Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

After assignment by Sabres, Devon Levi thriving in Rochester: ‘It’s been great’

ROCHESTER – In the minors, far away from the glaring lights of the NHL, goalie Devon Levi can simply focus on his development.

What’s going on in Buffalo, sure, he cares and pays attention. But his feet are here with the Americans. He’ll worry about winning games for the Sabres when his next opportunity materializes.

“The pressure situation is different here from there,” Levi told the Times Herald after making 32 saves in Wednesday’s 4-1 ... Read the full article

Injuries force Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin to handle more responsibility, ice time

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s instincts tell him to get after it, not to settle for the simplest play.

After all, the Swede possesses the talent to make dazzling moves and take over the ice.

“When he touches the puck, he tries to go, he tries to make the ideal play happen and he competes and fights to make the ideal play happen on each puck touch,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Tuesday’s ... Read the full article

Sabres can’t put Ducks away in awful loss: ‘Gave them free chances’

BUFFALO – Almost halfway through Monday afternoon’s embarrassing 4-3 loss, the Sabres had the Anaheim Ducks on the ropes.

At that point, the Sabres had dominated the Ducks, outshooting them by about 20 as they generated a slew of prime scoring chances, including some breakaways.

Fourteen seconds after center Tage Thompson’s power-play goal put the Sabres’ up 2-1, the Ducks took another penalty.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Henri Jokiharju displays offense; Buffalo makes roster move

BUFFALO – The Sabres mostly utilize defenseman Henri Jokiharju in a defensive role, meaning other than occasionally quarterbacking the second power-play unit, he rarely gets to display his offensive talent.

“Usually five-on-five through the regular 60 minutes of a game, he’s very responsible and focused so much on defense that you don’t get to see some of his offensive touch,” coach Don Granato told reporters Saturday in Minnesota after Jokiharju scored the overtime winner in ... Read the full article

Sabres believe Peyton Krebs ready for offensive role; UPL set to return

BUFFALO – The confidence Sabres center Peyton Krebs displayed in grabbing the puck in his own zone, roaring up the ice and undressing a defender at the blue line has taken years to develop.

In junior hockey, sure, Krebs’ skill would allow him take over a game like he did in the second period of Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers. But in the NHL, Sabres coach Don Granato explained, he has been “building ... Read the full article

Sabres recall defenseman, send goalie to Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning recalled defenseman Kale Clague from the Rochester Americans and assigned goalie Dustin Tokarski to their AHL affiliate.

Sending Tokarski back likely means goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who missed Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers with a lower-body injury, will be ready for Saturday afternoon’s road game against the Minnesota Wild. The Sabres have said Luukkonen’s day to day.

Update: Luukkonen said following today’s practice he’s ready to play.... Read the full article

Buffalo goalie Eric Comrie tries to stop Florida’s Evan Rodrigues on Thursday.

Sabres generate offense again, still lose to Panthers; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could return from injury soon

BUFFALO – Remember that recent seven-goal outburst by the Sabres? As suspected, it turned out to be an anomaly.

On Thursday, they reverted back to their regular form, generating plenty of offense but showcasing a stunning lack of finish in their 4-0 loss to the heavyweight Florida Panthers before a crowd of 14,277 fans in KeyBank Center.

Fresh off Tuesday’s 7-0 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings, the Sabres pumped 45 shots on Anthony Stolarz, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson standing out following stint in Rochester

BUFFALO – When the Sabres sent defenseman Jacob Bryson to the minors for the first time in almost three years, he knew the assignment would be temporary.

Playing in the AHL could help Bryson, 26, find a groove after sitting out 29 of the first 32 games as a healthy scratch, and return to Buffalo ready to contribute.

“That was the plan,” he said prior to Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen out with injury; Sabres recall goalie

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will miss tonight’s game against the Florida Panthers with a lower-body injury and is day to day, the team announced late this afternoon.

Luukkonen, 24, participated in this morning’s pregame skate and did not appear to be injured. He has started four straight games and 10 of the last 11.

The Finn has been one of the NHL’s hottest goalies, compiling a 7-5-0 record with a 1.60 goals-against average ... Read the full article

Following trade, Sabres prospect Matt Savoie on tear in Moose Jaw

BUFFALO – Six months, five teams and three leagues later, Sabres prospect Matt Savoie has settled into one place and can enjoy the final months of his junior hockey career.

A season that Savoie, 20, began injured in Buffalo has taken him to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, after stops in Rochester, Wenatchee (Washington) and Sweden.

Along the way, he showed he’s ready for the pros, made his NHL debut, represented Team Canada at the World Junior ... Read the full article