Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Slick defenseman Cale Makar attractive NHL Draft prospect for Sabres

BUFFALO – For NHL scouts, Cale Makar, the slick youngster who vaulted up draft boards earlier this year, has been a known talent for years. For fans, however, it might seem like the defenseman came out of nowhere to enjoy a dynamic 24-goal, 75-point season.

That, of course, can happen when you play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.... Read the full article

Top prospect Nolan Patrick grew up rooting for Sabres

BUFFALO – Growing up in Winnipeg, top prospect Nolan Patrick’s allegiance changed whenever his uncle, former NHL player and coach James Patrick, switched teams. So for most of his childhood, he rooted for the Sabres.

“Buffalo was my favorite team growing up,” Patrick said this afternoon following fitness testing at the NHL Scouting Combine inside HarborCenter. “I watched them a lot. It was mostly my favorite team just because he was coaching there, so I ... Read the full article

Prospect Casey Mittelstadt took unusual path to NHL Draft

BUFFALO – For years, it was a family tradition. Dede and Tom Mittelstadt would take their son, Casey, out of school in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, so they could drive to St. Paul and watch the state high school hockey tournament.

For those unfamiliar with high school hockey’s wild popularity in Minnesota, the best comparison would probably be football in Texas. Almost 20,000 fans pack the Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild, to see ... Read the full article

Sabres pass on signing Giorgio Estephan

BUFFALO – The Sabres have apparently passed on signing center prospect Giorgio Estephan.

NHL teams had until 5 p.m. today to ink their 2015 non-collegiate draft picks to entry-level contracts. While a late contract announcement could be made, it is highly unlikely.

Estephan, 20, enjoyed a big junior season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2016-17, scoring 35 goals and 89 points in 68 games. He added 11 goals and 24 points in 18 playoff ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Cal Petersen leaves school; Giorgio Estephan still unsigned

Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Cal Petersen announced Wednesday he will forego his final season of NCAA eligibility with Notre Dame and sign a pro contact this summer.

Now, does that mean Petersen, 22, will sign with the Sabres, who drafted him in the fifth round, 129th overall, in 2013? Not necessarily.

The Sabres have 30 days to sign Petersen, one of the NCAA’s best goalies and the Fighting Irish’s captain, or they lose his rights. ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie prospect Cal Petersen to turn pro

Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Cal Petersen announced this afternoon he will forego his final season of NCAA eligibility with Notre Dame and sign a pro contact this summer.

Now, does that mean Petersen, 22, will sign with the Sabres, who drafted him in the fifth round, 129th overall, in 2013? Not necessarily.... Read the full article

Report: Sabres interview Bob Boughner for coaching job

Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill interviewed San Jose Sharks assistant Bob Boughner for the team’s vacant head coaching job Tuesday, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

The Sabres haven’t had a coach since firing Dan Bylsma with GM Tim Murray on April 20.

Boughner, 46, has spent the last two seasons as an assistant in San Jose. He previously spent eight seasons coaching the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires, winning two championships. He was also ... Read the full article

Sabres fire Amerks coach Dan Lambert

The Buffalo Sabres fired Rochester Americans coach Dan Lambert today, ending his one-year run with the AHL affiliate.

Given Lambert, 47, was hired by former general manager Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma, who were fired April 20, new Sabres GM Jason Botterill was almost expected to make the move.

“I would like to thank Dan for his hard work and contributions to our organization during the last two seasons and I wish him the ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Victor Antipin to bolster defense

BUFFALO – Defenseman Victor Antipin has officially joined the Sabres.

More than two months after it was first reported Antipin would leave the KHL for the NHL, the Sabres signed the 24-year-old to a one-year, entry-level contract today.

“Victor is a well-rounded defenseman who has played in all situations at the pro level,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said in a statement. “His mobility and puck-moving skills make him a perfect match for what we’re ... Read the full article

Sabres sign ECHL affiliation agreement with Cincinnati

For three seasons in the early 1970s, Buffalo Sabres prospects developed with the Cincinnati Swords. Players like Rick Dudley, Bill Hajt and Craig Ramsay graduated to the NHL from the AHL affiliate.

Now, more than 40 years later, Buffalo will again send some prospects to Cincinnati. The Sabres have signed an affiliation agreement with the city’s ECHL team, the Cyclones, the team announced today.... Read the full article