Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on Connor Hellebuyck trade rumors and sharing the net: ‘I want to be here’

BUFFALO – By now, eight years into his pro career, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has grown accustomed to hearing his name in trade talk.

The Finn earned the label as the Sabres’ goalie of the future in his teens before injuries, struggles and a goalie prospect named Devon Levi, who was traded July 1, took some of the shine off him.

Over the years, rumors have swirled Luukkonen’s time in Buffalo could be ending.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Lindy Ruff, players have special night at Bills game

BUFFALO – Before he chatted with the media Thursday following the first sessions of training camp, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff joked to make it short because “a man’s got to tailgate.”

Ruff and his team were heading to Orchard Park later in the day to watch the Bills and Detroit Lions play the first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium.

So, did Ruff have some fun in the parking lot before the Bills’ memorable ... Read the full article

Sabres begin season confident they’re better than last year: ‘We’re not the old Sabres anymore’

BUFFALO – Confidence is powerful thing, center Tage Thompson said. Fresh off a breakout 50-win, 109-point campaign in which nearly every player improved or enjoyed a career season, the Sabres entered the summer feeling pretty darn good about themselves.

Having grinded together for nine months and enjoyed so much success, the Sabres feel like they can tackle any challenge as a group this season.

“We have a lot of that with our group right now,” ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen on start of season, different expectations, Connor Hellebuyck trade speculation and more

BUFFALO – In his remarks to the Sabres as training camp got underway Wednesday, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen stressed they must put last season’s breakout 50-win, 109-point season behind them.

In winning the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division and ending their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought, the Sabres morphed into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender and became the league’s darling.

While it was all a blast – the 10-game win streak, the rollicking 39-9-5 run, the first postseason ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Eric Staal takes on new role as coach; Buffalo has early injuries

BUFFALO – In addition to his role as a special assistant to general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, former Sabres center Eric Staal will now be doing on-ice work during the season, coach Lindy Ruff said Wednesday.

“He’s going to help us with centermen, and he’s going to help out on the power play,” Ruff said in LECOM Harborcenter, where the Sabres will hold their first on-ice sessions of training camp Thursday. “He’s basically an assistant coach, ... Read the full article

Sabres injury updates: Jason Zucker could miss start of season after surgery

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jason Zucker underwent offseason sports hernia surgery and could miss the first two weeks of the regular season, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Wednesday after players reported to training camp.

“He’s very close to the start of the year,” Kekalainen said in LECOM Harborcenter.

Meanwhile, Kekalainen said defenseman Louis Crevier, who arrived in the offseason trade that sent Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, underwent shoulder surgery and will likely be ... Read the full article

Sabres assign four prospects to junior; Rochester adds forward and goalie

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday assigned four prospects – defenseman David Bedkowski, goalie Samuel Meloche and forwards Dylan Dumont and Doman Szongoth – to their respective junior teams.

All four participated in the Prospects Showcase games the Sabres played against the Boston Bruins on Sunday and Monday at LECOM Harborcenter.

In other news, the Rochester Americans on Tuesday agreed to terms with forward Thomas Bordeleau and goalie Talyn Boyko one-year AHL contracts.... Read the full article

Sabres sign Noah Ostlund to eight-year, $52.8 million contract

BUFFALO – Just 71 total NHL games were enough to convince the Sabres that center Noah Ostlund deserved a lucrative long-term contract.

The Sabres on Monday signed the Swede to an eight-year, $52.8 million contract. That’s a $6.6 million average annual value for the 22-year-old, the 16th overall pick in 2022.

“Awesome day for the organization,” Rochester Americans coach Mike Leone, who coached Ostlund in the AHL, said Monday following the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss ... Read the full article

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