Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres re-sign Amerks star C.J. Smith to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forward C.J. Smith to a two-year, $1.4 million contract, the team announced today.

Smith, 24, was a restricted free agent.

The UMass Lowell product enjoyed a huge AHL season in 2018-19, compiling 28 goals and 58 points and a team-high plus-26 rating in 62 appearances with the Rochester Americans. He also earned multiple recalls to the Sabres, scoring his first two NHL goals during his 11-game look.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens to have procedure on thumb

BUFFALO – Top Sabres draft pick Dylan Cozens will undergo a procedure Wednesday on the thumb he injured during development camp, the team announced today.

The Sabres will provide an estimated recovery time later this week.

Cozens, the seventh overall selection last month, hurt his left thumb when defenseman Brandon Hickey hip-checked him during Saturday’s three-on-three tournament inside Harborcenter.

After Cozens, 18, got up from the ice, he removed his glove and examined his thumb, ... Read the full article

Former Sabre Patrik Berglund signs contract in native Sweden

Patrik Berglund, whose contract was terminated by the Buffalo Sabres after he suddenly left the team in December, will play hockey again this upcoming season.

The forward has signed a one-year deal with Djurgårdens in Stockholm, the Swedish Hockey League team announced today.

Berglund’s decision to quit the Sabres stunned the hockey world.... Read the full article

Jimmy Vesey should provide much-needed offense for Sabres

BUFFALO – General manager Jason Botterill never thought much about winger Jimmy Vesey’s history with the Sabres.

Botterill needed to add more scoring. The fact that Vesey once rejected the Sabres to become a free agent and join the New York Rangers wasn’t going to deter him from addressing a major need.

So on Monday morning, shortly before free agency opened, Botterill sent a third-round pick in 2021 to the Rangers for Vesey.

Besides, it ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Andrew Hammond, Curtis Lazar and others for depth

BUFFALO – As general manager Jason Botterill promised, the Sabres added a third goalie shortly after free agency opened Monday, signing veteran Andrew Hammond.

Hammond, whose one-year, one-way deal is worth $700,000, is best known for compiling a 20-1-2 record as a rookie with the Ottawa Senators in 2014-15 and earning “The Hamburglar” nickname.

Overall, Hammond, 31, has put together a 27-15-6 mark with a 2.31 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and four shutouts ... Read the full article

Jason Pominville could return to Sabres

BUFFALO – Before Jason Pominville returned to Montreal for the summer, the free agent winger and Sabres general manager Jason Botterill discussed his uncertain future.

Nothing was ruled out. They plan to keep the lines of communication open. So, yes, an 11th season with the Sabres is a possibility.

At the end of his 14th NHL campaign in April, Pominville, 36, hardly seemed ready to retire.... Read the full article

Sabres add depth, sign Andrew Hammond, Curtis Lazar and others

BUFFALO – As general manager Jason Botterill promised, the Sabres added a third goalie today, signing veteran Andrew Hammond to a one-year, $700,000 contract.

Hammond, 31, is best known for compiling a 20-1-2 record as a rookie with the Ottawa Senators in 2014-15.

Overall, Hammond has put together a 27-15-6 mark with a 2.31 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and four shutouts in 56 career NHL outings.

Hammond spent last season with the Iowa ... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Jimmy Vesey from Rangers for draft pick

BUFFALO – Three years ago, the Sabres’ old regime gambled a bit, trading a third-round pick to the Nashville Predators for the rights to the Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey.

But the high-scoring college winger rejected the Sabres, waited until mid-August to become a free agent and signed with the New York Rangers.

In his first trip to Buffalo as a rookie, Vesey, of course, was booed.

So the Sabres’ acquisition of Vesey ... Read the full article

Trades, not free agents, likely Sabres’ best option for improving roster

BUFFALO – The Sabres must examine every option to improve their weak roster, so, yes, general manager Jason Botterill acknowledged, they’ve discussed some of the top free agents on the market.

It’s no secret center Matt Duchene would fill a glaring need as the No. 2 pivot behind Jack Eichel.

For a few years, even as the Sabres kept struggling, their greatest strength was up the middle.

Most teams are lucky to have one top ... Read the full article

Colin Miller’s arrival could spell end of Rasmus Ristolainen’s Sabres tenure

BUFFALO – Just weeks after the Vegas Golden Knights’ unlikely run to the Stanley Cup final in 2018, new Sabres defenseman Colin Miller inked a four-year, $15.5 million contract with the expansion team.

Having agreed to a team-friendly deal – fresh off a 10-goal, 41-point season, he signed for just $3.875 million a year – Miller, 26, probably figured he was in Vegas’ long-term plans.

But the Golden Knights’ early success has started to wreak ... Read the full article