Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Ex-Sabres, Amerks defenseman Nathan Paetsch retires after 17 seasons

Former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nathan Paetsch, who also spent parts of seven seasons with the Rochester Americans over three stints, has retired, the AHL club announced today.

The popular Paetsch, 37, played 870 games over 17 pro seasons, including 157 contests with the Sabres. He compiled 23 goals and 100 points in 258 career games with the Amerks.

Paetsch, who would sometimes moonlight as a forward, embraced a new role when he returned to ... Read the full article

Former Sabres star Rick Vaive describes battle with alcohol in new book

In his new book, “Catch 22: My Battles, in Hockey and Life,” three-time 50-goal scorer Rick Vaive, who played four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, offers a thoughtful account of his struggles with alcohol.

For much of his life, Vaive, a Toronto Maple Leafs legend and former captain, combated his undiagnosed anxiety by drinking. But after a doctor prescribed him medication to treat the anxiety, he kept drinking.

As his 35th birthday approached, ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Ryan Johnson named to Team USA’s World Junior squad

Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Ryan Johnson has earned a spot on Team USA’s 25-man roster for the upcoming World Junior Championship.

USA Hockey announced the roster today.

Johnson, 19, has compiled zero goals and four assists in six games this season as a sophomore at Minnesota. The Sabres drafted Johnson 31st overall in 2019.

The American is the son of former NHL forward Craig Johnson.... Read the full article

Sabres prospects Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn earn spots on Team Canada

Buffalo Sabres prospects forward prospects Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn have earned spots on Team Canada’s 25-man roster for the upcoming World Junior Championship.

Hockey Canada, which paused the team’s camp on Nov. 25 for 14 days following two positive COVID-19 tests, announced the roster today.

Cozens, 19, won a gold medal in last year’s tournament, scoring two goals and nine points in seven games. The center, the seventh overall pick in 2019, is ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres’ value fell 4%, team endured huge losses in 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the Buffalo Sabres’ value dropping 4% to $385 million in 2020, according to Forbes estimates.

Only three NHL teams – the Arizona Coyotes, Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets – are worth less the than Sabres, who lost $10.9 million in 2020, according to Forbes.

Forbes tabbed the New York Rangers as the NHL’s most valuable franchise, worth $1.65 billion. Four other teams – the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal ... Read the full article

The Sabres began sending prospects to Cincinnati in 2017-18.

Reports: Cincinnati Cyclones, Sabres’ ECHL affiliate, to sit out season

The Cincinnati Cyclones, the Buffalo Sabres’ ECHL affiliate, will not play in the 2020-21 season, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek and The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski.

The Kalamazoo Wings and Idaho Steelheads will also sit out the season, according to Marek.

The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated minor league teams, which rely on gate revenue to operate.

On Nov. 18, the ECHL’s six-team North Division – the Adirondack Thunder, Brampton Beast, Maine Mariners, Newfoundland Growlers and ... Read the full article

Friendship with Colby Cave helped Sabres’ Matt Irwin handle demotion

It was the summer of 2015, and after spending three seasons with the San Jose Sharks, defenseman Matt Irwin felt a strong desire to return to the East Coast.

Having attended UMass for two years and developed three seasons with San Jose’s AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, Irwin felt comfortable in Massachusetts. When an opportunity materialized to the join the Boston Bruins as a free agent, he pounced on it, signing a one-year contract.

Irwin ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect J-J Peterka developing rapidly in Austria

It was just a small gathering at the rink. J-J Peterka’s family, agent and some personnel from EC Red Bull Salzburg gathered in the early-morning hours to watch the first round of the NHL Draft.

In NHL history, only five Germans had been first-round picks. But Germany has started producing elite talent, and this year, three forward prospects – Peterka, Tim Stutzle and Lukas Reichel – possessed the potential to be taken among the first ... Read the full article

Datsyuk-style game earning Sabres prospect Matteo Costantini notice

After completing their work at the rink Oct. 7, Matteo Costantini and four of his Penticton Vees teammates gathered in his billet family’s basement to watch the final rounds of the NHL Draft.

Having starred for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and developed in the Academy of Hockey at LECOM Harborcenter, Costantini knew the Sabres were interested in him.

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams ran both organizations until last year. Matt Ellis, Buffalo’s new director of ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Jack Quinn to three-year, entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres have signed first-round pick Jack Quinn to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.

Quinn, the eighth overall pick last month, scored 52 goals and 89 points in 62 games last season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s.

The winger is one of 46 players Team Canada has invited to its 2021 World Junior Championship training camp, which begins Nov. 26 in Red Deer, Alberta.

If Quinn doesn’t make the ... Read the full article