Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres’ Kevyn Adams, Ralph Krueger know season will present challenges

Ralph Krueger’s ability to communicate with his players might be his greatest strength as a coach, so the idea of holding team meetings through Zoom or another video program doesn’t appeal much to him.

“Believe it or not, this is maybe how the odd team meeting will be happening this season,” Krueger said on a Zoom call Tuesday to discuss training camp, which opens Thursday when players report for testing and physicals.

In normal times, ... Read the full article

Sabres could have time to evaluate Dylan Cozens during training camp

In Team Canada’s opener at the World Junior Championship, Buffalo Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens helped the powerhouse demolish a short-handed German squad, scoring three goals and six points in a 16-2 victory.

“It’s a great start for him in the World Juniors, and I love the fact that’s he’s a go-to guy there,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday to discuss training camp, which opens Thursday.

But a night later, ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Riley Sheahan to PTO

Veteran center Riley Sheahan will be joining the Buffalo Sabres for training camp on a professional tryout contract, the team announced today.

Sheahan, 29, spent last season with the Edmonton Oilers, compiling eight goals, 15 points and a minus-14 rating in 66 games.

The Notre Dame product offers the Sabres depth down the middle and another penalty killer. The Sabres’ penalty killing ranked 30th last season.

“He’s a veteran … he has very good faceoff ... Read the full article

Sabres release training camp roster, schedule; 37 players to participate

On Friday, the Buffalo Sabres will touch the KeyBank Center ice for the first time in 296 days and begin preparing for the most unusual of seasons.

The NHL will be attempting to play during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will likely experience problems – positive tests, postponements or even cancellations – as the schedule unfolds.

But those potential roadblocks can be examined another day. The Sabres’ 10-month break is nearly over. Training camp officially ... Read the full article

Reports: Sabres place Jean-Sebastien Dea on waivers

The Buffalo Sabres placed forward Jean-Sebastien Dea on waivers today, according to reports.

Dea, 26, is entering the second season of a two-year, one-way contract worth $1.4 million.

The Sabres, of course, would probably like to shed Dea’s $700,000 salary. Teams have until noon Tuesday to claim him.

If Dea stays in the organization, he is expected to provide depth, perhaps on the new taxi squad the NHL has implemented because of the COVID-19 pandemic ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres’ Casey Nelson opts out of NHL season

Defenseman Casey Nelson, who has played 93 games for the Buffalo Sabres and spent last season with the Rochester Americans, has opted out of the 2020-21 season, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

As part of the NHL’s return to play, the league and NHL Players’ Association agreed to allow players to opt out if they’re concerned about the coronavirus.

The Sabres have the option to slide the one-year, two-way contract Nelson signed Oct. 22 ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens to fill in as Team Canada’s captain

Buffalo Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens will be taking turns with Bowen Byram filling in as Team Canada’s captain during the World Junior Championship in Edmonton.

Canada captain Kirby Dach fractured his wrist during an exhibition game Wednesday. Dach, a regular with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, will miss the entire tournament.

The Canadians open their schedule tonight against Team Germany, which boasts another Sabres prospect, forward J-J Peterka.

Cozens, a center the Sabres drafted ... Read the full article

Sabres’ 2020-21 schedule features 25 two-game series in same city

When the Buffalo Sabres open their 2020-21 schedule on Jan. 14 at home against the Washington Capitals, it will start a trend for the abbreviated 56-game season.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the NHL to limit travel, meaning teams will be staying in cities for multiple days and playing series against one opponent.

The Sabres’ opener kicks off a two-game set at KeyBank Center. They also host Washington the next night.

Their schedule, which the ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Casey Mittelstadt to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres locked up their last restricted free agent today, signing center Casey Mittelstadt to a one-year, $874,125 contract.

Mittelstadt, 22, struggled last season, compiling four goals, nine points and minus-5 rating in 31 NHL games before the Sabres demoted him.

In the AHL, Mittelstadt scored nine goals and 25 points in 36 outings but also generated a wretched minus-15 rating during his first stint with the Rochester Americans.

It’s unclear where ... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar thriving as freshman at Boston College

Les and Faye Kuntar wanted to support their oldest son, Trevor, and hopefully celebrate his selection by an NHL team.

A year earlier, Trevor Kuntar had gone undrafted. The snubs fueled him, and the extra year helped the Williamsville native to develop into a stronger prospect. So when the second day of the NHL Draft started Oct. 7, the Boston College freshman was expected to be a mid- or late-round pick.

His parents drove seven ... Read the full article