Thompson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Confident and healthy, Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt ready for breakout season

BUFFALO – Early in his career, Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt never thought he would someday go golfing with his general manager. But there he was recently, sharing the course with Kevyn Adams.

On the final hole, Mittelstadt and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin each birdied, giving their team a victory over Adams’ trio.

Besides some healthy competition, the outing offered Adams and the players an opportunity to bond outside of the rink.

Mittelstadt, 23, enjoyed getting to ... Read the full article

After signing big contract, Sabres’ Tage Thompson motivated to keep growing

BUFFALO – Since center Tage Thompson signed a surprising seven-year, $50 million extension, general manager Kevyn Adams has often been asked why the Sabres gave such a huge contract to someone who has enjoyed just one standout season.

Heck, even Thompson, 24, seems a little surprised he earned the deal, which he signed Aug. 30 and begins next season.

“It’s a huge leap of faith from the organization and management,” Thompson said Thursday following ... Read the full article

Talent, maturity helped Sabres’ Tage Thompson earn massive contract

Talent is just one part of the equation that convinced the Buffalo Sabres to award Tage Thompson a seven-year, $50 million contract extension.

The deal, announced early Tuesday evening, raised some eyebrows. Yes, Thompson, 24, is coming off a breakout 38-goal season in which he morphed into the Sabres’ top scoring threat and No. 1 center. Still, he hadn’t scored more than eight goals in a campaign prior to last year.

The 6-foot-7 Thompson also ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Tage Thompson to huge long-term contract extension

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday rewarded Tage Thompson for his breakout 38-goal season, signing the center to a seven-year, $50 million contract extension.

Thompson, 24, is entering the final season of a three-year, $4.2 million deal. He could’ve become a restricted free agent following the 2022-23 campaign.

The Sabres, of course, view Thompson, their leading scorer last season, as one of their cornerstones of the future.... Read the full article

Sabres agree to terms with Victor Olofsson on two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres today locked up their most significant restricted free agent, agreeing to terms with winger Victor Olofsson on a two-year, $9.5 million contract.

Olofsson, who turns 27 next Monday, finished last season on a tear, compiling 15 goals and 28 points over his final 34 games. He also enjoyed a hot start, scoring five goals and nine points in the first seven games.

If Olofsson hadn’t suffered a wrist injury in early ... Read the full article

Sabres draft centers Matthew Savoie, Noah Ostlund and Jiri Kulich

MONTREAL – Centers are perhaps the most precious commodity in hockey, and the Buffalo Sabres had built up an impressive stockpile of them before they selected Matthew Savoie ninth overall, Noah Ostlund 16th and Jiri Kulich 28th at the NHL Draft on Thursday.

In 18-year-old youngsters, the Sabres picked three of the most talented pivots in the draft and added to perhaps the league’s deepest group.

In the NHL, the Sabres have skilled centers Dylan ... Read the full article

Sabres discussing new Victor Olofsson contract, to talk to Ryan Johnson’s representatives

MONTREAL – General manager Kevyn Adams said on Wednesday the Buffalo Sabres have been working on a new contract with winger Victor Olofsson, the team’s most prominent restricted free agent.

“We’re in a good spot here,” Adams said inside the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, the team’s headquarters ahead of the NHL Draft. “Mark Jakubowski, who does a lot of our lead in the negotiating side, has had some good conversations as of late with ... Read the full article

After special season in Buffalo, Sabres’ Alex Tuch wants to reach higher level

BUFFALO – Nearly seven months later, the novelty of playing for the Sabres, the team he passionately rooted for growing up, hasn’t worn off for winger Alex Tuch.

In the back of his mind, Tuch had hoped an opportunity to join the Sabres would materialize someday, perhaps at the end of his career. Then on Nov. 4, the Vegas Golden Knights sent him to Buffalo as part of the blockbuster Jack Eichel trade.

Tuch, ... Read the full article