WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Craig Anderson is beginning his 20th NHL season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In Craig Anderson, Sabres coach Don Granato sees a passionate veteran goalie who understands the end is nearing.
“Craig is a guy that’s very connected to his love of the game, and he sees, hey, my career’s coming to an end, I’m clear and definitively going to miss this, so I’m going to love what I’m going to miss,” Granato said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators ... Read the full article
Mattias Samuelsson has played just 54 NHL games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The sample size is small, just 54 games over parts of two NHL seasons. Still, it was enough to convince the Sabres that defenseman Mattias Samuelsson deserved a seven-year, $30 million contract extension.
The massive deal, announced Wednesday shortly after the Sabres extended coach Don Granato’s contract, certainly raised some eyebrows.
But the Sabres don’t feel it’s a risky move. In the 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson, a top-pair defender, they believe they possess a ... Read the full article
Don Granato joined Buffalo as an assistant coach in 2019. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The new contract the Sabres awarded coach Don Granato illustrates the much-needed stability they’ve developed under general manager Kevyn Adams.
Over the past six weeks, Adams, Granato, leading scorer Tage Thompson and top-pair defenseman Mattias Samuelsson have all signed extensions.
On Wednesday, the eve of the season opener, the Sabres announced Granato’s “multi-year” contract and Samuelsson’s seven-year, $30 million deal within an hour.... Read the full article
The Sabes are confident JJ Peterka (left) and Jack Quinn will keep developing in the NHL. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres rookie JJ Peterka stood before the media in his sweat-soaked practice uniform, a smile etched on his face.
On Monday, general manager Kevyn Adams called Peterka, 20, and Jack Quinn, 21, and informed them they had earned a spot in the Sabres’ opening night lineup.
Two years ago, after drafting Quinn eighth overall, Adams moved up to take Peterka with the 34th pick after the German surprisingly fell out of ... Read the full article
Vinnie Hinostroza re-signed with Buffalo during the summer. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres scratched Victor Olofsson for Tuesday’s preseason game, so Vinnie Hinostroza earned a promotion to the top line, skating at right wing beside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner.
Early in the 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, Hinostroza grabbed a nifty pass from Skinner high in the slot and roofed a shot in as he zoomed to the net.
On Wednesday, the Sabres, having lost Kyle Okposo to an upper-body ... Read the full article
Jack Quinn played his first two games with Buffalo last season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Early in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory, Sabres prospect Jack Quinn aggressively cut from the left wing into the slot, zipped by a defender and released a low, hard shot toward the far side from one knee.
While Quinn, 21, did not score – Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov made a terrific pad save – the slick play illustrated the youngster’s burgeoning confidence.
“That’s just my game,” Quinn said following Wednesday’s session of training camp ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson scores a breakaway goal Tuesday on Carolina goalie Pyotr Kochetkov. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson pounced on Jalen Chatfield, making the defenseman pay for his open-ice hit on winger Vinnie Hinostroza early in Tuesday’s 4-2 preseason win over the Carolina Hurricanes’ junior varsity squad.
In fighting Chatfield 15:41 into the game, Thompson quickly completed a Gordie Howe hat trick – he scored a goal and recorded an assist earlier in the period – and further illustrated the tight-knit group the Sabres have become.
Thompson, ... Read the full article
JJ Peterka has registered one assist in three preseason games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato said it’s only natural that Sabres rookie JJ Peterka might be pressing as he battles to earn a roster spot out of training camp.
So far, Peterka, 20, has had an underwhelming preseason, registering just one assist in three outings.
“I would love to score a little bit more right now,” Peterka said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “But for me, it’s just trying to find my game and getting ... Read the full article
JJ Peterka could start the season in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After reassigning 23 players over the weekend, the Sabres nearly have their regular-season roster set.
On Monday, 28 players – 15 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goalies – practiced inside KeyBank Center. The Sabres held one session for the first time in training camp.
They must finalize their 23-man roster by 5 p.m. next Monday.
The Sabres, who have two preseason games left, starting with tonight’s home contest against the Carolina Hurricanes, have ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has looked sharp this preseason. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s terrific 32-save outing in Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 preseason win likely won’t sway the Sabres. They decided months ago that the Finn, a prospect labeled as their goalie of the future, should start the season in the minors.
So as they trim their training camp roster in the coming days, they’ll almost certainly assign the him to Rochester, where he will carry the load for the Americans.
Buffalo’s net, at least early ... Read the full article
