Tokarski - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ryan McLeod’s three goals help Sabres beat Hurricanes; Buffalo records zero shots in odd third period

BUFFALO – In these parts, there are rarely normal games. The Sabres, you see, often make things interesting. They like to do things differently.

In beating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Wednesday, they took a 3-0 lead into the third period before gutting out a much-needed win despite recording zero shots on goal in the final 20 minutes.

How did the Sabres score late without the benefit of a shot? Well, as center Ryan McLeod ... Read the full article

Former Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski thriving with Hurricanes

BUFFALO – About to turn 35, an advanced age for a goalie, and coming off a season in which he played just 24 games for the Rochester Americans, Dustin Tokarski found few suitors on the open market.

Finally, in September, Tokarski signed a tryout to attend the Ottawa Senators’ training camp.

When the Senators released the former Sabres backup at the end of camp, he went home to Saskatchewan.

“Just waiting for an opportunity, and ... Read the full article

With UPL, Devon Levi in Buffalo, Sabres plan to add goalie depth for minors

BUFFALO – When the Sabres look for goaltending this summer, they want to add depth for their minor league affiliates, not any immediate help for the NHL.

General manager Kevyn Adams said the team’s net belongs to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 25, and Devon Levi, 22, next season.

“My plan is … we are going to have two real talented goaltenders playing on a nightly basis,” Adams said Thursday in KeyBank Center during media availability to discuss ... Read the full article

Seth Appert happy to join Sabres, work with Lindy Ruff; Rochester roster could look different next season

In his 27-year career, Seth Appert coached at just four places prior to his promotion to the Buffalo Sabres as an assistant. Instead of jumping at the next opportunity, he always chose to stay and build a program.

“I take a lot of pride in trying to create a culture, trying to build things the right way,” Appert, who on Monday was named to Lindy Ruff’s staff, said on a Zoom call Tuesday. “And I’m ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks’ ‘unreal group’ will change as players leave, join Sabres

ROCHESTER – Seth Appert believes each year, no matter how special of a group you had the previous season, you must start over. If a team comes together – that’s a big if – it takes time.

“If you think you can start where you left off the year before, you’re setting yourself up for massive failure,” the Americans coach said following Friday’s 5-2 season-ending loss to the Syracuse Crunch in Game 5 of the ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: JJ Peterka earning keep on top line; Michael Houser injured with Rochester

BUFFALO – Before JJ Peterka moved up last week, the left wing spot on the Sabres’ top line alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch had been a revolving door.

Jeff Skinner, who usually occupies that spot, has struggled and moved around the lineup. So coach Don Granato has utilized Jordan Greenway, Zemgus Girgensons and even Eric Robinson there this month.

Peterka, who scored an empty-net goal in Friday’s 5-2 win over the New Jersey ... Read the full article

Rochester signs Sabres goalie prospect Scott Ratzlaff to amateur tryout

The Rochester Americans on Wednesday signed Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Scott Ratzlaff to an amateur tryout.

Ratzlaff’s junior team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, did not qualify for the Western Hockey League playoffs.

Right now, the Amerks need another goalie. The Sabres recently recalled rookie Devon Levi. Meanwhile, veteran Dustin Tokarski did not play over the weekend after battling through an undisclosed problem in last Wednesday’s 6-5 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Update: Tokarski came off ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt’s status made trading for coveted Bowen Byram possible

BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams said he never shopped Casey Mittelstadt around the NHL. No, the Sabres general manager said, the center’s emergence made him a sought-after asset.

When other GMs called him to ask about Mittelstadt, his leading scorer, he made it clear he was willing to listen and think about possible scenarios.

Adams said he had been working for a couple of years to find a young, top-pair defenseman. Those type of defenders, of ... Read the full article

After recall and slump, Sabres prospect Isak Rosen scoring again for Rochester; Buffalo makes roster moves

ROCHESTER – What Sabres prospect Isak Rosen had heard about returning to the AHL following his first recall to the NHL turned out to be true.

To wit: when Buffalo summoned the Swedish winger in late November, he had recorded eight goals and a team-high 19 points in 16 games. Fresh off his strong rookie season, he had developed into one of the Americans’ drivers and top scoring threats.

Entering Friday’s road game against the ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie from Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled veteran goalie Dustin Tokarski from the Rochester Americans to give them some insurance in net.

Granato said the Sabres have been dealing with illness. They did not practice Wednesday as a precaution.

“With how certain guys felt, we needed to make sure we were covered for this morning in the event more flared up,” Granato told reporters in St. Petersburg.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start tonight’s road game ... Read the full article