- The Buffalo Sabres suffered a glaring loss to the Philadelphia Flyers earlier today. One of the main reasons for their defensive issues may have been captain Rasmus Dahlin’s absence. According to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News, Dahlin missed today’s game due to illness, and he’s doubtful to play for the team on Sunday against the Washington Capitals. Without Dahlin, Buffalo’s only defensive pairing with a positive rating in today’s matchup was the duo of Bowen Byram and Connor Clifton.
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Sabres Rumors
Sabres Sign Topias Leinonen To Entry-Level Contract
The Sabres announced they’ve signed goaltending prospect Topias Leinonen to his entry-level contract. It’s a three-year deal beginning in the 2025-26 season, but he’ll report to AHL Rochester for the remainder of this year on a tryout. Per PuckPedia, his contract carries a cap hit of $886,667 and breaks down as follows:
2025-26: $775K base salary, $95K signing bonuses, $80K performance bonuses, $82.5K minors salary
2026-27: $775K base salary, $95K signing bonuses, $80K performance bonuses, $82.5K minors salary
2027-28: $825K base salary, $95K signing bonuses, $30K performance bonuses, $82.5K minors salary
Leinonen jumps across the pond three years after Buffalo made him the 41st overall selection of the 2022 draft. The 6’5″ Finn has had an extremely tumultuous run in European professional leagues since being drafted but had a much-needed rebound season in 2024-25. The 21-year-old left the ranks of his home country to play for Mora IK in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier pro league. He responded with a .910 SV%, 2.31 GAA, four shutouts, and a 13-10-0 record in 25 regular-season appearances. Those were his best numbers at any level by a significant margin since his draft year, which he spent primarily in the Finnish U20 circuit. Leinonen also ended the year with a .929 SV% in six postseason games for Mora, but the club failed to gain promotion to the Swedish Hockey League for the first time since 2019.
Leinonen spent the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons across three different leagues in Finland, suiting up for JYP in the top-level Liiga as well as seeing time for their U20 club and second-tier affiliate, KeuPa HT. He failed to record a .900 SV% at any level in both campaigns.
Despite that adversity, his development is back on track – earning him an ELC and likely a regular role with Rochester next season. He still ranks as the No. 12 prospect in Buffalo’s system, per Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, second among goalies behind No. 3 Devon Levi. Levi, a pending restricted free agent, seems poised to re-join Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on the NHL roster next season after excelling with a .916 SV%, 2.27 GAA, and five shutouts in 34 games for Rochester. Leinonen becomes the fourth goalie signed or under team control for next year, joining Luukkonen, Levi, and 20-year-old Scott Ratzlaff, who’ll be turning pro after four junior seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.
Sabres Reassign Joshua Dunne
March 28: The Sabres announced they reassigned Dunne to Rochester today. He suited up in last night’s 7-3 drubbing of the Penguins but still managed to record a minus-one rating in 6:55 of ice time. His demotion comes after winger Jason Zucker returned to practice following a personal leave that caused him to miss Thursday’s game, per Heather Engel of NHL.com, so he should be back in the lineup tomorrow afternoon against the Flyers. Buffalo’s active roster now stands at 24.
March 25: The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Joshua Dunne from the minor leagues. This marks Dunne’s second recall of the season after spending six days with the NHL club earlier this month. Dunne made his Sabres debut during that stint, recording a fighting major and minus-two in seven minutes of ice time. It was the 15th NHL game of Dunne’s career. The previous 14 came with the Columbus Blue Jackets – split between six games in the 2020-21 season and eight in the 2022-23 season. Dunne has yet to manage his first NHL point but has totaled 15 penalty minutes and a minus-nine.
Despite squaring up for his first regular-season NHL fight on his last recall, Dunne has been far less the bruiser in the minors. He’s recorded just 44 penalty minutes in 58 AHL games this season, sixth-most on the Rochester Americans. Dunne has paired those PIMs with nine goals, 26 points, and a plus-11 on the season. It’s been a strong year, though he’s still well clear of the career-high 20 goals, 37 points, and 71 penalty minutes he recorded in 65 games of the 2022-23 AHL season. He lost all but 25 games and seven points of his 2023-24 campaign to a lengthy injury.
Dunne signed with the Blue Jackets as an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2020-21 season. He managed an impressive 10 points in 15 games to start his AHL career but hasn’t found a way to mount the same scoring in four seasons since. Still, his go-to status for the Sabres highlights the impacts Dunne has created away from the puck. He will serve as Buffalo’s extra forward on Tuesday night as Joshua Norris, Jordan Greenway, and Sam Lafferty are expected to sit out with injuries.
Sabres Sign Tyler Kopff To Entry-Level Deal
The Sabres have signed forward Tyler Kopff to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2025-26 season, per a club announcement. He’ll finish out the season on a tryout with AHL Rochester. Per PuckPedia, his deal carries a cap hit of $975K and breaks down as a $877.5K salary with a $97.5K signing bonus each season.
Kopff, 21, is an undrafted free agent coming off his sophomore season at Brown University. The New Jersey native was first eligible for the 2021 draft but spent the year in the state high school system and was far too down the competition ladder to warrant a selection.
