Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Goalie prospect Scott Ratzlaff seizing chance, impressing Sabres

BUFFALO – For Sabres prospect Scott Ratzlaff, playing against NHL players he had only seen on television like Sean Monahan feels surreal.

In a normal training camp, the goalie would’ve been sent back to the Seattle Thunderbirds after about a week. But the Sabres’ season-opening trip to Europe has created unique opportunities for players left in camp.

Ratzlaff, 19, has seized his chance, looking impressive during his first NHL preseason outings.... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo’s prospects face stiff test in Columbus

The Buffalo Sabres’ squad comprised of prospects and AHL talent has exceeded expectations, winning both of its outings since the regular roster traveled overseas.

In each of those 3-2 road victories – Tuesday in Pittsburgh and Thursday in Ottawa, a game in which 2022 first-round pick Noah Ostlund scored in overtime – neither opponent dressed much NHL talent.

So tonight’s contest in Columbus will be the B team’s stiffest team. The Blue Jackets’ lineup will ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin excited about captaincy, Sabres’ future: ‘Something really good’

When the Buffalo Sabres traded Kyle Okposo late last season, the obvious heir apparent to the captaincy, Rasmus Dahlin, refused to think about wearing the prestigious letter.

If Dahlin, 24, earned the honor, he wanted it to happen organically. So for seven months, the Swede said he kept focusing on being “the best version of myself.”

“When it’s not really organic, it’s kind of forced, that’s not a good thing in my opinion,” ... Read the full article

Sabres name Rasmus Dahlin captain

It wasn’t a matter of if, only when defenseman Rasmus Dahlin would become the Buffalo Sabres’ next captain.

Long before new Sabres coach Lindy Ruff awarded him the captaincy Thursday, Dahlin, 24, emerged as a worthy candidate to wear the prestigious ‘C’ someday.

The Swede is more than just one of the NHL’s most dynamic defensemen. He possesses a work ethic his coaches and teammates laud and pays a price to try to win. As ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Noah Ostlund, other prospects earn another game

BUFFALO – When the Sabres split into two groups Tuesday – the regular team traveled overseas to start the season, while the B group stayed here to complete training camp – a special opportunity materialized for some players.

Prospects and minor leaguers who would’ve normally received little or no action have an extended look as the Sabres complete their preseason schedule.

On Tuesday, a group filled with youngsters and AHL talent won a 3-2 road ... Read the full article

Amerks’ Mason Jobst has NHL contract, belief he can play for Sabres

BUFFALO – At 30, an advanced age in which a hockey player is often past his prime, center Mason Jobst sees the door to the NHL open a crack.

Jobst, you see, keeps getting better. Over the past three years, he has jumped from 15 to 38 to 50 points. He just enjoyed a career season, tying Isak Rosen for the Rochester Americans’ lead in points and scoring 22 goals, the AHL team’s second-highest total.... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin excited by what Lindy Ruff gives Sabres: ‘Going to be fine’

BUFFALO – Rasmus Dahlin, clad in his blue workout gear and a backwards baseball hat following his first full practice this season, stood behind a podium and spoke confidently, like a player who feels the Sabres have found something special.

After a mid-body injury sidelined him six days, Dahlin, 24, joined his teammates in a gold non-contact jersey on the KeyBank Center ice for Tuesday’s practice, their final skate before jetting to Europe to ... Read the full article

Prospect Jiri Kulich, other extra players to accompany Sabres on European trip

BUFFALO – The 27 players who practiced this morning in KeyBank Center – 15 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies – will accompany the Sabres on their season-opening European trip, coach Lindy Ruff said.

The Sabres, who fly to Germany tonight, will bring the maximum amount of players allowed. They must trim their roster to 23, the standard regular-season size, before their opener Oct. 4 in Prague, Czechia.

Jiri Kulich, arguably the Sabres’ top forward ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund set to make debuts

BUFFALO – Fresh off two exhibition wins in which they dressed a regular-season lineup and throttled the competition, the Sabres will use minor leaguers for tonight’s road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Later today, about 25 or so Sabres will leave for the team’s season-opening trip to Europe. Meanwhile, the rest of the training camp roster will stay in Buffalo and complete the preseason schedule.

So tonight’s roster is filled with AHL and ECHL talent. ... Read the full article

Devon Levi happy to compete with UPL, sharp as Sabres beat Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – For years, Sabres goalie Devon Levi has been a workhorse, starting game after game.

At Northeastern, Levi played 89 percent of the Huskies’ games. After turning pro late in 2022-23, he started seven of the Sabres’ final eight contests and the first four last season before suffering an injury.

When Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen seized the No. 1 job late last fall, the Sabres assigned Levi to the Rochester Americans to play regularly, occasionally recalling ... Read the full article