Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres sign Jordan Samuels-Thomas to entry-level deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed winger Jordan Samuels-Thomas to a one-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.

They sent a 2015 seventh-round pick to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday for the 24-year-old’s rights.

Samuels-Thomas, the 203^rdoverall pick by the Winnipeg franchise in 2009, compiled 50 goals, 104 points and 162 penalty minutes in 138 NCAA games over four seasons with Quinnipiac University and Bowling Green State University. He played two seasons with ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart, rest of Sabres’ 2014 draft choices to attend development camp

BUFFALO – Forty one prospects, including No. 2 pick Sam Reinhart and all of the Sabres’ 2014 draft choices, will be participating in the annual summer development camp from Monday to Friday, the team announced today.

Seven first-round picks are on the roster.

The sessions inside the First Niagara Center are free and open to fans. Here’s a complete schedule from the Sabres:

Monday On-ice coach’s practice: 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.... Read the full article

College coach on Sabres prospect Jordan Samuels-Thomas: ‘He’s got high-end potential’

BUFFALO – At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, new Sabres prospect Jordan Samuels-Thomas possesses a chiseled body ready for the pro game.

“He’s a man,” Rand Pecknold, Samuels’ coach at Quinnipiac University, said by phone this morning. “He’s as good of an athlete and (in) as good a physical shape as anyone in Buffalo’s organization. He’s phenomenal.”

That imposing frame will help the 24-year-old winger, who compiled 50 goals and 104 points over four NCAA seasons, ... Read the full article

Sabres acquire prospect Jordan Samuels-Thomas from Jets

BUFFALO – The Sabres have acquired winger Jordan Samuels-Thomas from the Winnipeg Jets for a conditional seven-round draft pick in 2015, the club announced tonight.

The 24-year-old, a native of West Hartford, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody McCormick thrilled to be back in Buffalo: ‘It’s home’

BUFFALO – As a versatile, smooth-skating forward willing to fight any heavyweight, Cody McCormick had plenty of options as free agency opened. Veterans with the 31-year-old’s talents are coveted, especially with the NHL evolving into a four-line league.

But instead of shopping his services, McCormick told Pat Morris, his agent, to contact one team, the Sabres. He wanted to return to Buffalo, his home.

“Come July 1, we wanted to make sure that that ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres re-sign goalie Matt Hackett

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed goalie Matt Hackett to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,750 in the NHL, according to reports.

The 24-year-old, a restricted free agent, accepted his qualifying offer.

Hackett played eight games with the Sabres late last season, going 1-6-1 with a 3.10 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He was scheduled to undergo surgery after suffering a gruesome knee injury April 12 in Boston. The Sabres haven’t discussed ... Read the full article

Former Sabres GM Darcy Regier hired as senior VP and assistant GM with Coyotes

Welcome back to the NHL, Darcy Regier.

The former Buffalo Sabres general manager has been hired as the senior vice president and assistant GM of the Arizona Coyotes. The 58-year-old hadn’t been heard from since the Sabres fired him after a wretched 4-15-1 start in November.

“Thrilled to bring him on,” GM Don Maloney said in an interview with the team. “I think he’s a great resource for the organization, for me. He’s ... Read the full article

Sabres sign defenseman Tyson Strachan for Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres added depth today, signing defenseman Tyson Strachan to a one-year, two-way contract. The 29-year-old’s likely ticketed for the AHL Rochester Americans next season.

Strachan, the 137^th pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2003, has played 138 NHL games, compiling one goal, 15 points and 155 penalty minutes. He split last season between the Hershey Bears and Washington Capitals, making 18 NHL appearances. He played a career-high 38 games with the ... Read the full article

Veteran Brian Gionta happy to join rebuilding Sabres

BUFFALO – Brian Gionta’s ties to Western New York run deep. The winger grew up in suburban Rochester rooting for the Sabres, his new team. Before attending Boston College, he played junior hockey with the Niagara Scenic. He still lives in Greece, his lifelong home.

Playing here earlier in his career would’ve been difficult, Gionta said Wednesday during an introductory news conference inside the First Niagara Center.

But right now, Gionta’s a 35-year-old whose goal ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Tim Murray on re-signing Steve Ott: ‘I don’t know if he’s a possibility’

BUFFALO – The five new players the Sabres acquired Tuesday will make it harder for them to re-sign Steve Ott, the popular former captain they traded in February.

“I don’t know if he’s a possibility,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “I talked to his agent last night after I talked to you guys. I explained to him with what we did yesterday, it would make it more ... Read the full article