He’s produced well everywhere he’s gone since then, though. He jumped to junior ’A’ hockey for his age-18 and age-19 seasons in British Columbia with the Coquitlam Express, posting 42-51–93 in 107 BCHL games over two seasons. Over two years at Brown, he’s added 15-31–46 in 62 games.
He thus leaves college early to turn pro in the Sabres organization, a decision undoubtedly influenced by his 6’4″, 205-lb frame that should make adjusting to the AHL level an easier task. He’s likely not ticketed for an NHL call-up anytime soon, but he gives Buffalo another project for Rochester who should be able to step in immediately as a depth scorer with size.
His deal will expire in the 2027 offseason, making him a restricted free agent. Buffalo now has 26 deals on the books for 2025-26.
Jordan Greenway Removed With Injury
- Buffalo Sabres’ forward Jordan Greenway exited today’s matchup against the Winnipeg Jets with a lower-body injury and did not return, per Michael Derosa of Yahoo Sports. Greenway logged just 4:44 of ice time before exiting after blocking a shot. After setting a career high with 10 goals and 28 points last season, Greenway has struggled to stay healthy this year and has suited up in just 33 games for the Sabres. The 6’6, 230-pound winger has still showcased his physical presence, registering 100 hits in 33 games, all while averaging 15:23 of ice time per game.
Sabres Extend Jacob Bryson
2:47 p.m.: Buffalo confirmed the deal as reported.
1:29 p.m.: The Sabres are closing in on a one-year, one-way extension worth $900K for defenseman Jacob Bryson, PuckPedia reports. He was slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
Bryson’s new deal mirrors what he signed to return to Buffalo last summer after they opted to non-tender him on the conclusion of his two-year, $3.7MM deal that carried a $1.9MM qualifying offer. That’s fair value for the limited role he continues to play as the No. 7 on the Sabres’ depth chart. He’s made 42 appearances this season, up from last year’s 36, although his average ice time has dropped slightly from 14:41 to 14:22.
The 27-year-old was a fourth-round pick by the Sabres back in 2017, so he’s now been affiliated with the organization for eight years and will extend his stay through a ninth. As far as replacement-level players go on the back end, he fits the bill. While not an overly physical rearguard (he has just nine hits this year), he blocks shots well and plays an overall sound defensive game. His 46.8 CF% and -5.7 expected rating at even strength this year are par for the course, considering he starts over 60% of his shifts in the defensive zone. Offensively, he’s posted 4-39–43 in 248 career games as a Sabre, including seven assists in 2024-25.
After making his NHL debut during the COVID-shortened 2021 campaign, he’ll return to Buffalo for his sixth big-league campaign. With the six defenders ahead of him on the depth chart either signed through next season or destined for restricted free agency this summer, he’ll likely start next year in a press-box role again, barring injuries or an unforeseen trade that doesn’t bring an in-kind replacement back to the Sabres. The 5’9″ lefty will now surpass $8MM in estimated career earnings with this deal, per PuckPedia.
Sabres Assign Isak Rosen To The AHL
March 18th, 9:22 am: The Buffalo Sabres have loaned Isak Rosen to their AHL affiliate in Rochester.
March 16th, 10:03 am: The Buffalo Sabres announced that they’ve recalled forwards Isak Rosen and Brett Murray from their AHL affiliate the Rochester Americans. The move continues a busy week for Rosen, who was loaned to the AHL just 72 hours ago after being recalled due to several Sabres players being sick.
Rosen made his debut with Buffalo back on November 25th, 2023, and has dressed in 10 NHL games over two seasons, including three games this year. He has yet to record an NHL point but has topped 50 points in each of the last two AHL seasons, including this year where he has averaged nearly a point a game in 52 games (27 goals and 24 assists).
Rosen was the Sabres’ first round pick in 2021 (14th overall) and has had a difficult time getting traction in the NHL. His lack of offense is obvious, but his underlying numbers are even worse as his possession numbers have been brutal (40% CF% this season, 40.6% for his career).
Murray is a 26-year-old who has yet to play in an NHL game this season. The Bolton, Ontario native has posted some of the best offensive numbers of his career in the AHL this season, with 23 goals and 17 assists in 55 games with Rochester. The Sabres 2016 fourth round pick (99th overall) has dressed in 23 NHL games in his six-year professional career, registering two goals and four assists with a -3 plus/minus and 25 hits.
The Sabres are back in action on Monday night against the Boston Bruins as they play out the string. Buffalo will most likely miss the playoffs this season for the 14th straight year.
Peterka Should Play Against Utah, Bernard-Docker Should Play On Road Trip
- While the Sabres didn’t have JJ Peterka back in the lineup tonight against Boston, he’s on track to return on Thursday versus Utah, reports Lance Lysowski of The Athletic (Twitter link). Peterka has been one of Buffalo’s top scorers all season with 51 points in 61 games and while a playoff chase isn’t going to happen, the 23-year-old is a pending restricted free agent and will undoubtedly be hoping for a strong finish heading into contract talks. Meanwhile, Lysowski added that blueliner Jacob Bernard-Docker should make his Buffalo debut at some point on their four-game road trip. He was acquired at the trade deadline but only recently received his work visa to start skating with the team so he’ll need a few practices to get up to speed first.
