Buffalo News

'“When I’m here, my focus is on the Sabres and trying to do everything that our Rochester staff and player development staff can to put these players in the best position to show well in Sabres camp for the Sabres coaches and management,” Appert said. “Obviously, that’s their dream and that’s our goal to get them there. There’s going to be a good chunk of these guys that will … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Sabres’ Prospect Challenge games are our first look at key parts of Amerks’ core

'"I thought a lot of guys did a good job tonight," said Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert. I thought (Savoie) and (Zach Benson) just got better and better as the game went on. I thought Rosen was excellent from the drop of the puck, was a real dominant player from the drop of the puck."' … [Read more...] about Matt Savoie, Isak Rosen impress in Sabres’ opening win at Prospects Challenge

'The breakthrough for Cederqvist began in 2020-21, when he produced nine goals and 36 points in 51 games with Tingsryds AIF in HockeyAllsvenskan, and it earned him a full-time role with Djurgardens IF in the SHL the following season. Bigger, stronger and carrying wisdom from multiple pro seasons, Cederqvist showed the Sabres in 2021-22 that he was deserving of a contract.' … [Read more...] about Filip Cederqvist persevered through brutal year to become key Sabres prospect

'Lots of players can score, of course. Kulich has to keep developing his game and find multiple ways to do it. His shot is so lethal that he should be able to eventually dent the net from the flank like we’re so used to seeing from Tage Thompson and Victor Olofsson.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Jiri Kulich’s evolution might be most pressing item to watch at Sabres prospect games

'But as the 50th anniversary of the Tsujimoto selection approaches, the Sabres can do the right, hilarious and historic thing. Name this next official team canine after the 11th-round draft pick who could have become a star like fifth-round picks Ryan Miller or Alexander Mogilny … or a disappointment like first-round pick Marek Zagrapan.' … [Read more...] about Rachel Lenzi: Doggone it, the Sabres must name their new pup ‘Taro’!

'The NHL’s development agreement with the CHL prevents players with fewer than four full seasons in the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League or Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from playing in the AHL unless he is assigned by the NHL club for a conditioning assignment. Savoie also misses the age cutoff by one day because he doesn’t turn 20 until Jan. 1.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Matt Savoie unlikely to receive an exemption to start season in Rochester

'At forward, the Sabres will also have 2023 first-round draft pick Zach Benson, top prospect Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen, Tyson Kozak, Filip Cederqvist, Viktor Neuchev, Olivier Nadeau, Aleksandr Kisakov and Ethan Miedema. They also invited five forwards whom they didn’t draft: Riley Fiddler-Schultz, Graham Slaggert, Lawson Shrek, Damien Giroux and Dominick Mersch.' … [Read more...] about Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich headline Sabres’ roster for Prospects Challenge

'On the ice, Devon Levi listened to instructions from his longtime goalie coach, Marco Raimondo, then skated toward his crease to prepare to stop a barrage from three shooters. One by one, Levi stymied their attempts to score with ease, each movement as perfectly executed as the last with a singular objective on his mind: stay square to the puck.' … [Read more...] about How Devon Levi spent the summer ‘leveling up’ in pursuit of Sabres’ crease

'Pegula has plenty of experience in sports – he purchased the Sabres in 2011 and the Bills in 2014 – but he is unlikely to be running either team on a day-to-day basis. That will be the job of Roth, a former investment-fund manager whom Pegula appointed to be chief operating officer of the Sabres in January. In July, when Pegula fired Ron Raccuia as the Bills’ COO, Roth added … [Read more...] about Analysis: What we know about the changes to the Bills, Sabres organizations

'Each of the NHL’s 32 teams were instructed by commissioner Gary Bettman to not have their players wear specialty-themed jerseys during warmups ahead of any theme night, including Pride, which the Sabres will hold March 14 when they celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community ahead of a game against the New York Islanders.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ theme nights for 2023-24 include Pride; Goatheads to be worn 15 times

'My gnawing concern is this: What happens if cost overruns continue to mount for the new Highmark Stadium? Might Pegula have no choice but to part with a piece of his hockey team – or perhaps unload it entirely – to collect the bulk of the money needed to complete his football team’s new playpen in Orchard Park?' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Temptations are great but it doesn’t feel like the right time for Terry Pegula to get out of hockey

'Now, Thompson’s contract might be among the best bargains in the NHL. According to CapFriendly.com, Thompson’s $7.142 million annual cap hit is lower than 89 players. His teammate, Dylan Cozens, is right behind Thompson at $7.1 million.' … [Read more...] about One year later, Tage Thompson’s $50 million contract looks like a bargain for Sabres

'However, the Sabres’ matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 30 is one of six games that will require a subscription to ESPN+ or Hulu. The others that will be streamed exclusively on the platforms are a Dec. 5 game against Detroit in Buffalo, an Atlantic Division matchup on the road with the Florida Panthers on Feb. 27, Jack Eichel’s return to KeyBank Center with the … [Read more...] about 15 Buffalo Sabres games this season will be national broadcasts

'Official plans have yet to be released, but it’s clear where this is targeted: It’s about reducing the number of Canadian fans in the building for visits by Toronto and Montreal, the number of Pennsylvania fans in the house when Pittsburgh is here. Same for the number of downstate fans coming to see the New York Rangers, or Michigan fans following the Detroit Red Wings.' … [Read more...] about Sabres planning experiment to make sure their fans gets first chance at tickets

'The announcement also raises questions about the future of the hockey team the Pegulas have owned since 2011. And it comes at a pivotal time for the Sabres, playing in an aging arena that is in need of upgrades at a time when the team is coming off a season when it barely missed the playoffs and expectations are high for further improvement in the upcoming season.' … [Read more...] about Pegula Sports and Entertainment dissolved at key time for Buffalo Sabres