The Sabres hired Ralph Krueger in May. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres to open training camp Sept. 12

BUFFALO – The Sabres will open their main training camp Sept. 12, when veterans report for physicals and testing, then hold their first on-ice sessions a day later at KeyBank Center, the team announced today.

The Sabres’ first camp under new coach Ralph Krueger will be a little different than past years. Most of camp will be held at KeyBank Center instead of Harborcenter, the team’s practice facility. Only three sessions – Sept. 15, 16 ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens underwent thumb surgery in July. ©2019, Erica Perreaux, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Top Sabres pick Dylan Cozens could miss Prospects Challenge

BUFFALO – Top Sabres draft pick Dylan Cozens, who underwent surgery on his left thumb in early July, isn’t listed on the 25-man roster for the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament the Sabres are hosting next week at Harborcenter.

The center prospect injured his thumb in development camp, just days after the Sabres selected him seventh overall June 21.

After Cozens, 18, had surgery, the Sabres said he would need two to three months to ... Read the full article

Matt Hunwick played only 14 games last season. ©2019, Hickling Images

Neck injury will sideline Sabres’ Matt Hunwick entire season

A neck injury will sideline Buffalo Sabres defenseman Matt Hunwick this season, general manager Jason Botterill announced this afternoon.

“After further medical evaluation this offseason, we unfortunately do not expect that Matt will be physically able to play this upcoming season due to a neck condition,” Botterill said in a statement.

Hunwick, 34, endured a rough 2018-19 campaign, his first with the Sabres. He hurt his neck working out last offseason, an injury that sidelined ... Read the full article

Jason Pominville wants to spend more time with his children. ©2019, Janet Schultz

Jason Pominville understands long career could be over

BUFFALO – Right now, it is business as usual for Jason Pominville. The popular winger is preparing for the upcoming season like he has a contract with the Sabres or another NHL team. Earlier this month, he and his family returned to Clarence from their summer home in Montreal.

Pominville, 36, said he feels he owes it to himself to stay ready in case an opportunity materializes he and his family can embrace.

“But ... Read the full article

Mike Ramsey spent 14 seasons with the Sabres. ©2019, Janet Schultz

Former Sabres captain Mike Ramsey enjoying life away from hockey

BUFFALO – Former Sabres captain Mike Ramsey usually offers the same answer when someone asks him what he’s up to these days.

“I tell people I’m writing a book, because everybody wants to know what I’m doing,” Ramsey said during Saturday’s Sabres Fan Fest at KeyBank Center, an event that celebrated the team’s 50th anniversary season. “‘What do you do with your time? I’m writing a book.’ And it stops them right away.”

So, what’s ... Read the full article

Henri Jokiharju won two gold medals last season. ©2019, Hickling Images

Henri Jokiharju impressed Sabres GM Jason Botterill before up-close look

BUFFALO – Sabres general manager Jason Botterill knew of Henri Jokiharju’s talents before he watched the defenseman up close during Team Finland’s run to a gold medal at the World Championship in the spring.

So even if Botterill hadn’t run Team Canada’s entry in Slovakia, the Sabres still might’ve dished winger Alexander Nylander to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Jokiharju on July 9.

“It certainly helps things out to see a player play on ... Read the full article

Rasmus Ristolainen compiled an NHL-worst minus-41 rating last season. ©2019, Janet Schultz

Sabres want to put Rasmus Ristolainen in ‘positions to have success’

BUFFALO – General manager Jason Botterill said he wasn’t surprised or disappointed defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen indicated in a Finnish interview last week he has asked the Sabres to be traded.

“There’s always stories coming out when players go back and … there’s stories from other organizations coming out of Finland and stuff, too,” Botterill said during Saturday’s Sabres Fan Fest inside KeyBank Center, an event that celebrated the team’s 50th anniversary season. “So those are ... Read the full article

The Sabres will wear their new jersey 13 times this season. ©2019, Buffalo Sabres

Sabres unveil 50th anniversary ‘Golden Jersey’

The Buffalo Sabres’ commemorative 50th anniversary jersey has been unveiled.

The white alternate “Golden Jersey” the Sabres released this morning “pays homage to the past and celebrates 50 years of NHL hockey in Buffalo,” according to the team.

It will be worn 13 times at home during the 2019-20 season.

The jersey features the Sabres’ regular logo in fluorescent gold and navy blue. Five stripes – four gold and one navy – adorn the sleeves ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel gives the Sabres some star power. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres to appear on national TV five times in 2019-20

The Buffalo Sabres will make five appearances on national television during the 2019-20 season, the NHL announced today.

The schedule:

Friday, Nov. 8 vs. Tampa Bay, NBC Sports Network, 2 p.m. (Global Series)

Tuesday, Dec. 10 versus St. Louis, NBCSN, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Toronto, NBCSN, 7 p.m.... Read the full article

Linus Ullmark had an arbitration hearing Friday. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres re-sign goalie Linus Ullmark, go over salary cap

BUFFALO – The Sabres have gone over the NHL’s $81.5 million salary cap, according to capfriendly.com.

It appears re-signing goalie Linus Ullmark to a one-year, $1.325 million contract Saturday put them over. But it had been expected the Sabres would exceed the cap as they inked their restricted free agents.

Earlier Saturday, the Sabres avoided arbitration with Jake McCabe, re-signing the defenseman to a two-year, $5.7 million contract. McCabe’s hearing was scheduled for today.... Read the full article