Kulich In Concussion Protocol, Peterka And Norris Accompany Sabres On Road Trip
Sabres forward Jiri Kulich has been placed in concussion protocol, head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters today (video link). He left yesterday’s game against Vegas early after taking a hit. However, there’s some hope that it won’t be a long-term injury for the 20-year-old as Ruff wouldn’t rule out the possibility that Kulich could join the team at some point on their upcoming road trip. Kulich has done pretty well in his rookie NHL season, tallying 12 goals and seven assists through 49 games while logging a respectable 14:23 per night of ice time.
- Ruff’s presser also provided updates on two other injured Sabres. JJ Peterka skated before practice today and accompanied the team on the trip; Ruff wouldn’t rule out the winger returning to the lineup on Monday. Peterka has missed the last two games due to a nagging injury, resulting in him slipping to third on the team in scoring with 51 points in 61 games. Meanwhile, recently acquired center Josh Norris had treatment today on his undisclosed injury and was expected to accompany the team on their road trip but he’s not believed to be as close to returning as Peterka. Norris has a goal and an assist in his first three outings in a Buffalo uniform.
Sabres Notes: Kozak, Peterka, Norris, Bernard-Docker, Tullio
Friday morning’s practice brought a wave of roster moves, injury updates, and lineup implications for the Buffalo Sabres. Most notably, the team has recalled depth winger Tyson Kozak from the minor leagues. Kozak has been back and forth between the minor leagues since the start of December, with his most recent call-up coming to an end on January 31st. He’s recorded two points, 11 penalty minutes, and 10 shots on net in seven games since returning to the minors.
Kozak received the first NHL recall of his career on December 5th. He didn’t manage any notable stat changes in his NHL debut, but did score his first NHL goal in his second career game. Buffalo rewarded Kozak with one more game, but returned him to the minors immediately after. He stayed buried through the start of the new year, before being called back up on January 9th for another eight NHL appearances. Kozak didn’t pot any scoring in those games – giving him just one goal in 11 NHL games on the season – though he did see his ice time climb from 7:23 at its lowest to 16:06 at its highest over the extent of the call-up. Another recall will give Kozak a chance to continue carving out a role in the Sabres lineup, while hopefully padding his scoring stats along the way. He has eight goals and 14 points in 31 AHL games this season.
Buffalo should have plenty of room to insert Kozak into the lineup, after top forwards JJ Peterka and Joshua Norris both missed Friday’s practice, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News. Peterka missed Buffalo’s Wednesday matchup against the Detroit Red Wings due to a day-to-day, lower-body injury. He is expected to also miss Saturday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, but will travel with the team on their four-game road trip next week. Peterka has been one of Buffalo’s hottest players over the recent stretch, with a team-leading 10 points in his last nine games. He’s up to a career-high 51 points in 61 games this season.
Norris’ injury remains undisclosed. Head coach Lindy Ruff told Lysowski that Norris has been dealing with the injury for a little bit, and that he’s currently being evaluated by the Sabres’ medical staff. Norris has appeared in three games with Buffalo since joining the team at March 7th’s Trade Deadline. He has two points, split evenly, and 10 penalty minutes in those appearances. News of an injury will force Sabres fans to hold their breath thanks to Norris’ extensive injury history. He hasn’t played more than 66 games in a single season since his pro career began in 2019-20. He’s been impaired by shoulder injuries in every season since 2022. Those injuries have limited Norris in multiple seasons, including holding him out of all but eight games of the 2022-23 campaign. With that in mind, there has been no indication that Norris’ current, undisclosed injury is connected to his previous shoulder troubles.
While Norris was unavailable on Friday, the skate did mark fellow trade acquisition Jacob Bernard-Docker’s first practice with the Sabres. Bernard-Docker was held off the ice for the last week while he tried to secure a work visa that would make him eligible to move from a Canadian team to an American team. He’s spent the season as the extra defender for the Ottawa Senators. He tallied four points in 25 games in the role. This season marks Bernard-Docker’s first full pro season with, so far, no AHL appearances – after bouncing between the major and minor rosters over the last three years. He’s totaled 20 points in 129 NHL Games, and 15 points in 101 AHL games over the course of his short career. The Sabres will likely utilize Bernard-Docker in the same depth role, though he could carve out a roster spot after fellow right-handed defenseman Henri Jokiharju was traded to the Boston Bruins.
In the final move of a busy day in Buffalo, the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, also loaned middle-six winger Tyler Tullio to the Calgary Wranglers. Tullio – acquired in the trade that shipped Ryan McLeod to Buffalo and Matthew Savoie to Edmonton – hasn’t yet found his groove in the Americans lineup. He has just one goal, seven points, and 30 penalty minutes in 30 games played – far below the 21 points he scored in 54 games last year. With no sign of lineup progress in place, he’ll get a chance to carve out a role on a new minor-league squad. Tullio recorded 47 points in 117 games with the Bakersfield Condors over the last two seasons.