Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Why did Sabres assign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Amerks?

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato wants goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to develop a rhythm with the Rochester Americans.

Starting Friday, the Amerks play six games over an 11-day stretch. Luukkonen will play the bulk of the contests, giving him an opportunity to find a groove again.

Luukkonen, 22, hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury Jan. 11 with the Sabres. After he was cleared to play Wednesday, they sent him back to the AHL.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Craig Anderson could be coveted before trade deadline

BUFFALO – At 40, an advanced age where most goaltenders have long been retired, Craig Anderson could be coveted before the upcoming NHL trade deadline.

For now, Anderson is the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, an incredible accomplishment in his 19th season. During his limited action this season – an upper-body injury recently sidelined him 32 games – the veteran has been the Sabres’ backbone, giving the rebuilding team a calming, consistent presence in the crease.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt encouraged after returning to practice

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt’s injury forced him to leave his last outing Jan. 30, he refused to let the thought enter his mind.

But considering what Mittelstadt has endured over the past four months – two upper-body injuries, the second of which necessitated surgery – it felt like his season could be in jeopardy.

“I would not let that enter my mind until I heard it,” Mittelstadt said Wednesday after returning to ... Read the full article

After rough season, rejuvenated Jeff Skinner again one of Sabres’ top threats

BUFFALO – It took time for Jeff Skinner to recapture his scoring prowess after enduring a miserable, career-worst season. The Sabres winger scored just once in the first eight games of what has become a terrific comeback year.

But from the get-go this season, Sabres coach Don Granato saw Skinner, 29, possessed confidence he would resolve his problems and was hellbent on becoming a go-to guy again.

Granato said Skinner began practicing and playing with ... Read the full article

Sabres receive good news about Casey Mittelstadt’s health

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that, yes, he was nervous about Casey Mittelstadt’s health. After undergoing surgery to repair an upper-body injury, the center left the lineup shortly into his second game back.

But when Mittelstadt, 23, recently visited his surgeon, he received good news. Granato said Mittelstadt, who had issues in the area of his surgery, will rejoin the Sabres for today’s practice in a non-contact role. The American has been ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospects from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning recalled center Peyton Krebs and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson from the Rochester Americans.

The 21-year-old prospects spent the NHL All-Star break in Rochester, where they each played two games for the Amerks.

The Sabres are set to practice again this afternoon at KeyBank Center, their first time together in a week.... Read the full article

Amerks’ Brandon Biro becoming elite scorer, one of Sabres’ top prospects

ROCHESTER – Brandon Biro doesn’t grab your attention like other Sabres prospects. In fact, it might take a little time to appreciate the undrafted center’s talents.

“I’m not like a flashy player or anything,” Biro told the Times Herald on Jan. 29 after scoring a goal in the Americans’ 4-2 loss to the Utica Comets at Blue Cross Arena.

The recent exploits of Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn can fill up a ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: NHL All-Star nod shows Rasmus Dahlin on right path

BUFFALO – For Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, earning a spot in the NHL All-Star Game is more than an honor. His first selection to the prestigious event is an affirmation.

“It’s very exciting and makes me proud, for sure,” Dahlin told the Times Herald following last Friday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter. “And then it makes me get more confident. It’s accepting that I’ve done stuff right.”

Over the past two months, Dahlin, 21, has ... Read the full article

Ex-Sabres coach Dan Bylsma energized by new job as Kraken’s assistant in AHL

ROCHESTER – Dan Bylsma laughed and processed the question a little longer. He started to answer it but stopped again to collect his thoughts.

After three lean years as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings, did the ex-Buffalo Sabres head coach need a new adventure?

“We were in a different spot in Detroit with the team and the players,” Bylsma told the Times Herald on Wednesday following the Charlotte Checkers’ 5-1 loss to ... Read the full article

Sabres waive goalie Michael Houser, make 10 other roster moves

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon waived goalie Michael Houser and assigned nine players to the Rochester Americans, including center Peyton Krebs and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.

The Sabres also reassigned defensemen Oskari Laaksonen and Jimmy Schuldt and forwards Brandon Biro, Brett Murray, JJ Peterka and Arttu Ruotsalainen from the taxi squad to the Amerks.

In addition, the Sabres sent goalie Aaron Dell, who cleared waivers Sunday, to their AHL affiliate. Dell just completed his three-game ... Read the full article