Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres bring in John Davidson as senior advisor; Buffalo makes minor trade

The Buffalo Sabres have added to their front office by hiring John Davidson, a popular former goalie and broadcaster who has spent most of the past 20 years working as a president of hockey operations, as a senior advisor, the team announced Monday,

Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, 60, and Davidson, 73, know each other well, having worked closely together with the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues.

Shortly taking over president of hockey ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Peyton Krebs to four-year contract, avoid arbitration

The Sabres on Monday avoided arbitration with Peyton Krebs, signing the versatile forward to a four-year, $18 million contract.

Krebs, 25, was the Sabres’ last restricted free agent. He filed for arbitration last week.

His $4.5 million salary cap hit is the seventh-highest among Buffalo forwards. He just completed a two-year, $2.9 million contract.... Read the full article

In sixth-rounder Dylan Dumont, Sabres could have underrated prospect

BUFFALO – In his first days in Drummondville, the Voltigeurs initiated winger Dylan Dumont, a prospect the Sabres recently drafted in the sixth round, by throwing him headfirst into the fray.

They wanted Dumont, who possesses a slick skill set, to develop a more complete game as a rookie in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League.

“Being able to contribute as much away from the puck than with the puck,” former Drummondville coach Sylvain ... Read the full article

Following career year, Sabres’ Peyton Krebs files for salary arbitration

Buffalo Sabres forward Peyton Krebs has filed for salary arbitration, the NHL Players’ Association announced Sunday.

Krebs, 25, is the Sabres’ only unsigned restricted free agent.

Filing, of course, doesn’t mean a player will go to arbitration. Negotiations can continue. The sides usually reach a deal before the arbitration hearing.... Read the full article

Sabres add goalie depth for Rochester by signing Matt Villalta

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday added goalie depth, signing Matt Villalta to a one-year, two-way contract.

Villalta, 27, gives the Sabres a veteran netminder for the Rochester Americans. He will likely share the net with prospects Topias Leinonen or Scott Ratzlaff, both of whom spent time in the AHL last season.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Villalta has spent most of his career in the AHL, compiling 123-83-20 record with a 2.93 goals-against average, a .903 save ... Read the full article

Prospect Prokhor Poltapov could be ‘Swiss Army knife’ for Sabres

BUFFALO – After his contract in the Kontinental Hockey League expires next year, the Sabres expect prospect Prokhor Poltapov to come to North America and immediately jump into their lineup.

Where could the Russian, a winger the Sabres drafted in the second round in 2021, 33rd overall, fit in?

Tim Kennedy, the Sabres’ new director of player development, worked closely with Poltapov in his previous role as a development coach. He believes the versatile ... Read the full article

After trade, speedy Olen Zellweger sees opportunity with Sabres

When the Stanley Cup Playoffs began in April, Buffalo Sabres newcomer Olen Zellweger found himself watching in the press box as a healthy scratch after enjoying regular duty all season.

Naturally, Zellweger, a defenseman the Sabres acquired in a trade last Friday with the Anaheim Ducks after dealing Bowen Byram, initially felt frustrated. But he said getting benched taught him some lessons.

He started getting back to basics. From his seat high above the ice, ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Aidan McDonough to two-way contract; Matthew Peca inks AHL deal with Rochester

Two established scoring forwards should be joining the Rochester Americans next season.

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday signed Aidan McDonough to a one-year, two-way contract. Meanwhile, veteran Matthew Peca inked a two-year AHL deal.

McDonough, 26, played with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season on an AHL contract, setting career highs across the board by registering 23 goals, a team-high 44 points, a plus-18 rating and 24 penalty minutes in 65 games.... Read the full article

Sabres make depth signings, trade after free agency opens; Jarmo Kekalainen open to making more moves

BUFFALO – After free agency opened Wednesday, the Sabres stayed pretty quiet, signing four depth players likely ticketed for the minors and trading goalie Devon Levi.

While more notable moves could materialize – “We’re still open for business,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in LECOM Harborcenter – the roster might be pretty much set.

“By no means we’re desperate to add anything right now,” Kekalainen said. “It needs to be a perfect fit both from ... Read the full article

Sabres did ‘due diligence’ before hiring Milan Lucic for scouting job

BUFFALO – Before they hired former NHL winger Milan Lucic as a pro scout, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said the Sabres did their “due diligence” on his arrest in 2023 on suspicion of assault and battery on a family member.

Prosecutors later dropped a domestic violence charge.

“We take all those things very seriously, but we have also seen and heard that he’s done a lot of personal growth,” Kekalainen said Wednesday in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article