talked a lot. He liked what he heard and felt ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt takes another step toward return; Alex Tuch joins Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that, yes, he has thought about what his lineup might look like when some of his injured players get healthy.

So Granato knows where he could put center Casey Mittelstadt and winger Alex Tuch, both of whom skated with the Sabres this morning, when they’re healthy. It was the first session with the Sabres for Tuch, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery.

Mittelstadt, who had his first contact ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski bounces back with two strong outings

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato needed to wait to make a decision. If goalie Dustin Tokarski experienced a heavy workload Friday, then he likely couldn’t have utilized him back-to-back nights.

But Tokarski faced just 11 shots over the final 40 minutes of the Sabres’ 4-1 home win. So Granato felt comfortable starting him again Saturday in Detroit.

“The workload late in that game was not too extensive for Dustin, and that factored in,” ... Read the full article

Sabres excited about adding Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs to young core

In trading ex-captain Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Buffalo Sabres acquired no immediate help for their lineup.

Winger Alex Tuch, who grew up in Baldwinsville rooting for the Sabres, is recovering from shoulder surgery. General manager Kevyn Adams said Tuch will likely be sidelined two more months.

Meanwhile, shortly after the deal was announced, the Sabres assigned center prospect Peyton Krebs, who has 13 games of NHL experience, to the Rochester ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Jack Eichel to Golden Knights for players, picks

The Jack Eichel saga ended this morning after nearly six months, with the Buffalo Sabres trading their disgruntled former captain to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for two players and two picks.

The Sabres received forwards Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch, a first-round pick in 2022 and a second-round pick in 2023 for the dynamic center. They also sent the Golden Knights a third-round pick in 2023. The first-rounder is top-10 protected.

The ... Read the full article

Former Sabres coach Dan Bylsma lands new job in minors

Ex-Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma on Tuesday landed a new job as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate the expansion Seattle Kraken will temporarily share with the Florida Panthers.

Bylsma, 50, left the Detroit Red Wings in May to pursue other opportunities after spending three years as an assistant on head coach Jeff Blashill’s staff.

As part of the agreement between Seattle and Florida, the Kraken provided an assistant coach ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kraken take Will Borgen in NHL Expansion Draft

If the Seattle Kraken hadn’t selected Will Borgen from the Sabres in Wednesday’s NHL Expansion Draft, he likely would’ve competed for a spot among Buffalo’s top-six defensemen next season.

Borgen, 24, was close to enjoying regular duty last season before breaking his forearm.

So after six years of development – the Sabres drafted Borgen in the fourth round in 2015, 92nd overall – he departed just as he was maturing into an NHL talent.... Read the full article

Kraken claim Will Borgen from Sabres in NHL Expansion Draft

The Buffalo Sabres have lost defenseman Will Borgen to the Seattle Kraken in the NHL Expansion Draft.

Borgen, 24, played 10 NHL games last season and likely would’ve enjoyed regular duty if he hadn’t broken his forearm. The Sabres drafted the American in the fourth round in 2015, 92nd overall.

After leaving St. Cloud State following his junior season in 2018, Borgen compiled four goals, 25 points and 132 penalty minutes in 130 AHL games ... Read the full article

NHL releases Sabres’ protected list for Expansion Draft

Sorry, Ron Francis, you won’t get a chance to snatch Rasmus Ristolainen for your Seattle Kraken defense corps. The Buffalo Sabres protected the Finn for Wednesday’s NHL Expansion Draft.

But if Francis, Seattle’s general manager, wants to grab a defenseman from the Sabres, he can take Will Borgen or Colin Miller, both of whom were left unprotected.

The Sabres’ 11-man protected list the NHL released Sunday morning features zero surprises. There had been speculation the ... Read the full article

Sabres could lose valuable young player to Kraken in NHL Expansion Draft

Since the Buffalo Sabres drafted Will Borgen 92nd overall in 2015, he has morphed from a relatively unknown prospect into a defenseman on the cusp of regular NHL duty.

The Sabres have guided Borgen’s development from his college career at St. Cloud State through his early pro days with the Rochester Americans to the big leagues.

Prior to breaking his forearm last season, Borgen, 24, appeared to be close to securing a spot on Buffalo’s ... Read the full article