Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

When you can watch the Sabres on national TV during the 2024-25 season

The Buffalo Sabres will be appearing on nine national television broadcasts during the upcoming season, the NHL announced Thursday.

The schedule breaks down as follows: four exclusive games on TNT, truTV and MAX; one exclusive game on ESPN; one exclusive game on ESPN2; three exclusive games on ESPN+/Hulu (subscription streaming).

The complete schedule is below.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Patrick Geary growing into unique talent at Michigan State

BUFFALO – During their chats leading up to the NHL Draft, Hamburg native Patrick Geary told the Sabres that in the past, he had often played a raw, undisciplined game.

“He used the term that a couple of coaches used with him, he was a little bit of a cowboy on the ice at times,” assistant general manager Jerry Forton said June 29 after the Sabres selected Geary in the sixth round, 174th overall, at ... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Andrew Poturalski could have career-changing opportunity with rebuilding Sharks

So far, Andrew Poturalski’s perennial status as one of the AHL’s most dynamic, consistent and clutch scorers has earned him just a few cups of coffee in the NHL.

Last season, in his first recall in two years, the Williamsville native played twice, skating less than 14 total minutes before the Seattle Kraken returned him to the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Poturalski’s prolific career – he has won two Calder Cup championships, appeared in the final ... Read the full article

Mature Sabres prospect Max Strbak budding star at Michigan State

BUFFALO – What Sabres prospect Max Strbak accomplished as a true freshman at Michigan State is a bit unusual. Most defensemen don’t step into a major program and make an immediate impact at 18.

The Slovak played a significant role as the Spartans won the Big Ten championship and advanced to the NCAA regional final.

Naturally, some physical elements – for example, his 6-foot-2 frame and stellar skating – helped him quickly adapt to college ... Read the full article

Former Sabres prospects have landed all over after leaving Rochester

It happens every year or so. One of the Buffalo Sabres’ unheralded mid- or late-round draft picks quickly grabs some attention. Maybe a YouTube sizzle reel builds a little hype. Other times his exploits in training or development camp can raise expectations.

“Who the heck is this guy?” fans might ask.

Matej Pekar’s aggressive antics just days after the Sabres drafted him in 2018 – he hit Casey Mittelstadt, Buffalo’s top forward prospect at ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius set to play in North America in 2024-25

Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius will be playing in North America in the 2024-25 season.

Tappara, Helenius’ Finnish team in Liiga, announced Monday on its social media platforms the center has left to join the Sabres organization.

Helenius, the 14th overall pick June 28, signed his entry-level NHL contract July 8.... Read the full article

Former Sabres prospects, Amerks have landed new contracts as free agents

A year ago, the Rochester Americans’ top nine scorers returned, a remarkable number for an AHL team. This upcoming season, that number might be three.

The Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate was bound to experience some overturn in free agency this offseason after enjoying stability rarely seen in the minors. Some updates are below.... Read the full article

After trading down, Sabres could have NHL-ready talent in Konsta Helenius

In November, four months before Konsta Helenius developed into Jukurit’s best player and seven months before the Buffalo Sabres traded down and drafted him 14th overall, his coach, Olli Jokinen, said the prospect would play in the NHL this upcoming season.

At just 17, Helenius was one of the youngest players in Liiga, a high-level pro league in his native Finland. After a year with Jukurit, the center had finally earned enough trust to ... Read the full article

Sabres to host Prospects Challenge rookie tournament Sept. 13 to 16

The Buffalo Sabres will be hosting five teams at the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament from Sept. 13 to 16 at LECOM Harborcenter, the team announced Tuesday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be joining the Sabres, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins this year in the round-robin tournament. The Montreal Canadiens have dropped out.

Tickets for the games cost $11.80 and are on sale. Rosters will be announced at a later date.... Read the full article

Former Sabres quickly found work as free agents this summer

In past offseasons, it sometimes took former Buffalo Sabres time to find work. Some went overseas or returned to the minors. Some never played in the NHL again.

But earlier this month, seven players from the 2023-24 squad quickly signed NHL contracts as free agents. Some updates are below.

– Winger Jeff Skinner signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

The Sabres, of course, bought out the final three seasons of Skinner’s ... Read the full article