WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
December Edition
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen joined Rochester earlier this month. ©2019, Hickling Images
TORONTO – On April 14 in Belleville, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played his 68th and likely final game this season, stopping 32 shots in the Rochester Americans’ 4-2 win over the Senators.
“It was a big thing for me, builds your confidence up a lot, especially looking to next season when you want to play in the pros,” the Buffalo Sabres’ top goalie prospect said of his pro debut.
Luukkonen, 20, has taken a backseat to ... Read the full article
Brandon Montour possesses some coveted talents. ©2019, Hickling Images
TORONTO – Buffalo Sabres newcomer Brandon Montour doesn’t turn 25 for another six weeks. Over his three NHL seasons, he has established himself as the rarest of commodities: a right-handed, puck-moving defenseman.
Still, the Anaheim Ducks, who have imploded this season, dished Montour to the Sabres on Sunday, a day before the NHL trade deadline.
Not surprisingly, Montour said getting dealt has put a chip on his shoulder.
“It’s one of those things where I ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill made a significant move Sunday night. ©2019, Hickling Images
TORONTO – On Sunday night, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill made a significant trade for this season, sending a 2019 first-round pick and defense prospect Brendan Guhle to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Brandon Montour.
Think about that, the Sabres, a team seemingly in perpetual rebuilding mode, dealt futures for an established NHL player before today’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.
But for the first time since 2011-12, the Sabres are in the playoff ... Read the full article
Scott Wedgewood has played 24 NHL games. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – With Sabres goalie Carter Hutton day-to-day with an upper-body injury and out for Saturday afternoon’s tilt, according to coach Phil Housley, they recalled Scott Wedgewood this morning.
What happened to Hutton? The starter finished Monday’s 2-1 loss in Nashville and backed up Linus Ullmark for Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss here to Toronto.
Housley said Hutton had a maintenance day Thursday.
“It was sort of formed the last three or four days,” Housley said ... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian is beginning his 11th NHL season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Since the Sabres are off today, defenseman Zach Bogosian plans to enjoy some tranquility and go fishing, one of his passions away from the rink.
Bogosian, who loves bass fishing, said he finds a special peace in himself surrounded by the quietness on the water.
“I get away from everything, everyone,” Bogosian said prior to Saturday’s 3-2 preseason loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs inside KeyBank Center, his first game action since Jan. ... Read the full article
Alexander has enjoyed a strong training camp. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coaches regularly jumble their preseason line combinations as they evaluate talent and move players in and out. What you see during exhibition games usually doesn’t stick together for the regular season.
Still, one intriguing trio the Sabres will utilize tonight could remain intact.
This morning inside KeyBank Center, coach Phil Housley assembled three first-round picks – center Casey Mittelstadt and Alexander Nylander and Tage Thompson – for the Sabres’ road tilt against the ... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander received a late-season recall from the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Shortly after the Sabres introduced first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin to the local media Monday, prospect Alexander Nylander emerged from the locker room clad in workout pants and a hoody and hopped on an escalator inside KeyBank Center.
Nylander, 20, was bound for HarborCenter, where he has been skating during a summer so significant it could decide his future.
“Probably the most important offseason of training in his young life, really,” Sabres assistant ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons has experienced plenty of losing with the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Way back on opening night, Oct. 5, the Sabres caused KeyBank Center to buzz with excitement for one of the few times in recent memory.
The Sabres’ new regime of coach Phil Housley, a Hall of Fame defenseman and Buffalo legend, and general manager Jason Botterill, who helped construct three Stanley Cup winners in Pittsburgh, had energized the fan base and offered hope.
Perhaps the Sabres wouldn’t make the playoffs in 2017-18, but ... Read the full article
Nick Baptiste has earned regular duty part of this season. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Casey Nelson believes the opportunity offers a “second chance.” In a few days, after the Sabres complete their disastrous season, about eight players will return to the AHL and begin the Rochester Americans’ first playoff series in four years.
“We all want nothing more than to win a championship,” the defenseman said Thursday inside KeyBank Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the start of a two-game, ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner played 53 games this season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Injured goalie Robin Lehner won’t accompany the Sabres on their season-ending two-game trip to Florida, according to the team.
Lehner has an expiring contract and was acquired by the team’s old regime, meaning his Sabres career could be over. A lower-body injury has sidelined him the last three contests.
In 53 games this season, Lehner went 14-26-9 with a 3.01 goal-against average and a .908 save percentage.... Read the full article