Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres newcomer Michael Frolik arrives in Buffalo ready for new opportunity

BUFFALO – Michael Frolik’s whirlwind Tuesday started around 6:30 a.m. in Toronto. After waking up, the Sabres newcomer headed to the U.S. Embassy.

After a trip back to the hotel, Frolik returned around 3 or 4 p.m. and picked up his visa – he said it was approved in just one day – and left for Buffalo. But traffic added nearly an hour to the drive, so the Czech arrived around 7:30 p.m.

Five days ... Read the full article

Lawrence Pilut could have opportunity to stick with Sabres

BUFFALO – Before the Sabres departed for Sweden in early November, they recalled defenseman Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans for some insurance.

While Pilut, 24, did not play overseas, he practiced, giving Sabres coach Ralph Krueger an opportunity to watch the slick prospect up close for the first time.

Despite missing all of training camp as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery, Pilut, who was recalled Tuesday, had made a positive early impression ... Read the full article

Michael Frolik hasn’t joined Sabres; Jake McCabe out against Blues

BUFFALO – Five days after the Sabres acquired Michael Frolik from the Calgary Flames, the Czech still hasn’t joined his new team.

Frolik, 31, is still going through the immigration process, according to the team.

“We’re hoping that that all goes well and that he joins us tomorrow, but we won’t know that until some other issues are cleared up this afternoon,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said following today’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “Of course, ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Lawrence Pilut from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled defenseman Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Pilut, 24, has enjoyed a strong season with the Amerks, scoring five goals and 21 points in 29 games.

The Swede recently earned his second straight selection to the AHL All-Star Classic.... Read the full article

Top Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen named ECHL All-Star

Top Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been named an ECHL All-Star with the Cincinnati Cyclones, the league announced today.

The Finnish rookie has been stellar for the Cyclones, compiling an 11-4-3-2 record with a 2.09 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and three shutouts in 18 games.

The Sabres sent Luukkonen, a second-round pick in 2017, 54th overall, to the Cylones in November after he recovered from surgery on his hips.... Read the full article

Sabres send Dalton Smith to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent winger Dalton Smith back to the Rochester Americans today.

Smith, 27, made his NHL debut in Tuesday’s 6-4 home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, skating 86 seconds a day after the Sabres signed him to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Sabres scratched the tough guy the next two games.... Read the full article

Sabres use special teams, secondary scoring to beat Panthers

BUFFALO – By the final minutes of Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win, most of the crowd of 17,731 had seen enough of the Sabres and departed KeyBank Center.

It was nothing against them. The spirited fans enjoyed the Sabres’ second straight victory – it was one of the noisiest contests this season – but they had somewhere to go.

The Bills’ AFC Wild Card game against the Houston Texans would be starting soon, and fans wanted ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Scott Wilson rewarded for strong start with Amerks

BUFFALO – After winger Scott Wilson broke his right ankle in training camp last season and missed the first three months, he spent five weeks in the minors.

While Wilson, 27, made it back to the NHL – he played 15 late-season games with the Sabres – his recovery was far from over.

“Really dealing with that ankle was a full-year thing for me,” said Wilson, who was injured Sept. 30, 2018.

So when the ... Read the full article

Wayne Primeau on Sabres’ Dalton Smith: ‘He never gave up, he never quit’

BUFFALO – For the second straight game, Sabres winger Dalton Smith skated in the pregame warm-up before being scratched.

If Smith, 27, had played in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers, his uncle, former Sabres forward Wayne Primeau, could’ve seen his second NHL game.

On Monday, the Sabres signed Smith to an NHL contract and promoted him from the Rochester Americans. After 400 minor league games, the tough guy made his NHL debut ... Read the full article

Michael Frolik looking forward to fresh start with Sabres

BUFFALO – Like a lot of NHL players, Michael Frolik’s role started changing after he turned 30. His minutes dropped. He even became a healthy scratch.

After spending most of his tenure with the Calgary Flames skating on the second line with Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk, the Czech winger often played under 10 minutes this season.

“I wasn’t really happy with my role,” Frolik, 31, said on a conference call Friday to discuss his ... Read the full article