Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres prospect Lawrence Pilut ‘unavailable’ for AHL All-Star Classic

Rochester Americans defenseman Lawrence Pilut will be “unavailable” for Monday’s AHL All-Star Classic, the league announced today, meaning the Buffalo Sabres likely plan to recall the Swede early next week.

Syracuse Crunch defenseman Cameron Gaunce will replace Pilut, who was sent to Rochester when the Sabres began their bye week Sunday.

Following eight days off – the NHL All Star break begins Thursday – the Sabres practice again Monday.... Read the full article

Amerks send Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to ECHL

The Rochester Americans sent top Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen back to the ECHL today.

Luukkonen, 20, joined the Amerks on Jan. 12 and started two of their three games over the weekend, his first AHL appearances this season.

Amerks general manager Randy Sexton had said Luukkonen’s recall from the Cincinnati Cyclones would likely last a week.... Read the full article

Sabres send Rasmus Asplund, Scott Wilson and Lawrence Pilut to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres sent forwards Rasmus Asplund and Scott Wilson and defenseman Lawrence Pilut back to the Rochester Americans this morning.

The Sabres’ bye week, which started today, and the NHL All-Star break are back-to-back, so they have eight straight days off. They don’t play again until Jan. 28.

Asplund scored one goal and three points in 28 games during his first NHL stint. The Swede, 22, recently subbed on the top line for injured ... Read the full article

Curtis Lazar earning keep with Sabres: ‘I am an NHL player’

BUFFALO – In the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, Sabres center Curtis Lazar couldn’t get off the ice.

Lazar’s marathon shift began with 2:18 left in the third period and the Sabres clinging to a one-goal lead. Following an icing and a timeout, the play kept going and going as the Golden Knights pressed with the extra attacker.

“We knew what we had to do,” Lazar said following Wednesday’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen impressing in front of net on power play

BUFFALO – Over the last four seasons, Rasmus Ristolainen has averaged 36 assists. No one should be surprised the Sabres defenseman can pass the puck well.

Still, seeing Ristolainen help create winger Sam Reinhart’s power-play goal in Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights looked unusual.

Ristolainen dished the puck from the front of the net, his new position on the power play.

“I feel everyone was kind of joking and surprised I can ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel’s ‘moment of brilliance’ helps Sabres beat Golden Knights

BUFFALO – For two periods, the Vegas Golden Knights stymied Sabres captain Jack Eichel, keeping one of the NHL’s most dynamic stars in check.

In the opening 40 minutes Tuesday, Eichel registered zero shots on goal and committed an uncharacteristic gaffe, telegraphing an ill-advised pass from deep in his own.

“I definitely made some bad turnovers,” Eichel said after scoring a scintillating game-winning goal late in the Sabres’ 4-2 victory inside KeyBank Center.

While the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons scoring goals, feeling confident on top line

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons occasionally flashes some of the skills that helped make him the 14th overall pick in 2012.

In Sunday’s 5-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings, Girgensons utilized his soft hands to score on a short-handed breakaway. In Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, he tipped linemate Kyle Okposo’s laser in, briefly tying the game.

In 46 games this season, Girgensons has compiled eight goals, his highest total since ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson undergoes shoulder surgery, out five to six months

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tage Thompson’s season is over.

The Sabres announced this afternoon Thompson, 22, has undergone successful surgery on his right shoulder and will be sidelined five to six months.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Thompson, one of the Sabres’ top forward prospects, was injured in the waning minutes of his season debut Nov. 17, a 4-1 road loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.... Read the full article

Colin Miller struggling to adjust, earn playing time with Sabres

BUFFALO – In Vegas, Colin Miller spent two seasons as one of the Golden Knights’ top defensemen, eating up minutes and piling up points.

But Miller, who will return tonight against his old team after sitting out two straight games, hasn’t secured a regular spot with the Sabres. Their biggest offseason acquisition – they traded Vegas two draft picks – has been a healthy scratch 14 times.

When Miller has played, he has often ... Read the full article

Sabres at 50: Pierre Turgeon could be Buffalo’s next Hall of Famer

BUFFALO – The gaudy numbers former Sabres star Pierre Turgeon racked up during his prolific NHL career could land him in the Hockey Hall of Fame someday.

A strong argument can be made Turgeon, who retired in 2007, ranks among the best candidates still waiting for the call.

“I hear about it, a lot of people are talking,” Turgeon said of the Hall of Fame.

In 1,294 games over 19 seasons, Turgeon scored a whopping ... Read the full article