Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres re-sign prospect Lukas Rousek to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday re-signed winger Lukas Rousek, who played his first two NHL games late last season, to a two-year, $1.55 million contract.

Rousek, 24, enjoyed a breakout season with the Rochester Americans in 2022-23, establishing himself as one of the Sabres’ top forward prospects. His 40 assists and 56 points both led the Amerks. His 16 goals tied for fifth on the team.

The Czech added five goals and 12 points ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Zemgus Girgensons to one-year contract

Forward Zemgus Girgensons, the Buffalo Sabres’ longest-tenured player, will be returning for an 11th season.

The Sabres on Tuesday signed Girgensons to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. He could’ve become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Girgensons, 29, is the last remaining player from the Sabres’ “tank” teams of 2013-14 and 2014-15.

The Latvian has endured some rough seasons in Buffalo. The Sabres have finished dead last four times during his tenure and never ... Read the full article

Report: Michael Peca leaves Rochester Amerks for job with Rangers

The Rochester Americans must find two new assistant coaches.

Michael Peca, who has been instrumental in developing JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn and some of the Buffalo Sabres’ other forward prospects, has taken a job on coach Peter Laviolette’s staff with the New York Rangers, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek.

Peca, a popular former Sabres captain and center, has strong ties to Laviolette, who was named the Rangers’ new coach last week.

... Read the full article

For NHL Draft prospect Matthew Wood, Sabres’ Tage Thompson a role model

BUFFALO – At first, Jamie Wood didn’t want his son, Matthew, to play college hockey at such a young age. Having played and coached in the NCAA, he understood the physicality and speed could overwhelm a 17-year-old fresh out of junior.

Besides a chance to attend UConn, Matthew Wood had other intriguing options to consider for the 2022-23 season.

The 6-foot-4, 193-pound forward could return to the Vernon Vipers and defend his British Columbia Hockey ... Read the full article

Mike Weber leaves Rochester Amerks for assistant coach job with Blues

Given the Rochester Americans’ recent success, some of their coaches would inevitably draw interest from NHL teams.

On Wednesday, the St. Louis Blues hired Mike Weber, who was in charge of the defense and penalty kill on Seth Appert’s staff, as an assistant coach.

Weber, 35, joined the Amerks as an assistant coach prior to the 2020-21 season following a three-year stint as an assistant with the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires.

... Read the full article

Austrian D David Reinbacher could be terrific NHL Draft choice for Sabres

BUFFALO – In the bedroom of his childhood home in Hohenems, Austria, NHL Draft prospect David Reinbacher still has a jersey of former Sabres star Thomas Vanek he proudly wore growing up.

Vanek, who scored 373 goals over 14 NHL seasons, has long been the face of Austrian hockey. But his popularity transcends the sport. He’s an icon in the country.

“I would say (he’s) like Arnold Schwarzenegger there,” Reinbacher said, comparing the high-scoring ... Read the full article

In Connor Bedard, NHL might have the next Connor McDavid

BUFFALO – Connor Bedard prefers to live in the moment. With all the outside noise and hype surrounding him, the ultra-talented center, a lock to be the first overall pick at the upcoming NHL Draft, said it allows him to enjoy things “kind of be where your feet are.”

“That’s good advice I’ve got from a few guys,” Bedard said Friday in LECOM Harborcenter, where the NHL Scouting Combine is taking place this week.

That’s ... Read the full article

Sabres to hold 2023 development camp for prospects next month

The Buffalo Sabres will hold a summer development camp for prospects from July 2 to 6 at LECOM Harborcenter, the team announced Friday.

The on-ice sessions are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A roster will be announced at a later date.... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks’ Jiri Kulich named to AHL’s Top Prospects Team

A terrific rookie season in which Rochester Americans center Jiri Kulich registered 31 total goals, including one in each of his first six playoff games, has earned the teenager a spot on the inaugural AHL Top Prospects Team for the 2022-23 campaign.

Kulich, the 28th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2022, enjoyed one of the best seasons by an 18-year-old skater in league history.

The Czech’s 24 regular-season goals led the Amerks ... Read the full article

After run with Amerks, Lawrence Pilut leaves Sabres organization again

For the second time in three years, defenseman Lawrence Pilut has left the Buffalo Sabres organization.

This time, however, it might be for good.

Pilut, who could’ve become an unrestricted free agent July 1, has signed a two-year contract with Lausanne HC in the Swiss National League, the team announced Tuesday.... Read the full article