Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres reward Kevyn Adams, sign GM to multi-year contract extension

Barely two years ago, Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula took a huge risk by naming Kevyn Adams general manager.

Adams, who won the Stanley Cup as a player in 2006, had never worked in a hockey department when they hired the Clarence native on June 16, 2020.

But the Pegulas, having worked closely with Adams in other areas of their organization, felt strongly about his talents and leadership qualities. They wanted to utilize ... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Andrew Poturalski hopes to stick with Kraken after elite season

At 28, having played just four NHL games, Andrew Poturalski understands some teams view him as a tweener – too good for the minors but not quite big league material.

As he begins his seventh pro season, Poturalski, who signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Seattle Kraken on July 13, has developed into one of the most talented and decorated players in the minors or Europe.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Williamsville native enjoyed one of ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Filip Cederqvist uses heavy game to score goals

BUFFALO – Given his rookie status last season, Djurgardens’ former general manager figured Sabres prospect Filip Cederqvist would play a supporting role for the Swedish Hockey League team, perhaps on the third or fourth line.

But coach Barry Smith found wherever he put the 6-foot-3 Cederqvist in the lineup during the preseason, the youngster “was empowering” his teammates.

“He plays a power forward game, and because he plays a power forward game, he can really ... Read the full article

Lukas Rousek earning place among Sabres’ best forward prospects

BUFFALO – Having enjoyed a breakout stretch during the Rochester Americans’ long postseason run last spring, Lukas Rousek’s play no longer qualifies as a surprise.

In recording two goals and six points as the Amerks won two Calder Cup Playoff series, the Czech established himself as one of the Sabres’ notable forward prospects.

This year, the Sabres believe Rousek, 23, will keep making more significant strides in his development.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich impresses in debut: ‘Couldn’t have been happier’

BUFFALO – Forget that Jiri Kulich possesses a shot so lethal his coach described it as “scary.” Forget that the Sabres prospect has recently dominated his peers, scoring 17 goals over a torrid 16-game stretch. Forget that he already has a full season of pro hockey experience.

In a few weeks, following his first NHL training camp, the Sabres will likely assign Kulich to Rochester, where he will begin his North American career with the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyson Kozak stealing spotlight at Prospects Challenge

BUFFALO – As the Sabres killed a penalty early in the third period of Thursday’s Prospects Challenge opener, center Tyson Kozak grabbed the puck at the far blue line and zoomed down the left wing on a two-on-one.

When Kozak hit the circle, instead of passing to winger Linus Weissbach, he cut to slot before deftly backhanding the puck the into the net for the short-handed score.

The skill Kozak displayed in scoring his ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen showcases rapid development: ‘Ready to attack’

BUFFALO – Two months later, Isak Rosen has returned to the Sabres a more aggressive, assured and explosive prospect.

“He looks faster. He looks harder on the puck,” Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert said of Rosen’s rapid improvement since development camp ended in mid-July. “And his first step looks like it’s got either more pop or more assertiveness. So some of it’s physical.”

Rosen said prior to recording an assist in Thursday’s Prospects Challenge opener ... Read the full article

‘Electric’ Sabres rookie Matthew Savoie ready for Prospects Challenge

BUFFALO – Seth Appert smiled and began searching for the right words to describe his first impressions of Sabres prospect Matthew Savoie.

The coach settled on two.

“Just electric,” Appert said Wednesday.

Two months ago, a shoulder injury forced Savoie, the ninth overall pick on July 7, to stay off the ice during development camp. So Appert had to wait until rookie camp opened at LECOM Harborcenter to watch the ultra-talented center up close.... Read the full article

In Matthew Savoie, Sabres possess talented, unique prospect

The arrangement was unusual. Matthew Savoie would spend most of the 2019-20 season practicing with the Winnipeg Ice, learning the rigors of major junior hockey at the tender age of 15. But the phenom would be permitted to play just half of the team’s games.

Savoie, the ninth overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres on July 7, had applied to Hockey Canada for exceptional status, which would’ve allowed the ultra-talented center to join the Ice ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund turning heads in Sweden, scoring special goals

The night before Djurgardens’ recent exhibition game, Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund and his teammate, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, bet each other who would score the first “Michigan,” a lacrosse-style goal, this season.

The goal made famous by the Wolverines’ Mike Legg in the 1996 NCAA Tournament involves skill, timing and some luck. A player must lift the puck off the ice behind the net and quickly whip it over an unsuspecting goalie’s shoulder.

“(Ostlund) went out and ... Read the full article