Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Consistent action helping Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen find groove

PITTSBURGH – In his last three outings – one relief appearance followed by two straight starts – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has looked more the like the goalie the Buffalo Sabres expected to be their starter this season.

Entering tonight’s game against the Penguins, Luukkonen has compiled a 2-1-0 record with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage during that stretch.

After two injuries stymied him earlier this season, it appears the Finn, who will ... Read the full article

‘Fearless’ Beck Malenstyn playing gritty game, showcasing offensive flair

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn figures after his recent highlight-reel goal, about 20 to 25 people contacted him to share their excitement about the prettiest of his 14 NHL goals.

“I think they were probably just as surprised as I and everybody else in the building were at the time,” Malenstyn told the Times Herald following Tuesday’s practice in KeyBank Center.

While 6-foot-3, 209-pound Malenstyn chips in the occasional goal, his bread and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shines in win, could be seizing No. 1 job; Isak Rosen sent to Rochester

BUFFALO – It took more than six weeks – just over one-quarter of the season – for Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to make back-to-back starts.

The Finn missed time battling an injury, mind you. Still, if he was the best option most games, he would’ve taken over the net a long time ago.

The Sabres couldn’t wait for him to find his game, so he has been sharing time with Alex Lyon and rookie Colten ... Read the full article

Sabres waive goalie Alexandar Georgiev to terminate contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Sunday placed goalie Alexandar Georgiev on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

Georgiev, 29, plans to sign with Spartak Moscow, a Kontinental Hockey League, according to Hockey News Hub. He makes his home in Moscow during the offseason.

Terminating his deal will end an odd three-month tenure in the organization for the two-time NHL All-Star.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch steps up by creating goals; Bowen Byram avoids injury

BUFFALO – Following two pointless outings, Sabres winger Alex Tuch caught fire early in Friday’s blowout win, grabbing the puck behind the net and feeding Tage Thompson before the center adroitly found linemate Josh Doan at the net.

During a power play later in the first period, Tuch hit Bowen Byram from the right point as the defenseman crept into the slot.

In the second period, Tuch protected the puck along the wall in his ... Read the full article

Josh Doan, Alex Tuch help Sabres jump on Blackhawks early in blowout win

BUFFALO – After a loss so ugly it felt like it could kill any recent momentum they had generated, you wondered how the Sabres would respond against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Was it simply a one-off or the perhaps the start of a trend? Well, right now, after demolishing the Blackhawks 9-3 on Friday, Wednesday’s embarrassing 6-2 loss to the lowly Calgary Flames feels like a distant memory.

The Sabres, whose penchant for slow starts has ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jack Quinn confident he can start scoring; Buffalo trims roster

BUFFALO – Over the past month, Sabres winger Jack Quinn has often fought what he called “a battle I kind of have within myself.”

Quinn, 24, carried a 13-game goal drought into Friday’s contest against the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored his last goal Oct. 22, his third in the first seven games.

“I’m very frustrated I haven’t scored,” Quinn said Friday morning in KeyBank Center. “But there’s also some positives I am creating.”

Actually, Quinn ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff stresses Mason Geertsen still part of Sabres; Rochester’s Mike Leone takes brief leave of absence

BUFFALO – When the Sabres waived Mason Geertsen, coach Lindy Ruff, who helped bring the tough guy back to the NHL following a four-year absence, told him he’s still a part of the team.

It’s just that right now, carrying an enforcer is a luxury the Sabres, who must activate winger Jason Zucker from injured reserve before tonight’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, can no longer afford.

“We’ve got a long list of players that ... Read the full article

As Sabres get healthier, difficult roster decisions, even trade, could be made

BUFFALO – Waiving tough guy Mason Geertsen was the easy one. Difficult roster decisions loom for the Sabres as sick and injured players begin to return to the lineup.

By taking Geertsen, a healthy scratch 15 times this season, off the roster, they can activate winger Jason Zucker, 33, off injured reserve.

The Sabres, who host the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at KeyBank Center, sorely need Zucker. Their oldest and most experienced player has missed the ... Read the full article

Sabres make roster move by waiving Mason Geertsen

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon waived tough guy Mason Geertsen to create roster space, most likely to activate winger Jason Zucker from injured reserve.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Wednesday that Zucker, has missed the last eight games battling illness, will be available for Friday’s home game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

If Geertsen, 30, clears waivers, he will likely be assigned to the Rochester Americans.... Read the full article