WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
February Edition
Peyton Krebs sat out the season opener before playing the next day. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – During practices, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has noticed Peyton Krebs possesses the skill to make what he called “special plays.” Of course, having registered 20 goals and 66 points in his career, the center only occasionally showcases that talent in games.
In Krebs, 23, Ruff sees a player trying to figure things out. When the Vegas Golden Knights drafted him 17th overall in 2019 and the Sabres acquired him almost three years ago ... Read the full article
Jiri Kulich has played two NHL games. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Instead of judging Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich on the 14 minutes he nervously skated Saturday in Czechia, his home country, coach Lindy Ruff thinks back to the youngster’s recent exploits in the Prospect Challenge tournament.
“He’s looking at this (as it’s) my first real shot, there’s some nerves,” Ruff said of the forward’s second NHL game. “What I saw in Prague wasn’t the real Kulich. What we saw in that prospect camp showed ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen enjoyed a breakout season last year. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – It’s hardly surprising Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen established himself as one of the NHL’s elite starters down the stretch last season. As a teenager, he emerged as a dynamic prospect, earning the label as the Sabres’ goalie of the future.
The Finn was expected to develop into a special talent.
No one, however, likely anticipated his path to becoming the Sabres’ No. 1 netminder would be fraught with so much adversity.... Read the full article
JJ Peterka was injured Saturday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres winger JJ Peterka had never endured a hit like the one defenseman Brenden Dillon laid to his head early in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
“I got some hits in the past, but I don’t think that kind of hard hit before,” said Peterka, who returned to practice Wednesday with winger Zach Benson.
Peterka, who’s sporting a black left eye, has nearly recovered from the hit that earned Dillon ... Read the full article
Buffalo captain Rasmus Dahlin battles New Jersey’s Jack Hughes last week in Prague, Czechia. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Prior to Tuesday’s practice, the Sabres’ power-play units and coaching staff could be found across the street at LECOM Harborcenter working on the man advantage.
“I don’t know if that mock resistance by the coaches was any good, but I felt the speed coming at us was pretty good,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cracked.
When the regular session began at KeyBank Center, the Sabres focused on their power play for the first 43 ... Read the full article
Nicolas Aube-Kubel (left) moves alongside New Jersey’s Jonas Siegenthaler last week in Prague, Czechia.
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s season opener, will be sidelined about three to six weeks, coach Lindy Ruff said.
There is, however, some good news. Ruff said wingers JJ Peterka (concussion) and Zach Benson (lower body) are considered day to day after suffering injuries in Prague, Czechia.
Neither practiced Tuesday in KeyBank Bank Center, the Sabres’ first session since returning from their season-opening trip.... Read the full article
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