Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

In grueling, high-stakes games, Sabres goalie prospect Devon Levi dazzles for Rochester Amerks

ROCHESTER – When the Syracuse Crunch increased its lead to a commanding 3-0 over the Americans on Saturday, goalie Devon Levi’s mind, only naturally, flashed to the summer.

The Amerks, after all, had to win Game 4 to stay alive in the best-of-five AHL North Division semifinal. They had scored just once in their previous seven periods.

Things probably felt bleak when they trailed by three goals after 40 minutes.

Of course, Levi, the Buffalo ... Read the full article

Sabres to pick 11th overall; Sharks win lottery, can draft Macklin Celebrini

The Buffalo Sabres stayed put in Tuesday’s NHL Draft Lottery, receiving the 11th overall pick.

The San Jose Sharks, who possessed the highest odds for the first selection, 18.5 percent, won the lottery and the right to select Boston University superstar Macklin Celebrini.

Mike Grier, a popular former Sabres winger, is San Jose’s general manager.... Read the full article

NHL Draft Lottery: Sabres likely won’t get chance to pick Macklin Celebrini, but should land strong prospect

The Buffalo Sabres possess the 11th-best odds in tonight’s NHL Draft Lottery, just 3 percent, meaning they likely won’t win the right to select center Macklin Celebrini, a prospect so talented he could transform a franchise.

Celebrini, a lock to be picked first overall June 28 at the NHL Draft in Las Vegas, just enjoyed a dynamic season at Boston University, becoming the youngest player in history and fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Matt Savoie finishing junior career on tear with Moose Jaw

On Feb. 2, the Prince Albert Raiders held Buffalo Sabres prospect Matt Savoie pointless in their 3-1 loss to the Moose Jaw Warriors.

What’s so significant about that? Well, it marks the last time Savoie, 20, did not record a point in a game.

The ultra-talented center has registered at least one point in his last 29 outings, including 13 contests in the Western Hockey League playoffs.

He continued his torrid point streak in Friday’s ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens ‘disappointed’ himself, others during Sabres’ tough season

BUFFALO – In his fourth NHL season, center Dylan Cozens regressed offensively, scoring 13 fewer goals and 21 fewer points as the Sabres finished 12th in the Eastern Conference.

On Nov. 3, Cozens broke his nose during an ill-advised fight with heavyweight Garnet Hathaway, forcing him to miss two games. When he returned – he briefly sported a shield that hurt his vision – he scored one goal in his next 17 outings.

Cozens, 23, ... Read the full article

By end of difficult season, Sabres’ Tage Thompson became elite scorer again

BUFFALO – By the end of a trying season, Sabres center Tage Thompson recaptured the slick form that made him one of the NHL’s elite scorers last year.

To wit: in his final 28 games, he recorded 14 goals and 27 points. He often performed dynamically over his last 18 outings, scoring 11 goals and 21 points.

That’s a torrid 50-goal, 95-point pace over 82 games, very close his 47-goal, 94-point campaign in 2022-23.

But ... Read the full article

Faceoffs, tips doom Rochester in loss; Devon Levi shines for Amerks

ROCHESTER – On the bench in overtime, coach Seth Appert heard it. Center Tyson Kozak touched the puck, seemingly negating an icing call against the Americans.

Instead, the officials let the icing stand, sending the faceoff into the Rochester zone.

“It’s a terrible call,” Appert said following Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Syracuse Crunch in Game 2 of the AHL North Division semifinal. “Clear as day, and Kozak is honest as the day ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi dazzles in playoff debut as Rochester grabs lead

ROCHESTER – Following the Calder Cup Playoffs, Devon Levi will likely bid adieu to the minors for good. In his brief time here, the Sabres prospect has morphed into the Americans’ backbone, emerging as one of the AHL’s elite goalies.

Next season, Levi, 22, is expected to graduate to Buffalo, where he will compete for playing time with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In the meantime, the rookie has an opportunity to lead the Amerks on a deep ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Will Lindy Ruff have input in trades, other roster decisions?

BUFFALO – It’s no secret Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams leaned heavily on former coach Don Granato for roster decisions.

Adams regularly signed or traded for players Granato had connections to, often from his days coaching junior with the US National Team Development Program.

When the Sabres acquired winger Jordan Greenway prior to the trade deadline in 2023, Adams said Granato pounded the table for him. Adams made similar comments after they signed defenseman Connor ... Read the full article

Rochester rookie Nikita Novikov looks like special Sabres defense prospect

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Nikita Novikov displayed special offensive instincts throughout his first regular season in North America.

“Borderline high-end,” said coach Seth Appert, whose Americans open the Calder Cup Playoffs tonight at Blue Cross Arena in a best-of-five series against the Syracuse Crunch.

Without the benefit of power-play time, the 6-foot-4, 209-pound Novikov compiled 20 assists, a high total for a rookie acclimating to a different brand of hockey.... Read the full article