WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Lukas Rousek accompanied Buffalo overseas. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Monday finalized their 23-man regular-season roster by loaning defenseman Kale Clague and winger Lukas Rousek to the Rochester Americans after they cleared waivers, and placing winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel on injured reserve.
Right now, the Sabres have 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies. For the time being at least, rookie forward Jiri Kulich, who played his second NHL game Saturday, has a spot.... Read the full article
James Reimer never played a regular-season game for Buffalo. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
James Reimer won’t be going to the Rochester Americans. The Anaheim Ducks on Monday claimed the veteran goalie off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres signed Reimer to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million – a significant salary for a player they hoped to assign to the minors – to provide insurance. In Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 25, and Devon Levi, 22, the Sabres have one of the league’s youngest goalie tandems.
Reimer, 36, served ... Read the full article
James Reimer spent last season in Detroit. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday placed veteran goalie James Reimer on waivers.
Reimer, 36, served as the Sabres’ third goalie during their season-opening trip to Europe.
If he clears, he will likely be assigned to the Rochester Americans. He hasn’t played in the AHL since 2010-11, his third pro season.... Read the full article
JJ Peterka is attended to Saturday after absorbing a hit from Brenden Dillon in Prague, Czechia. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
Three injured forwards. Two losses. One struggling team.
Any early-season optimism surrounding the Buffalo Sabres vanished during back-to-back season-opening setbacks to the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia.
In Saturday’s 3-1 loss, Sabres winger JJ Peterka suffered a concussion when New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon hit him in the head as he skated through the neutral zone, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Prague.... Read the full article
Nicolas Aube-Kubel played on the fourth line Friday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel suffered a lower-body in Friday’s 4-1 season-opening loss to the New Jersey Devils and will miss today’s rematch, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Prague, Czechia.
Ruff had no other update on Aube-Kubel. The newcomer was wearing a brace on his leg as he exited the dressing room following the game, according to The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski.... Read the full article
Alex Tuch practices Thursday at O2 Arena in Prague, Czechia, where Buffalo is participating in the NHL Global Series. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Alex Tuch always starts with himself. The Sabres winger knows he underperformed last season, failing to meet high expectations following his career year. Then he looks at the entire team and challenges everyone to be better.
The disappointment he experienced last season – his own struggles and the Sabres’ lackluster 84-point finish – drives him.
“First and foremost, I know I need to be better,” Tuch said last month after training camp opened ... Read the full article
Ryan Johnson played 27 games for Rochester last season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres on Friday loaned defense prospect Ryan Johnson to the Rochester Americans.
Johnson, 23, suffered a lower-body injury late in training camp.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Johnson compiled seven assists in 41 games as a rookie with the Sabres last season and nine assists in 27 contests with the Amerks.... Read the full article
Zach Benson scored 11 goals as a rookie last season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Having coached against Zach Benson last year and examined game tape throughout the offseason, Lindy Ruff knew the tenacious Sabres winger possessed maturity that belied his limited NHL experience.
Still, as Ruff watched Benson, 19, up close during training camp, he quickly developed a greater appreciation for the youngster. Until he coached him, he did not fully understand what makes him such a unique talent.
“I watched a lot of games, I liked ... Read the full article
Mason Jobst is one of Rochester’s top forwards. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday assigned six players to the Rochester Americans after they cleared waivers.
Goalie Felix Sandstrom, defenseman Colton Poolman and Jack Rathbone and forwards Josh Dunne, Mason Jobst and Brett Murray have all joined the Sabres’ AHL affiliate.
All six players received an extended looking during NHL training camp because Buffalo’s regular team traveled to Europe last week for its season-opening trip.... Read the full article
Noah Ostlund enjoyed a terrific game Saturday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sometimes the NHL preseason must be analyzed appropriately. What kind of competition was that prospect who scored a nifty goal or enjoyed a standout night facing? Was he competing against top talent or minor leaguers and undersized youngsters?
If you dissect Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund’s recent exploits – the center scored one goal, an overtime winner, and four points in four exhibition outings – everything probably looks more impressive than first thought.
Ostlund, ... Read the full article