With very few spots available in Buffalo, the Sabres waived some intriguing players during training camp. Considering the dearth of talent on a few NHL teams, it felt like one or two might be claimed.
But on Sunday, defensemen Riley Stillman and Kale Clague and forward Brandon Biro cleared and joined the Rochester Americans.
Every player Buffalo waived during the preseason made it the AHL, giving the Amerks, fresh off a run to the Eastern Conference finals, another deep roster. The Sabres, meanwhile, have plenty of recall options.
The Sabres waived Stillman, Clague and Biro on Saturday, leaving them with 25 players – 15 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies – on their roster. They must finalize their 23-man regular-season roster by 5 p.m.
They can reach that number by placing winger Jack Quinn and center Matt Savoie, who just returned to practice, on injured reserve.
When the Sabres trimmed the roster to 31 players last week, coach Don Granato told the group “everybody in this room matters.”
“We’re going to use probably 31 or more during the course of the season and they’re going to help us reach our goal,” he said. “So everybody is extremely important.”
The last players the Sabres waived could certainly be back in Buffalo soon.
Stillman, 25, earned regular duty in Buffalo late last season, playing 18 games after the Sabres acquired him in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks.
Clague, 25, began last season in Rochester before sticking in Buffalo and playing 33 contests.
Biro, 25, enjoyed a strong camp and could be in line for an early recall. He played one game for the Sabres in 2021-22. He registered 16 goals and 51 points in 49 games for the Amerks last season.
