Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

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

Sabres re-sign Trevor Kuntar, ink Conor Sheary in free agency

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon added forward depth in free agency, signing forward Trevor Kuntar to a two-year contract and Conor Sheary and Jason Polin to one-year deals.

Kuntar, 25, enjoyed a breakout year last season, scoring 21 goals for the Rochester Americans and playing his first NHL game.

The Williamsville native signed an AHL contract last summer before earning an NHL deal during the season. His new contract is a two-way deal.... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Devon Levi to Oilers

BUFFALO – Goalie Devon Levi’s time with the Sabres organization has ended.

The Sabres this afternoon traded Levi, 24, and a seventh-round pick in 2028 to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a third-round pick in 2028.

The Oilers have struggled to find a No. 1 goalie, so Levi, who must clear waivers next season before going to the minors, should have a strong opportunity in Edmonton.

Levi, once a highly touted prospect, fell ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Buffalo’s Dennis Gilbert in free agency

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon brought back a familiar face in free agency, signing defenseman Dennis Gilbert to a one-year, one-way contract worth $850,000.

Right now, the Buffalo native likely ranks eighth on the Sabres’ depth chart.

Gilbert, 29, spent most of 2024-25 with the Sabres after signing as a free agent, registering five assists and 50 penalty minutes in 25 games.... Read the full article

Sabres sign newcomer Olen Zellweger to three-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Olen Zellweger to a three-year, $9.3 million contract.

The deal has a $3.1 million salary cap hit. The Sabres acquired Zellweger, 22, Friday in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks.

Forward Peyton Krebs is the Sabres’ only remaining restricted free agent.... Read the full article