Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

QMJHL star Samuel Meloche becoming Sabres’ best goalie prospect

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Samuel Meloche’s experience belies his age. Less than two months after turning 19, just two years into his major junior career, the goalie has played 101 regular-season games and 30 more in the playoffs.

Since the start of the 2024-25 season, he has played more than any netminder in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

Remember Meloche’s name. The constant action he earned backstopping the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to back-to-back conference semifinal ... Read the full article

Radim Mrtka headlines Buffalo Sabres’ Prospects Showcase roster

Defenseman Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall pick in 2025, headlines the Buffalo Sabres’ 22-man roster for the upcoming Prospects Showcase against the Boston Bruins at LECOM Harborcenter.

The Sabres, who will hold their first practice this afternoon, host the Bruins at 5 p.m. Sunday and noon Monday.

The roster released Thursday features 11 draft picks, nine invites and three players on AHL contracts. The Sabres drafted Matteo Costantini but signed him to an AHL ... Read the full article

Josh Doan says Sabres will be fine after losing players in trades: ‘A better team’

BUFFALO – Alex Tuch’s departure from the Sabres earlier this summer via a sign-and-trade deal with the Washington Capitals hardly surprised winger Josh Doan.

In the weeks before free agency opened, it appeared the veteran first-line winger’s run in Buffalo could be ending after five seasons.

“There was noise around whether or not he was staying or go,” Doan said prior to throwing out the first pitch at Saturday’s Bisons game against the Worcester Red ... Read the full article

After impressive rookie season, Sabres sign Zach Metsa to contract extension

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday signed defenseman Zach Metsa, one of their biggest surprises last season, to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth $900,000.

Metsa, 27, is entering the final season of a two-year, two-way deal worth $1.63 million he signed in 2025. He can become an unrestricted free agent when his extension expires following the 2027-28 season.

After signing his first NHL contract last year, the 5-foot-9, 198-pound Metsa earned his first recall... Read the full article

Former Sabres prospects have found new jobs all over this summer

For a while, former Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Nikita Novikov looked like a steal as he quickly adapted to North American hockey.

Not only did the Russian generate offense without the benefit of power-play time, he led the Rochester Americans in plus-minus – gaudy ratings of 20 and 28, respectively – in each of his first two seasons.

Novikov, a sixth-round pick in 2021, 188th overall, appeared to be on track to at least earn ... Read the full article

Is trading for Connor Hellebuyck worth the steep price for the Sabres?

As you read this, Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen could be deep into trade talks again with Kevin Cheveldayoff, his counterpart in Winnipeg, trying to pry goalie Connor Hellebuyck away from the Jets.

On Thursday, Hellebuyck, 33, confirmed through a statement released by his agent, Ray Petkau, what had long been suspected: he wants to get the heck out of Winnipeg just two seasons into a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension.

Hellebuyck said he ... Read the full article

Buffalo Sabres to appear on national TV 14 times during 2026-27 schedule

Fresh off winning the Atlantic Division title, the Buffalo Sabres will be appearing on national television broadcasts 14 times during the upcoming season, NHL rights holders announced Wednesday.

The schedule features eight games on TNT/HBO Max, three games on ESPN or ABC’s channels and three exclusive games on ESPN+/Hulu (subscription streaming).

The complete schedule is below.... Read the full article

Buffalo Sabres sell out of season tickets for 2026-27, create waiting list

The Buffalo Sabres’ success last season created so much demand they’ve sold out of season tickets for the 2026-27 season, the team announced Tuesday.

So the Sabres, like they did in the mid-2000s, have started a season-ticket waiting list.

For a $100 deposit, fans will have their name added to the list and be given access to purchase season seats ahead of the general public. They will also receive playoff ticket pre-sale access and a ... Read the full article

Rochester hires Philip Samuelsson as assistant coach

The Rochester Americans on Thursday named Philip Samuelsson, who recently retired following a 15-year pro career as a defenseman, as an assistant coach.

He replaces Nathan Paetsch, who earlier this month left the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate to become head coach of the Youngstown Phantoms.

Samuelsson, 35, played nearly 900 games as a pro, including 13 in the NHL and 512 in the AHL.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Radim Mrtka handled trade rumors well, kept developing

BUFFALO – When word leaked in early March the Sabres would deal defense prospect Radim Mrtka to the St. Louis Blues if veteran defenseman Colton Parayko waived his no-trade clause, Seattle Thunderbirds coach Matt O’Dette said he and his assistants checked in on the youngster.

Their message to Mrtka, 19, was simple: control what you can control.

“He handled it really well,” O’Dette told the Times Herald. “He’s pretty, in a lot of ways, ... Read the full article