Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres prospect Hudson Fasching ready for fresh start

BUFFALO – In a way, Sabres winger Hudson Fasching is grateful for the groin injury he suffered early last season. No, the prospect isn’t happy a three-month absence derailed his promising rookie campaign.

But Fasching, 22, believes handling his first significant injury toughened him up.

“It was a learning year, learning experience,” Fasching said Friday prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils in the opener of the Prospects Challenge rookie ... Read the full article

Will Butcher enjoyed visiting Sabres

BUFFALO – As you would expect, the picture of defenseman Will Butcher hauling a blue Sabres hockey bag through Denver International Airport last month ignited plenty of speculation about the free agent’s future.

Did the bag mean, Butcher, a former University of Denver star and Hobey Baker Award winner, would sign with the Sabres? Well, no.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Justin Bailey ready to stand out at rookie tournament

BUFFALO – By March, after seven weeks of regular duty, Sabres winger Justin Bailey said he started getting used to the NHL lifestyle.

Thanks to another torrid scoring stretch in the minors, Bailey traded bus travel and his AHL salary for chartered airplanes and a paycheck almost 10 times larger.... Read the full article

After scary concussion, Sabres’ Kyle Okposo healed, excited for new season

BUFFALO – It wasn’t Kyle Okposo’s first time on the ice. That milestone came months ago, after the Sabres winger recovered from the scary concussion that left him hospitalized in intensive care. It wasn’t his first scrimmage, either. The affable veteran played pickup hockey at home this summer in Minnesota.

Still, Okposo’s skate Tuesday inside HarborCenter, a normal early-September session with some scrimmaging at the end, was significant.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel ‘adamant’ on staying with Sabres, willing to wait for extension

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel called it the NHL’s “new game.” Thanks to their dynamic talents, young stars barely out of their teens can earn huge long-term contracts these days.

Eichel, of course, is part of that elite group and will cash in. The Sabres and Eichel’s camp have talked this summer about a lucrative new contract.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel wants to stay with Sabres, willing to play out contract

BUFFALO – If the Sabres and Jack Eichel can’t reach an extension, the center said he has “no problem” playing out the final season of his entry-level contract.

“If that happens, that happens,” Eichel said this afternoon following a late-summer skate. “I’m pretty adamant on staying a Sabre and staying in Buffalo. It’s not something I can really control here. I can just control my play.... Read the full article

South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy hopeful to land with new team soon

BUFFALO – Even at 31 years old, more than three years removed from his last NHL appearance, South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy has remained a strong AHL scorer.

Last season, after joining the Rochester Americans in December, the talented free agent forward compiled 25 assists and 29 points in 47 games with the Sabres’ AHL affiliate.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jake McCabe happy to give number back to Jason Pominville

BUFFALO – Shortly after the Sabres reacquired Jason Pominville from the Minnesota Wild on June 30, equipment manager Dave Williams called the former captain to chat.

As the friends caught up, Williams mentioned Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe, who had worn Pominville’s old No. 29 since 2014, texted him and said he wanted to switch digits.... Read the full article

Sabres to open training camp Sept. 14

BUFFALO – The Sabres will open their main training camp Sept. 14, when veterans report for physicals and testing, then hold their first on-ice sessions a day later, the team announced today.

Like last year, the Sabres will begin camp in HarborCenter. Sessions are open to the public. A full camp roster and schedule will be announced later. The Sabres begin their preseason schedule Sept. 18 at KeyBank Center against the Carolina Hurricanes.... Read the full article

Martin Biron joins Sabres broadcast team as analyst

BUFFALO – Martin Biron is coming to a television near you.

The loquacious former Sabres goalie will serve as an analyst on the team’s MSG broadcasts this season, primarily during pregame, intermission and postgame segments with host Brian Duff. He replaces former Sabres winger Brad May.... Read the full article