Strbak - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Radim Mrtka headlines Buffalo Sabres’ Prospects Showcase roster

Defenseman Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall pick in 2025, headlines the Buffalo Sabres’ 22-man roster for the upcoming Prospects Showcase against the Boston Bruins at LECOM Harborcenter.

The Sabres, who will hold their first practice this afternoon, host the Bruins at 5 p.m. Sunday and noon Monday.

The roster released Thursday features 11 draft picks, nine invites and three players on AHL contracts. The Sabres drafted Matteo Costantini but signed him to an AHL ... Read the full article

Sabres reassign top defense prospect to Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday reassigned top defense prospect Radim Mrtka from his junior team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, to the Rochester Americans.

Mrtka, the ninth overall pick in 2025, began the season in Rochester before the Sabres sent him to Seattle.

Seattle’s season ended Friday in the first round of the Western Hockey League Playoffs.... Read the full article

Sabres sign prospect Max Strbak to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday signed defense prospect Max Strbak, a second-round pick in 2023, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Strbak, 20, will be joining the Rochester Americans for the remainder of the season on an amateur tryout, meaning his deal will kick in next season.

His college career ended Saturday when Ohio State University defeated the Spartans 4-3 in overtime of the NCAA regional final.... Read the full article

Sabres need Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to recapture dynamic form of last season

BUFFALO – The goal outburst that helped the Sabres end their 13-game winless skid overshadowed goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar performance heading into the Christmas break.

Luukkonen, 25, quietly enjoyed one of his strongest outings this season in Monday’s 7-1 road win against the New York Islanders, stopping 27 shots and allowing one goal or less for just the fifth time in 24 games.

If the Sabres make an unlikely climb up the standings – they ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Patrick Geary growing into unique talent at Michigan State

BUFFALO – During their chats leading up to the NHL Draft, Hamburg native Patrick Geary told the Sabres that in the past, he had often played a raw, undisciplined game.

“He used the term that a couple of coaches used with him, he was a little bit of a cowboy on the ice at times,” assistant general manager Jerry Forton said June 29 after the Sabres selected Geary in the sixth round, 174th overall, at ... Read the full article

Mature Sabres prospect Max Strbak budding star at Michigan State

BUFFALO – What Sabres prospect Max Strbak accomplished as a true freshman at Michigan State is a bit unusual. Most defensemen don’t step into a major program and make an immediate impact at 18.

The Slovak played a significant role as the Spartans won the Big Ten championship and advanced to the NCAA regional final.

Naturally, some physical elements – for example, his 6-foot-2 frame and stellar skating – helped him quickly adapt to college ... Read the full article