Wahlberg - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Competitive style could help Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich earn spot

BUFFALO – Having scored 51 goals over two seasons in the minors and already earned a recall to the NHL, a strong argument could’ve been made prior to the Prospects Challenge that Sabres center Jiri Kulich had outgrown the rookie tournament.

Then Kulich, 20, performed dominantly over the three games, scoring five goals, including two in Monday afternoon’s finale, an 8-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in LECOM Harborcenter.

“He blew the doors off the ... Read the full article

Size, skill make Sabres’ Anton Wahlberg intriguing prospect: ‘Maybe a steal’

BUFFALO – Vinny Prospal listened to the question about Sabres prospect Anton Wahlberg’s brief stint with the Rochester Americans, leaned forward to the microphone and offered a one-word answer.

“Size,” a smiling Prospal said of what stood out about the youngster.

When Wahlberg, 19, arrived in Rochester late last season, his 6-foot-3, 198-pound frame quickly grabbed the assistant coach’s attention.

Among Amerks forwards last year, only 6-foot-5 Brett Murray was taller. Among drafted Sabres forwards ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi dazzles in playoff debut as Rochester grabs lead

ROCHESTER – Following the Calder Cup Playoffs, Devon Levi will likely bid adieu to the minors for good. In his brief time here, the Sabres prospect has morphed into the Americans’ backbone, emerging as one of the AHL’s elite goalies.

Next season, Levi, 22, is expected to graduate to Buffalo, where he will compete for playing time with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In the meantime, the rookie has an opportunity to lead the Amerks on a deep ... Read the full article

Maple Leafs beat Sabres as Toronto fans take over Buffalo: ‘We have to earn it’

BUFFALO – There’s a lot to unpack from Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a defeat that likely extinguishes the Sabres’ faint hopes of making a miracle run to the playoffs.

Mathematically, yes, the Sabres are alive. But forget about it. There are five points to make up and five teams to climb and just seven games left.

Saturday’s defeat illustrates how far the Sabres have fallen during a record-setting playoff drought about ... Read the full article

Sabres assign forward prospect Anton Wahlberg to Rochester, make other roster move

The Buffalo Sabres this morning assigned forward prospect Anton Wahlberg, who spent all season playing for Malmo in the Swedish Hockey League, to the Rochester Americans.

The Amerks, who are fighting for a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, have 11 games left, starting with this afternoon’s home contest against the Utica Comets.

Wahlberg, 18, compiled five goals and 10 points in 42 games with Malmo this season. He also recorded one goal and three ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons sees future in Buffalo, glad trade deadline passed

BUFFALO – Prior to Friday’s trade deadline, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams spoke to some teams interested in acquiring winger Zemgus Girgensons and likely could’ve received a late-round pick in exchange for the 11-year veteran.

But in Girgensons, Adams said he sees a player “so important within the fabric of this team.” After dealing captain Kyle Okposo and defenseman Erik Johnson, he couldn’t trade Girgensons simply because he has an expiring contract.

It sounds like ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson evolving in new role: ‘He’s become a better player’

PITTSBURGH – When you think of Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson scoring a goal, coach Don Granato said, you have a certain picture.

For much of the past five years, Olofsson has utilized his ultra-quick release and lethal shot, often from the circle area.

“You think of a certain spot on the ice where he opens up and it’s a one-timer,” Granato said following Wednesday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “It’s a shift slightly into the ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich captaining Team Czechia at World Juniors

Having already played in two World Junior Championships, won a silver medal and scored nine goals, Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich was the obvious pick to captain Team Czechia’s entry at this year’s tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The slick forward wanted to represented his country so badly that he asked the Sabres for permission to leave the Rochester Americans.

Kulich, 19, possesses the talent to enjoy a special tournament. His 16 goals this season are ... Read the full article

Sabres sign prospect Zach Benson to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday signed winger Zach Benson, the 13th overall pick this year, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

He’s the second prospect from the Sabres’ 2023 draft class to ink his deal, joining forward Anton Wahlberg, the 39th selection.

The contract has a $950,000 average salary cap hit – an $855,000 base salary and a $95,000 signing bonus – according to capfriendly.com.

Benson, 18, enjoyed a dynamic junior campaign with the ... Read the full article

After hot finish, Sabres prospect Ethan Miedema primed for breakout season: ‘A 40-goal man’

In the moments after Ethan Miedema’s dynamic four-goal outing that kept the Kingston Frontenacs’ playoff hopes alive, coach Luca Caputi could see the relief on the youngster’s face.

“It looked to me like the weight of the world came off his shoulders,” Caputi said of the Buffalo Sabres wing prospect.

For a season and a half, Miedema cut his teeth on the Windsor Spitfires, scoring 25 goals for the Ontario Hockey League powerhouse. He fit ... Read the full article