Tuch - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Following trade and injury, Sabres’ Josh Norris settling into prominent role

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris experienced an unusual summer. For the first time in three years, he was healthy enough to enjoy a normal offseason of training.

“You kind of forget what it’s like to have a fully healthy summer and have to worry about anything physically,” Norris said following an early session of training camp in KeyBank Center. “So, yeah, I’m ready to go.”

Injuries have dogged Norris, 26, for years, limiting him ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch ready for preseason debut; Mattias Samuelsson injured

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Alex Tuch, who missed the first two days of training camp with an undisclosed injury, will be making his preseason debut this afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Meanwhile, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson could miss the game after sitting out Friday’s practice with an upper-body injury.

“We’ll have him evaluated,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center. “He had a good practice yesterday, and maybe that ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Bowen Byram aware of trade rumors during summer; Mason Geertsen Buffalo’s new ‘enforcer’

BUFFALO – You bet Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram heard his name repeatedly materialize in trade rumors during the offseason.

“I feel like I’ve been in trade rumors since I first came into the league,” Byram said Monday morning in KeyBank Center. “It’s not anything new for me. I definitely see them and whatever. But at the end of that day, I have a job to do in the summer, which is prepare for the upcoming ... Read the full article

After trade to Sabres, Conor Timmins could have career-changing chance

BUFFALO – OK, time for a quick pop quiz, Sabres fans. Does defenseman Conor Timmins’ career goal total eclipse the number of teams he has played for since breaking into the NHL in 2019-20?

The answer, of course, is yes, although by a slim margin. Timmins, a native of nearby St. Catharines, Ontario, has scored six goals in his 159-game career and played for five teams. He has been traded four times, including twice earlier ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch believes in Sabres, wants to sign contract extension with Buffalo

BUFFALO – In the coming days, weeks or months, winger Alex Tuch is expected to sign a lucrative contract extension that could allow him to retire with the Sabres.

For a team that has watched some of its high-profile players grow disgruntled in recent years and demand a trade or walk away in free agency, Tuch’s commitment would be significant.

“Everyone in here knows I love Buffalo, I love being a Buffalo Sabre and I ... Read the full article

Sabres hopeful Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen won’t be injured long; Jordan Greenway begins training camp sidelined

BUFFALO – As training camp approached and Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen began ramping up his workouts to get into game mode, general manager Kevyn Adams said the Finn started experiencing some pain.

“He was just not able to … be strong and push and (do) the stuff that he needs to do,” Adams said Wednesday in LECOM Harborcenter as players reported to camp for physicals and testing.

Adams said Luukkonen, 26, is day to day ... Read the full article

Sabres begin season facing questions about UPL’s injury and Alex Tuch’s contract extension

BUFFALO – Maybe the Sabres’ fan base is too busy reveling in the Bills’ early-season success to pay much attention. Or perhaps, more likely, many of their supporters have lost interest in a team that owns an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.

Whatever the case, there’s little buzz around the Sabres as they begin another season.

Players report today to KeyBank Center for physicals and testing. The first on-ice sessions will be held Thursday at LECOM ... Read the full article

Sabres stars Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch earn invites to USA Hockey’s Olympic Orientation Camp

Buffalo Sabres wingers Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch are two of the 44 players USA Hockey has invited to its Olympic Orientation Camp for the upcoming Milano Cortina Games.

The camp will take place August 26 and 27 in Plymouth, Mich. The Olympics start Feb. 5.

South Buffalo native Patrick Kane and former Sabres captain Jack Eichel, who in June was named to a preliminary Olympic roster, are also among the invites USA Hockey released ... Read the full article

While changes are possible, it appears Sabres will keep assistant coaches

ORCHARD PARK – Kevyn Adams said he has given Lindy Ruff the green light to change his staff. The general manager even noted the coach has spoken to people about joining the Buffalo Sabres.

But right now, it appears Ruff, 65, will bring back the assistant coaches he worked with last season, when the Sabres mustered 79 points and finished 14th in the Eastern Conference.

Most teams, of course, likely wouldn’t run back the same ... Read the full article

Fresh off career season, will Alex Tuch sign contract extension with Sabres?

BUFFALO – Over the final 30 games this season, Sabres winger Alex Tuch ranked among the NHL’s elite offensive threats, scoring a whopping 20 goals.

From Feb. 4 until April 17, that gaudy total tied for the most in the league with Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin, the most prolific goal scorer in history.

That’s elite company, for sure.

Tuch, who turns 29 on May 10, showcased remarkable consistency during that torrid stretch, never enduring ... Read the full article