Thompson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ roster almost set; Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn to remain in Buffalo

BUFFALO – The 27 players who participated in Tuesday’s practice will start the season on the Sabres’ roster or taxi squad, coach Ralph Krueger said.

That means 19-year-old forward prospects Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, Buffalo’s last two first-round picks, will remain in the NHL for now.

Of course, the Sabres must sort some things out before Thursday’s opener against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center.

Krueger said center Curtis Lazar (lower-body injury) and ... Read the full article

Sabres switch up lines, move Tage Thompson up, Jeff Skinner down

After a 10-month layoff, the Buffalo Sabres play 10 games in an 18-day stretch, starting with Thursday’s season opener against the Washington Capitals.

That includes three back-to-back sets. The early stretch will be rigorous and likely test the Sabres’ depth. They’re going to have to roll four lines.

“Right now, we need to be a good four-line team early in the season,” Krueger said on a Zoom call Friday.

So Krueger, who pretty much kept ... Read the full article

Riley Sheahan has ‘soft spot’ for Sabres, sees opportunity in Buffalo

Sabres forward Riley Sheahan grew up about 30 miles from Buffalo in St. Catharines, Ontario, so he has carried what he called a “soft spot” for his new team.

Growing up, Sheahan would make the trip across the border to watch the Sabres or see them when they visited his hometown for training camp.

“I’ll be honest, I was a little bit of a (Toronto Maple) Leafs fan but Sabres tickets were more affordable and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson day-to-day after suffering upper-body injury

Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson suffered an upper-body injury when he crashed into the goalpost Saturday and is day-to-day, the team announced Sunday.

Tage Thompson practiced in Olofsson’s spot Sunday at right wing on the No. 1 line, according to reports from KeyBank Center.

Olofsson briefly left the ice favoring his right arm and wrist before returning to practice, according to The Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington. But Olofsson departed for good when the Sabres took ... Read the full article

Sabres release training camp roster, schedule; 37 players to participate

On Friday, the Buffalo Sabres will touch the KeyBank Center ice for the first time in 296 days and begin preparing for the most unusual of seasons.

The NHL will be attempting to play during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will likely experience problems – positive tests, postponements or even cancellations – as the schedule unfolds.

But those potential roadblocks can be examined another day. The Sabres’ 10-month break is nearly over. Training camp officially ... Read the full article

Reports: Former Sabre Johan Larsson signs two-year contract with Coyotes

Former Buffalo Sabres center Johan Larsson is going to take a paycut to join the Arizona Coyotes.

Larsson’s new two-year contract carries an average annual value of $1.4 million, according to Sportsnet. He had a one-year deal worth $1.55 million last season.

ArizonaCoyotesInsider.com first reported Larsson was close to joining the Coyotes as a free agent.

Larsson, 28, spent seven years in Buffalo, compiling 38 goals and 97 points in 392 games. The Swede was ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Tage Thompson to three-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed winger Tage Thompson to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $1.4 million, the team announced Monday.

Thompson, 22, was a restricted free agent.

The American suffered a season-ending right shoulder injury in his 2019-20 Sabres debut Nov. 17. Before earning that recall, he compiled six goals and 12 points in 16 games with the Rochester Americans.... Read the full article

Sabres fire GM Jason Botterill, name Kevyn Adams replacement

In a stunning move this morning, the Buffalo Sabres fired general manager Jason Botterill after three seasons and replaced him with Kevyn Adams, who had been serving as the team’s senior vice president of business administration.

“This morning, we informed Jason Botterill he will no longer be the general manager of the Sabres,” Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula said in a statement. “This decision was made after many candid discussions with Jason during ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jason Botterill would like to add forward before trade deadline

BUFFALO – Even after acquiring Michael Frolik earlier this month, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill would like to add another forward before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

The Sabres’ depth up front, of course, was weak before Vladimir Sobotka and Tage Thompson both suffered season-ending injuries in November.

Right now, Victor Olofsson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Evan Rodrigues has been a huge disappointment, scoring just two goals and often sitting out as a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson undergoes shoulder surgery, out five to six months

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tage Thompson’s season is over.

The Sabres announced this afternoon Thompson, 22, has undergone successful surgery on his right shoulder and will be sidelined five to six months.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Thompson, one of the Sabres’ top forward prospects, was injured in the waning minutes of his season debut Nov. 17, a 4-1 road loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.... Read the full article