Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres lose Owen Power to injury; Jiri Kulich ready to play

BUFFALO – Make that three injured defensemen for the Sabres.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Owen Power missed Tuesday’s practice with a strain and is day to day. He joins defensemen Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson on the sideline.

Ruff said Byram, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Saturday afternoon’s exhibition game, skated on his own Tuesday. Samuelsson is week to week with an upper-body injury.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson, Bowen Byram sidelined by injuries

BUFFALO – Following a trying season, oft-injured Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson enjoyed a productive summer and looked impressive early in training camp, coach Lindy Ruff said.

But Samuelsson, 25, has already been sidelined.

Ruff said on Monday the American re-aggravated an upper-body injury and is week to week. He hasn’t practiced since Thursday.... Read the full article

Sabres send two players to Rochester, make recall

BUFFALO – The Sabres today assigned defenseman Zac Jones and forward Jake Leschyshyn to the Rochester Americans and recalled defenseman Vsevolod Komarov from their AHL affiliate.

Jones, 24, and Leschyshyn, 26, must clear waivers.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said some defensemen “probably outplayed” Jones, who has 115 games of NHL experience.

“I think we know what he is,” Ruff said following today’s practice in KeyBank Center. “I think he’s really good with the puck, he’s ... Read the full article

Following trade and injury, Sabres’ Josh Norris settling into prominent role

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris experienced an unusual summer. For the first time in three years, he was healthy enough to enjoy a normal offseason of training.

“You kind of forget what it’s like to have a fully healthy summer and have to worry about anything physically,” Norris said following an early session of training camp in KeyBank Center. “So, yeah, I’m ready to go.”

Injuries have dogged Norris, 26, for years, limiting him ... Read the full article

Devon Levi, Konsta Helenius among players Sabres assign to Rochester

BUFFALO – Goalie Devon Levi and forward Konsta Helenius were among 24 players the Sabres assigned to the Rochester Americans following Saturday afternoon’s 5-2 preseason win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Levi, 23, is expected to begin the year as Rochester’s No. 1 goalie after securing an NHL roster spot out of training camp in each of his first two seasons.

Meanwhile, Helenius, 19, recorded one goal and three points in four exhibition games. In ... Read the full article

In newcomer Zac Jones, Sabres possess intriguing talent with ‘offensive flair’

BUFFALO – Over the last two seasons with the New York Rangers, as he often sat out for weeks at a time as a healthy scratch, Sabres newcomer Zac Jones said his thoughts would occasionally go to a bad place.

“There’s definitely things that pop into your mind,” the defenseman told the Times Herald following Friday’s practice in KeyBank Center, where the Sabres host a preseason game this afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings.

Still, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch ready for preseason debut; Mattias Samuelsson injured

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Alex Tuch, who missed the first two days of training camp with an undisclosed injury, will be making his preseason debut this afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Meanwhile, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson could miss the game after sitting out Friday’s practice with an upper-body injury.

“We’ll have him evaluated,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center. “He had a good practice yesterday, and maybe that ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Konsta Helenius earning trust, displaying talents of special prospect

BUFFALO – After forward Konsta Helenius took an ill-advised hooking penalty with the Sabres clinging to a late one-goal lead, coach Lindy Ruff had two options.

Ruff could’ve benched Helenius, 19, for the final minutes of Tuesday’s preseason game. After all, an offensive-zone penalty at a critical time is a no-no.

“Or I could see what his next shift was going to be like,” Ruff said following the Sabres’ 2-1 home win over the Columbus ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen practices; Jiri Kulich injured

BUFFALO – Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen knows if the Sabres hope to end their embarrassing 14-year playoff drought, he must bounce back following a disappointing season in which he often struggled and briefly lost his starting job.

It can be argued no player is more integral to the Sabres’ success than Luukkonen, who failed to build on his breakout 2023-24 campaign and sat out late-season games when journeyman James Reimer took over the net.

So it ... Read the full article

After trade, career-worst season, goalie Alexandar Georgiev excited for fresh chance with Sabres

BUFFALO – Following a perfect 40-minute outing in the preseason opener, Sabres goalie Alexandar Georgiev will likely start again tonight in Detroit or Saturday afternoon at home against the Red Wings.

One week into training camp, No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen hasn’t practiced. In the coming days, if he doesn’t return from his lower-body injury he recently tweaked, his status for the season opener Oct. 9 could be in question.

Each day the Finn misses ... Read the full article