BUFFALO – By the end of a trying season, Sabres center Tage Thompson recaptured the slick form that made him one of the NHL’s elite scorers last year. To wit: in his final 28 games, he recorded 14 goals and 27 points. He often performed dynamically over his last 18 outings, scoring 11 goals and 21 points. That’s a torrid 50-goal, 95-point pace over 82 games, very close his 47-goal, 94-point campaign in 2022-23. But ... Read the full article The post By end of difficult season, Sabres’ Tage Thompson became elite scorer again first appeared on Buffalo Hockey Beat ..read more

ROCHESTER – On the bench in overtime, coach Seth Appert heard it. Center Tyson Kozak touched the puck, seemingly negating an icing call against the Americans. Instead, the officials let the icing stand, sending the faceoff into the Rochester zone. “It’s a terrible call,” Appert said following Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Syracuse Crunch in Game 2 of the AHL North Division semifinal. “Clear as day, and Kozak is honest as the day ... Read the full article The post Faceoffs, tips doom Rochester in loss; Devon Levi shines for Amerks first appeared on Buffalo Hockey Beat ..read more

ROCHESTER – Following the Calder Cup Playoffs, Devon Levi will likely bid adieu to the minors for good. In his brief time here, the Sabres prospect has morphed into the Americans’ backbone, emerging as one of the AHL’s elite goalies. Next season, Levi, 22, is expected to graduate to Buffalo, where he will compete for playing time with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In the meantime, the rookie has an opportunity to lead the Amerks on a deep ... Read the full article The post Sabres prospect Devon Levi dazzles in playoff debut as Rochester grabs lead first appeared on Buffalo Hockey Beat ..read more

BUFFALO – It’s no secret Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams leaned heavily on former coach Don Granato for roster decisions. Adams regularly signed or traded for players Granato had connections to, often from his days coaching junior with the US National Team Development Program. When the Sabres acquired winger Jordan Greenway prior to the trade deadline in 2023, Adams said Granato pounded the table for him. Adams made similar comments after they signed defenseman Connor ... Read the full article The post Sabres notes: Will Lindy Ruff have input in trades, other roster decisions? first appeare ..read more

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Nikita Novikov displayed special offensive instincts throughout his first regular season in North America. “Borderline high-end,” said coach Seth Appert, whose Americans open the Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday at Blue Cross Arena in a best-of-five series against the Syracuse Crunch. Without the benefit of power-play time, the 6-foot-4, 209-pound Novikov compiled 20 assists, a high total for a rookie acclimating to a different brand of hockey. “You don’t ... Read the full article The post Rochester rookie Nikita Novikov looks like special Sabres defens ..read more

BUFFALO – Before the Sabres re-hired Lindy Ruff, one of the coach’s prominent former players, Jason Pominville, said he texted some friends and told them, “It has to be him. They have to bring him back.” “Like, this is the time to bring him back,” Pominville wrote to them. He had no inside information during the Sabres’ search for Don Granato’s replacement. The former winger simply knew Ruff could help a young, talented ... Read the full article The post Ex-Sabres Jason Pominville, Ryan Miller know Lindy Ruff can succeed in Buffalo first appeared on Buffalo Hockey Beat ..read more

BUFFALO – During Lindy Ruff’s re-introduction as Sabres coach, the assistant coaches he inherited from his predecessor, Don Granato, sat in the front row watching their new boss speak. Ruff said he spent “what seemed like a couple hours” talking with the coaches Tuesday morning prior to his news conference. Right now, Ruff has one open spot on his staff. The Sabres also fired assistant coach Jason Christie when they dismissed Granato. “Looking to add ... Read the full article The post What will Sabres’ Lindy Ruff do with his assistant coaches? first appeared on Buffalo Hockey Beat ..read more

BUFFALO – When he addressed the media after firing Don Granato, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said he knew the exact type of head coach he wanted to hire. Adams coveted experience. His new coach would be an NHL veteran capable of pushing the Sabres, who own an NHL-record 13-year playoff drought, to the next level. It wasn’t hard to tell who he was talking about. Late Monday afternoon, the Sabres made it official, naming ... Read the full article The post He’s back in Buffalo: Sabres name Lindy Ruff coach first appeared on Buffalo Hockey Beat ..read more

Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson, who scored a career-low eight goals this season, will represent Team Sweden at the upcoming World Hockey Championship. The Sabres are expected to let Olofsson, 28, leave as an unrestricted free agent this summer. Players who have expiring contracts often don’t want to risk injury and turn down invitations to the tournament. Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, both of whom can become restricted free agents, said ... Read the full article The post Sabres’ Victor Olofsson to play for Team Sweden at World Championship first appe ..read more

BUFFALO – General manager Kevyn Adams wants his new head coach to have already run an NHL bench, so that could eliminate Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert from consideration for the Sabres’ open job. “Previous NHL head coaching experience, pedigree, is important,” Adams said Tuesday in KeyBank Center after firing Don Granato. Appert, 49, is a hockey lifer, having coached since his days as a college goalie ended in 1996. He has enjoyed success ... Read the full article The post Could the Sabres promote Rochester Amerks coach Seth Appert to Buffalo? first appeared on Buffalo Hockey Beat ..read more