Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

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

Sabres trade prospect Stiven Sardarian to Hurricanes

The Buffalo Sabres today traded the rights to unsigned forward prospect Stiven Sardarian to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for future considerations.

Sardarian, who has played the last four seasons in the NCAA, was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Saturday. The Russian, however, did not submit paperwork to NHL Central Registry indicating he is no longer an undergraduate student, according to Puckpedia.com.

He will remain on a reserve list until paperwork is filed, ... Read the full article

Ex-Sabres star Jeff Skinner finds home overseas; Buffalo adds to hockey staff

Winger Jeff Skinner, who will count $6.4 million against the Buffalo Sabres’ salary cap in the upcoming season, has signed a one-year contract with EHC Biel, a team in the Swiss League.

Skinner, 34, played 32 games for the San Jose Sharks last season, scoring six goals and 13 points before having his one-year contract terminated.

After the Sabres exercised a buyout for final three seasons of his eight-year, $72 million contract following the ... Read the full article

Sabres set to induct Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek into Hall of Fame Jan. 14

Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek will be inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame prior to the Jan. 14 game against the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center, the team announced today.

The former captains and high-scoring wingers entered the NHL together in 2005-06 and will become the 45th and 46th members of the team’s hall of fame.

During a reunion last season of the beloved team they starred for as rookies, the Sabres surprised ... Read the full article

Nathan Paetsch leaves Rochester for head coaching job in Youngstown

Nathan Paetsch, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Rochester Americans, has left the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate to become head coach of the Youngstown Phantoms.

The Phantoms, a junior team, play in the United States Hockey League. Ryan Ward, their last coach, recently moved up to the AHL to become an assistant with the Providence Bruins.

Paetsch, 43, spent 17 seasons in Buffalo’s organization as player, assistant coach ... Read the full article

After long junior career, former Sabres standout Jay McKee ready to coach pro with AHL Hamilton Hammers

In his early days as a coach, Jay McKee said he visualized success the same way he had as a player. The popular former defenseman, a linchpin on some beloved Buffalo Sabres teams in the late 1990s and early 2000s, wanted to reach the highest level as quickly as possible.

“As a former athlete … you strive to be at the top level,” said McKee, who played his first NHL game at 18 and secured ... Read the full article

Blue Jackets hire former Sabres coach Don Granato as assistant

Former Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato is back in the NHL.

The Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday named Granato an assistant coach on Rick Bowness’ staff.

Granato, 58, most recently led Team USA’s entry in the World Championship in the spring, his first head coaching gig since his dismissal from the Sabres following a sixth-place finish in the Atlantic Division in 2023-24.... Read the full article

Sabres to host Prospects Showcase rookie games Sept. 13 and 14

The Buffalo Sabres’ annual preseason rookie tournament will have a different look this year.

The Sabres announced today they will host a two-game Prospects Showcase against the Boston Bruins on Sept. 13 and 14 at LECOM Harborcenter.

Beginning in 2015, the Sabres annually hosted the Prospects Challenge, a tournament that featured five or six teams.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Luke Osburn displayed talents of special defenseman in first year at Wisconsin

BUFFALO – University of Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings said he sometimes tells Sabres defense prospect Luke Osburn to take a break and stay off the ice.

While Osburn’s strong work ethic is one of greatest strengths – “The standard he sets for himself is at an elite level,” Hastings told the Times Herald – he occasionally needs to take a step back.

“He’s a very good self-evaluator,” Hastings said. “He’s one of those few players, ... Read the full article