Washington Capitals - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres bring in John Davidson as senior advisor; Buffalo makes minor trade

The Buffalo Sabres have added to their front office by hiring John Davidson, a popular former goalie and broadcaster who has spent most of the past 20 years working as a president of hockey operations, as a senior advisor, the team announced Monday.

Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, 60, and Davidson, 73, know each other well, having worked closely together with the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues.

Shortly taking over as president of ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch explains why he left Sabres for Capitals in sign-and-trade deal: ‘One of the toughest moments of my life’

Alex Tuch wants to keep the details of his departure from Buffalo private. The winger just made an agonizing decision, choosing to leave the Sabres in a sign-and-trade deal with the Washington Capitals a week before he could’ve become an unrestricted free agent.

“It was one of the toughest decisions of my life,” Tuch, who inked an eight-year, $84 million contract, said Friday on a Zoom call.

Before the Sabres heated up and roared to ... Read the full article

Sabres send Alex Tuch to Capitals in sign-and-trade deal

ORCHARD PARK – Barely nine months ago, as he began the final season of his contract, Alex Tuch said he would love to make Buffalo his long-term home. On Wednesday, with no chance to keep him, the Sabres traded the winger to Washington Capitals.

What changed since the start of training camp?

“I think that’s a question for him,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said hours before the Sabres dealt Tuch. “We wanted to sign him.”... Read the full article

Sabres won’t re-sign Alex Tuch, will try to trade his rights: ‘He’s moving on’

ORCHARD PARK – Winger Alex Tuch’s career with the Buffalo Sabres is over.

General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said this afternoon he’s looking to trade Tuch’s rights because he won’t be re-signing with the Sabres. Tuch, 30, can become an unrestricted free agent next Wednesday.

Update: The Sabres have officially traded Tuch to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a third-round pick and forward David Kampf.

Update: Tuch will sign an eight-year extension worth $10.5 million ... Read the full article

Sabres clinch playoff spot, end longest drought in NHL history

The longest postseason drought in NHL history is over. For the first time in 15 years, the Buffalo Sabres have clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Sabres secured their first spot since 2011 thanks to the New York Rangers’ 4-1 win this afternoon over the Detroit Red Wings.

Almost fittingly, a guy named Perreault – Rangers rookie Gabe Perreault, that is – scored a hat trick to help punch the Sabres’ ticket.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Luke Schenn teammates with another Doan; Alex Tuch misses game with injury

BUFFALO – Jeska Peczek recently told her husband, Sabres defenseman Luke Schenn, you can tell you’re getting old when a former teammate’s son welcomes you to your new team.

“At one point, it’s Shane Doan and his wife welcoming you to the team (the Arizona Coyotes), and next thing you know, it’s Josh and his girlfriend,” Schenn said Thursday prior to making his Sabres debut in a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres pummel Capitals early, struggle late as win streak ends

BUFFALO – As Tage Thompson kept firing away from the left circle, unleashing four consecutive one-timers late in the first period as the Sabres enjoyed a power play, the anticipation from the capacity crowd in KeyBank Center grew.

How often do you get to see one of hockey’s most lethal shooters let loose like that?

“I think they were tired,” Thompson said after a 2-1 loss ended the Sabres’ eight-game win streak. “It’s tough for ... Read the full article

Luke Schenn could debut for Sabres tonight; Alex Tuch nursing injury

BUFFALO – In his first session since Friday’s trade, veteran Luke Schenn this morning skated alongside Logan Stanley, a sign he will likely make his Sabres debut tonight against the Washington Capitals.

Before the Winnipeg Jets dealt the defensemen here together, Schenn and Stanley spent much of this season as partners, so it’s only natural to reunite them.

Still, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, who has entered playoff mode early, wouldn’t confirm Schenn’s presence in tonight’s ... Read the full article

Before trade, Sabres’ Sam Carrick paid dues to stick in NHL: ‘Never … gave up the belief’

BUFFALO – Long before center Sam Carrick played in the Stanley Cup final or made a fast impact with the Sabres, he would return to the minors following one of his brief and infrequent trips to the big leagues and wonder if he had played his last NHL game.

As his 30th birthday approached, Carrick, who joined the Sabres before Friday’s trade deadline, had played just 47 NHL games over parts of five seasons.

He ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stars in Sabres’ shootout win; Isak Rosen scores first NHL goal

BUFFALO – Two days before Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s splendid 33-save outing in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win, coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged the Finn, having recently missed so much time, likely wasn’t ready to be a big difference-maker.

Luukkonen, who on Saturday made just his second NHL start this season and first in a week, has spent most of the last two months battling two lower-body injuries.

In his absence, veteran Alex Lyon quickly emerged as ... Read the full article