WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
February Edition
Josh Norris skated in a non-contact role Wednesday. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the near future, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and winger Zach Benson, both of whom were injured prior to the Olympic break, could start practicing again, coach Lindy Ruff said.
Ruff said Luukkonen, whose lower-body injury forced him to miss the Milano Cortina Games, skated on his own Wednesday before the Sabres’ first post-break practice.
“He’s within days of joining us,” Ruff said following the session in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article
Devon Levi has been a workhouse in Rochester. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BRIGHTON – These days, Devon Levi possesses a narrow focus. Naturally, the Buffalo Sabres prospect thinks about his future. But by embracing what the present offers him, he believes he can achieve his ultimate goal of becoming an elite NHL goalie.
Almost three years after nearly backstopping the Sabres to an unlikely playoff berth just weeks out of college, Levi, 24, has spent all season with the Rochester Americans.
“I know that over time I’ll ... Read the full article
Isak Rosen (left) and Konsta Helenius celebrate a goal in Friday’s win. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – Isak Rosen’s third goal of the night in his return to the Americans, a nifty two-on-one he converted after Konsta Helenius corralled a bouncing puck and fed his linemate, illustrates the special chemistry the Buffalo Sabres prospects share.
Rosen and Helenius, both of whom will play in tonight’s AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois, have morphed into one of the league’s elite duos.
If Helenius, 19, can feed him the puck, there’s a ... Read the full article
Konsta Helenius played nine games with Buffalo. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – In his last outing before the Buffalo Sabres assigned him to the Americans, rookie Konsta Helenius shared the ice with Pittsburgh Penguins superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, two hockey icons.
“I watched their highlight videos (growing up), so it was pretty cool,” Helenius said prior to Friday’s game against the Springfield Thunderbirds in Blue Cross Arena.
Earlier in his first trip to the NHL, Helenius, 19, faced Los Angeles Kings defenseman defenseman ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson (72) battles with Pittsburgh’s Kevin Hayes on Thursday.
BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ final outing before the Milano Cortina Games, center Tage Thompson showcased why he earned a coveted spot on Team USA’s stacked Olympic squad.
Thompson was often the best player on the ice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring his 30th goal and narrowly missing a few more prime chances.
The American certainly outplayed the Penguins’ two biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
On most nights, that ... Read the full article
Michael Kesselring sat out Tuesday’s game. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Instead of dressing defenseman Michael Kesselring for Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave the newcomer a chance to reset.
Having battled injuries all year, Kesselring hasn’t found much of a groove. Since training camp, he has dealt with a knee injury and a high ankle sprain he re-injured.
In his first 23 outings, he showcased glimpses of what made him a coveted return in the ... Read the full article
Josh Norris has missed the last 11 games. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Oft-injured Sabres center Josh Norris won’t return to the lineup before the Olympic break.
Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning that Norris, who has missed the last 11 games with an upper-body injury, will sit out tonight’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Norris began practicing again last week.... Read the full article
Owen Power has recently found a groove. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Owen Power understands his offensive numbers hardly illustrate confidence or growth. The Sabres defenseman recently ended a 24-game goal drought. At his current pace, he would produce just 25 points this season, eight lower than his career-low total.
Power, 23, doesn’t get wrapped up in his statistics. He believes he has recently enjoyed the best stretch of his four-year career.
Meanwhile, the Sabres enter tonight’s home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, their final ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has battled injuries throughout this season.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JANUARY 17 :: Buffalo Sabres v Minnesota Wild :: January 17, 2026 in KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY, USA (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu) ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s lower-body injury will force him to miss the upcoming Olympics.
Team Finland on Tuesday named Boston Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo as Luukkonen’s replacement for the Milano Cortina Games.
Luukkonen hasn’t played since getting injured early in last Tuesday’s 7-4 road win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.... Read the full article
Zach Benson took one shift after his injury but left the game again. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson left Monday’s 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers with an upper-body injury after crashing hard into the end boards 5:01 into the third period.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Florida following the game that Benson, who appeared to hurt his left shoulder, was being evaluated and they will see how he feels today.
The Sabres close their two-game road trip tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.... Read the full article