WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Dustin Tokarski played 42 games for Buffalo over two seasons. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres added depth in free agency this afternoon, signing two goalies – old friend Dustin Tokarski and Devin Cooley – and forward Justin Richards to one-year contracts.
All the players inked two-way deals worth $775,000 in the NHL.
Tokarski, 33, played 42 games for the Sabres over two seasons before signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins last year.
Right now, the Sabres have goalies Eric Comrie, Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen under one-way contracts, ... 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
Mark Pysyk played 68 games during his second stint in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
In past years, a slew of former Buffalo Sabres had difficulty finding work in free agency.
With few suitors on the open market, some settled for training camp tryouts while others went overseas or never played again.
So far this offseason, seven players who spent time in Buffalo last season have quickly landed new NHL contracts. Here’s an update:
Ilya Lyubushkin spent last season with Arizona and Toronto. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres have landed their first free agents of the day, signing goalie Eric Comrie and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to two-year contracts.
Comrie’s deal is worth $3.6 million. Lyubushkin’s is worth $5.5 million.
The Sabres, of course, needed to find another goalie with NHL experience. They had just two – Craig Anderson and Malcolm Subban – under contract for the upcoming season.
Ilya Samsonov could be interesting goalie for Buffalo to pursue. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres possess a stable of strong goaltending prospects.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, a Finn labeled as the Sabres’ goalie of the future, has looked impressive in his limited NHL action. While he has battled injuries and struggled at times in the minors, he’s still a terrific young talent.
The Sabres also boast Devon Levi, the NCAA’s top goalie last season at Northeastern, and drafted Topias Leinonen in the second round on Friday, ... Read the full article
Matt Murray won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – The Buffalo Sabres must keep looking for another goalie.
A potential deal between the Sabres and Ottawa Senators involving Matt Murray was nixed because Buffalo is on the goalie’s 10-team no-trade list, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
The Senators would’ve retained some of Murray’s salary and given the Sabres the seventh overall pick in tonight’s NHL Draft in exchange for the 16th selection, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
“The reality is we worked ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson could be Buffalo’s No. 1 goalie again. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When veteran goalie Craig Anderson finished his first season with the Sabres, he wanted to take some time to decompress and evaluate his future.
The Sabres felt Anderson’s impact – in addition to stabilizing their net, he established himself as a leader and mentor on the rebuilding club – and sorely wanted him back for another season.
But Anderson, 41, needed to talk to his family and see how his body felt before ... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald played his first 36 games with Buffalo this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres made three roster moves prior to Friday’s season finale against the Chicago Blackhawks, sending defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and goalie Aaron Dell to the Rochester Americans and recalling netminder Michael Houser.
The Amerks, who thumped the Utica Comets 8-1 in Friday’s regular-season finale at Blue Cross Arena, needed the victory to stay alive the AHL North Division playoff chase. Their defense has been decimated by injuries and recalls, so Fitzgerald’s arrival was ... Read the full article
Aaron Dell played 12 games with Buffalo earlier this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Craig Anderson is day to day with an undisclosed injury and will miss this afternoon’s game against the New York Islanders, coach Don Granato said.
Dustin Tokarski will start today at KeyBank Center. The Sabres this morning recalled Aaron Dell from the Rochester Americans to back him up.
Granato said Anderson, who has been experiencing soreness, did not like how he felt during Friday’s practice.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has experienced an inconsistent season in Rochester. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – When Matthew Peca jumped off the bench, one-timed a rolling puck and beat Americans goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen under his blocker, it felt like the Springfield Thunderbirds’ second goal in four minutes might be a killer.
Luukkonen, 23, knew the go-ahead goal from the left circle early in Tuesday’s second period was suspect.
“It was a rolling so I kind of got surprised at that, dipped a little bit so it went underneath by ... Read the full article
