All articles tagged with #sabres
Connor Hellebuyck publicly confirmed he has requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets, with the Buffalo Sabres linked as a potential destination; the goalie is under an $8.5 million AAV contract through 2030-31 with a full no-trade clause, and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has said there were frank end-of-season conversations, as training camp approaches and the Jets weigh a move after a down season.
Day 2 of the NHL Draft at KeyBank Center sees Buffalo add three picks (Round 4 124th: Olivers Murnieks; Round 5 156th: Doman Szongoth; Round 6 188th: unnamed in the article) after opening Day 1 with Daxon Rudolph (4th overall) and Ilia Morozov (20th). Rudolph, a high-scoring right-shot defenseman, and Morozov, a hardworking two-way forward who moved from Russia, head Buffalo’s 2026 class. Murnieks is a Latvian 6'1" forward/center who played for Saint John and will attend Boston College, while Szongoth is a 6'0" Hungarian-born center with a strong Finland U20 résumé and hockey pedigree. The team will continue coverage of the class throughout Day 2.
The Buffalo Sabres traded forward Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals in exchange for forward David Kampf and a 2027 third-round pick (originally San Jose’s). Kampf, 31, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after a 6-point season split between Vancouver and Washington, while Tuch, 30, is also slated to hit free agency; Sabres GM Jarmo Kekäläinen indicated re-signing Tuch wasn’t expected, making this a sign-and-trade that ends Tuch’s five-season run in Buffalo (begun after they acquired him from Vegas in 2021).
Bowen Byram was traded from the Sabres to the Chicago Blackhawks for the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, with Buffalo also receiving defenseman Louis Crevier and the No. 45 pick, while Chicago added forward Jordan Greenway; Byram, who posted a career-high 42 points this season, expressed excitement about joining Chicago.
The Buffalo Sabres announced their 2026 preseason schedule, a four-game slate that includes two home games at KeyBank Center (Sept. 22 vs. Columbus and Sept. 26 vs. Pittsburgh) and two road games (Sept. 21 at Pittsburgh and Sept. 24 at Detroit); ticket and broadcast details will follow, with 10-game plans on sale. Under the new CBA, preseason is capped at four games and the regular season will be expanded to 84 games.
Buffalo moved up from 27th to 20th in the NHL Draft (adding defenseman Michael Kesselring) to better target a forward the team covets or to bolster trade leverage. The piece previews 10 forward prospects to watch at No. 20 (plus three added after the swap), with background and scouting notes from NHL Central Scouting and analysts Morreale and Kimelman, including Cover, Hextall, Hurlbert, Ignatavicius, Morozov, Mutryn, Nemec, Nordmark, Preston, Rogowski, Shilov, and the three extras Klepov, Command, Novotny. It emphasizes the broad 15–35 range and the depth of forwards in this draft window.
Konsta Helenius scored the overtime winner to lift Finland to a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in the IIHF World Championship gold medal game, finishing with 3 goals and 6 points in six games after also scoring the semifinal winner against Canada. The 20-year-old winger, who has shone on a top line with Barkov and Granlund, spent a standout season across the AHL and NHL with Buffalo before returning to form for Finland.
Buffalo unleashed seven consecutive goals to erase a 3-1 deficit and beat the Montreal Canadiens 8-3 in Game 6 at the Bell Centre, forcing a decisive Game 7 in Buffalo. Captain Nick Suzuki called the defeat shocking and Montreal’s season now hinges on a strong rebound to reach the Eastern Conference Final, while Buffalo dominated in goals, shots, blocks and faceoffs as the Canadiens’ home-ice form continues to be an issue.
Buffalo erased a 3-1 deficit and roared to an 8-3 win in Game 6 at Montreal to force a winner-take-all Game 7 in Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped all 17 shots in relief after 10 minutes, while the Sabres plated seven unanswered goals, including four on the power play. Rasmus Dahlin had five points (1 goal, 4 assists) and Tage Thompson four (1+3), with Jack Quinn scoring his first career playoff goals and Zach Benson adding a multi-point night. Konsta Helenius also scored, and Zach Metsa debuted with a playoff goal. Buffalo set a road playoff record with eight goals, and Game 7 will be Monday at KeyBank Center on ESPN.
Montreal hosts Buffalo in Game 6 at the Bell Centre, aiming to clinch the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The day features a full playoff atmosphere with rally towels, a Street Edition watch party, and Fan Jam as Montreal looks to capitalize on a dangerous power play while Buffalo’s goaltending has struggled; Cole Caufield is a key spark for the Canadiens as they try to close the series at home.
In Game 5 in Buffalo, Montreal looks to take the edge after a Game 4 loss and seize momentum as the series sits 2-2, while Buffalo aims to tighten defensively and capitalize on their power plays; key players to watch are Alex Newhook for the Canadiens and Zach Benson for the Sabres.
Buffalo, down 2-1 in the second-round series, head to Montreal for Game 4 at the Bell Centre with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen back in goal and Konsta Helenius making his playoff debut; lineup tweaks include Ryan McLeod dropping to the fourth line and Luke Schenn returning on defense, as the Sabres try to rebound after two losses while Montreal remains ahead behind Alex Newhook’s recent scoring. ESPN will televise the game; WGR 550 and the Sabres App will carry radio coverage, with a 6:30 p.m. pregame and additional shows on MSG and the team’s channels.
Montreal expects Buffalo to adjust in Game 4 of the second-round series after the Canadiens’ 6-2 win in Game 3; players emphasize staying smart and in control in a best-of-seven, while 21 skaters hit the ice at the Bell Centre ahead of a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.
Montreal's packed arena and outdoor plaza helped energize the Canadiens to a 6-2 win over the Sabres in Game 3 of the second round, powered by a youthful core (Caufield, Suzuki, Slafkovsky, Hutson, Demidov) and a rabid fanbase that rattled Buffalo on the road.
Montreal dominated Buffalo 6-2 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead, using a fast, crisp game to overwhelm the Sabres at the Bell Centre. Buffalo struggled with turnovers, penalties, and getting enough speed and traction, while Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes slammed the door in the third. Ruff signaled that Buffalo must reset, possibly shuffle lines or personnel, and replicate their late-season resolve as they head back to Buffalo for Game 4 to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole.