Buffalo News

'Thompson has been a bright spot in a disappointing season for the Sabres. He has 25 goals and 44 points in 45 games. Only 11 NHL players have more goals than Thompson’s 101 since the start of the 2022-23 season. During that span, he has more than Nikita Kucherov, Artemi Panarin and Alex Ovechkin, among others. Thompson is an elite goal scorer, an invaluable asset for any NHL … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson didn’t have Sabres’ only hat trick, but here’s why his was meaningful

'Nicolas Aube-Kubel, 28, was the odd-man out. The winger was placed on waivers and cleared Tuesday, allowing the Sabres to assign the Stanley Cup champion to the Rochester Americans. His spot in Buffalo was awarded to center Tyson Kozak, a 2021 seventh-round draft pick who has been impressive in his nine NHL games this season. Kozak likely will remain with the Sabres until … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Nicolas Aube-Kubel joins Amerks as Tyson Kozak returns to Buffalo

'As for the Sabres? Well, the Red Sox and Capitals and Cubs and Blues all finally won one. Of course, you have that wee little problem of making the playoffs first to solve.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Maybe the Bills and Sabres need a miracle to win the big one. I’ve seen them happen

'Aube-Kubel has one goal, one assist and a minus-4 rating while averaging only 9:32 of ice time across 19 games with Buffalo. He was a healthy scratch in 11 of the last 13 games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres place fourth-line winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel on waivers

'Hockey games in downtown Buffalo used to provide hope to the region when the Bills’ season ended, a second chance to possibly win a championship after their beloved football team fell short of the penultimate goal.' … [Read more...] about A football fan’s midseason guide to the Sabres: Welcome to a chaotic hockey season

'The Sabres had just five shots on goal in the first period but finished the game with a 41-34 advantage as they poured 17 shots at the Edmonton net in the second period and 19 more in the third -- when they outshot the Oilers, 19-7 but couldn't dent the net.' … [Read more...] about Sabres wrap: Offense frustrated as loss in Edmonton wraps up road trip

'The Sabres bought out Skinner during draft weekend in June in Las Vegas and it’s going to be painful for a while. He’s only costing them a shade over $1.4 million this year but the figure jumps to $4.4 million next season and $6.4 million in 2026-27 before dropping to $2.4 million for the final three seasons. He’s not off their cap until the 2030-31 season. It’s Cody Hodgson … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: It’s been a bumpy ride in Edmonton for Jeff Skinner in wake of Sabres’ buyout

'McLeod has 10 goals and 14 assists for the Sabres and is on pace to shatter the career highs of 12 goals and 30 points he set last year for the Oilers, whom he played 105 games for between the regular season and playoffs as Edmonton advanced all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Ryan McLeod back in lineup against old team; Jason Zucker, Rasmus Dahlin uncertain

'For 30 minutes, the Sabres were having their way. They had a 2-1 lead and were outshooting the Flames, 25-10. They were skating hard, were the more physical outfit and were dominating puck control in the offensive zone.' … [Read more...] about Sabres takeaways: Power play, goaltending go cold during loss to Flames

'In Monday’s 6-4 loss to the Kraken, he played 16:26, with a career-high six shots on goal and eight attempts, three hits and an even rating. In Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Vancouver, he had the first three-point game of his NHL career while scoring the tying goal in the third period and then setting up Peterka’s winning goal.' … [Read more...] about Jiri Kulich’s first two games at center after injury have been eye-opening for Sabres

'“That was a really cool experience for all of us,” Jobst told The Buffalo News of the Amerks’ three preseason games while the Sabres were in Europe. “I think that was the first time like, ‘Holy cow, we’re pretty good.’ Obviously, there was turnover and it’s always a young team here, but I think when you go into Ottawa and we just basically steamrolled. … Winning is a muscle. … [Read more...] about How the Amerks are still winning and developing Sabres prospects under a new coach

'But there are so many things wrong here, from the ownership level to the overmatched hockey department and through the roster, that it’s not really fair for Ruff or any other coach to take that responsibility on his own.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Lindy Ruff created some morning mayhem and Sabres took their cue from it

'The Sabres took the practice message to heart with a strong first period that saw them win numerous puck battles at open ice and along the walls. They took a 1-0 lead on Tage Thompson's snapshot at 17:34, scoring first for an NHL-high 30th time in 47 games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres wrap: JJ Peterka sets up tying goal, gets game-winner in rally past Canucks

'Puck battles, board battles, positional battles. You name them and the Sabres lost them.' … [Read more...] about Sabres takeaways: No battle scars earned in another loss to the Kraken

'“It seems so long ago. Eight years ago, wow. I talked to my dad a little bit today because it’s a special moment to be halfway to 1,000. You’re proud of it,” Tuch said. “I worked my entire life to be able to play in the NHL and to be able to play that many games is something I definitely don’t take for granted. I’m very lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to play that … [Read more...] about As he hits 500 NHL career games, Alex Tuch reflects on Game 1 and Sabres’ current plight