Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres sign goalie James Reimer to one-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning added goaltending depth by signing veteran James Reimer to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million.

General manager Kevyn Adams recently said the Sabres plan to go with goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 25, and Devon Levi, 22, next season, so Reimer, despite his salary, could be ticketed for the Rochester Americans.

Reimer, 36, offers the Sabres valuable depth. He has played 501 NHL games over 14 seasons, compiling a 215-177-63 ... Read the full article

Signings, trade help revamp Sabres’ roster: ‘I like the look of our team’

BUFFALO – In signing Jason Zucker to a one-year, $5 million contract, the Sabres believe they added a versatile veteran winger they can utilize up and down the lineup.

“His ability to play anywhere in our lineup, I think, is critical in style,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Monday in KeyBank Center. “He’s played plenty with top skill guys or he could play more of that hard-checking role.”

Meanwhile, center Sam Lafferty, the Sabres’ ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Jason Zucker, Sam Lafferty in free agency, re-sign Jacob Bryson

BUFFALO – The Sabres added two forwards shortly after free agency opened today, signing Jason Zucker to a one-year, $5 million contract and Sam Lafferty to a two-year, $4 million deal.

Zucker, 32, compiled 14 goals, 42 points, 81 penalty minutes and a minus-9 rating in 69 games with the Arizona Coyotes and Nashville Predators last season.

The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Zucker, a winger, has scored 196 goals and 370 points in 697 career NHL games. ... Read the full article

Sabres don’t give Jacob Bryson, two others qualifying offers

LAS VEGAS – The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday did not extend a $1.9 million qualifying offer to defenseman Jacob Bryson, making him a free agent.

The Sabres extendeded qualifying offers to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, defenseman Henri Jokiharju and forwards Beck Malenstyn and Peyton Krebs.

Luukkonen, Jokiharju and Malenstyn all have arbitration rights.

Defensemen Riley Stillman and Calle Sjalin, two other pending restricted free agents, also did not receive qualifying offers.... Read the full article

Sabres looking to make more moves after trading for Beck Malenstyn

LAS VEGAS – Considering how aggressively general manager Kevyn Adams has spent the offseason pursuing trades to upgrade the Buffalo Sabres, leaving the NHL Draft with one new roster player, winger Beck Malenstyn, seems disappointing.

Still, in trading the 43rd overall pick on Saturday to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Malenstyn, 26, the Sabres addressed a significant need by becoming tougher to play against.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Malenstyn, a pending restricted free agent, gives ... Read the full article

Sabres beginning process of buying out Jeff Skinner’s contract

LAS VEGAS – Winger Jeff Skinner’s enigmatic six-year career with the Buffalo Sabres is over.

General manager Kevyn Adams said Saturday following the NHL Draft the Sabres have initiated the process to buy out the remaining three seasons of Skinner’s eight-year, $72 million contract.

“It’s a step-by-step process,” Adams said in The Sphere. “That process was started early this morning.”

Update: The Sabres announced this afternoon they’ve bought out the remainder of Skinner’s contract.

The ... Read the full article

NHL Draft Tracker: Sabres select Adam Kleber 42nd overall, make trades

LAS VEGAS – Jerry Forton said Adam Kleber, the defense prospect the Buffalo Sabres selected in the second round at the NHL Draft, 42nd overall, forced his way onto USA’s roster at the World Junior A Challenge as the team’s youngest player.

“Started as the seventh D-man,” the assistant general manager said Saturday following the NHL Draft in The Sphere.

By the end of the tournament, Forton said the 6-foot-6, 215-pound Kleber had morphed into ... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Beck Malenstyn from Capitals in trade

LAS VEGAS – The Buffalo Sabres this morning traded the 43rd overall pick in the NHL Draft to the Washington Capitals in exchange for forward Beck Malenstyn.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Malenstyn, 26, is a pending restricted free agent.

Malenstyn compiled six goals, 21 points, 25 penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating for the Capitals last season. He has registered eight goals, 24 points, 36 penalty minutes and an even rating in 105 career NHL games.... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Sabres thrilled to pick center Konsta Helenius, can’t make trade

LAS VEGAS – Konsta Helenius, the prospect the Buffalo Sabres selected 14th overall Friday at the NHL Draft, turned 18 on May 11. Still, the Finnish center has already played 84 games over two seasons for Jukurit, a team in Liiga, a top-tier men’s league.

Against stronger and more experienced talent, the 5-foot-11, 189-pound Helenius has thrived. Last season, he scored 14 goals and 36 points in 51 games and added two goals and six ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams believes Kyle Okposo left lasting impact with Sabres

LAS VEGAS – Having won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams understands what Kyle Okposo, his former captain, felt when he lifted the prized trophy above his head Monday.

“I’m fortunate enough to know how special a feeling that is,” Adams said Thursday in the Wynn Hotel prior to the NHL Draft.

Adams, who traded Okposo to the Florida Panthers on March 8, is happy ... Read the full article