Bill Hoppe

Buffalo

Reporter at Buffalo News

Contributor at WBFO-FM (Buffalo, NY)

Covering the Buffalo Sabres for the Times Herald. Email me at [email protected].

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Articles

Helenius learning the physical part of North American hockey on the fly

5 days ago | niagara-gazette.com | Bill Hoppe

ROCHESTER – In the not-so-distant past, Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius would’ve been anywhere but in front of the net jockeying with an opponent for positioning. “First half of the year … he would be somewhere in the corner, hiding in the second or third row, hiding in the weeds, you know?” Americans assistant coach Vinny Prospal told GNN Sports following Friday’s practice in Blue Cross Arena.
Sabres make first move of offseason, hire Eric Staal as special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams

1 week ago | buffalohockeybeat.com | Bill Hoppe

The Sabres on Wednesday hired former NHL center Eric Staal, who played 32 games for Buffalo in the dreary 2020-21 season, as a special assistant to general manager Kevyn Adams. Staal, 40, will report directly to Adams and be used in all aspects of the hockey department, including scouting and work with players and prospects. Adams and Staal, of course, know each other well, having won the Stanley Cup as teammates the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
NHL Draft Lottery: Sabres fall two spots, will pick ninth overall

1 week ago | buffalohockeybeat.com | Bill Hoppe

The Buffalo Sabres moved back two spots to the ninth overall selection in Monday’s NHL Draft Lottery. The New York Islanders, who had the 10th-highest odds for the first selection, just 3.5 percent, won the lottery and the right to select perhaps defenseman Matthew Schaefer or center Michael Misa first overall. The Sabres, thanks to their disappointing 79-point finish, had 6.5 percent odds for the top pick.
NHL Draft Lottery: Sabres will likely get nice prospect with first pick, but could they trade it?

1 week ago | buffalohockeybeat.com | Bill Hoppe

There’s a belief that instead of using his first-round pick to draft a prospect next month, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams might trade it to pry away some established talent from one of his counterparts. In his first five years, Adams has resisted the temptation to deal one of his coveted early selections before the NHL Draft.
Tuch developed into two-way forward in rebound season for Sabres

1 week ago | niagara-gazette.com | Bill Hoppe

BUFFALO – Over the final 30 games this season, Sabres winger Alex Tuch ranked among the NHL’s elite offensive threats, scoring a whopping 20 goals. From Feb. 4 until April 17, that gaudy total tied for the most in the league with Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin, the most prolific goal scorer in history. kAm%92E’D 6=:E6 4@>A2?J[ 7@C DFC6]k^Am kAm%F49[ H9@ EFC?D ah @? |2J `_[ D9@H42D65 C6>2C<23=6 4@?D:DE6?4J 5FC:?8 E92E E@CC:5 DEC6E49[ ?6G6C 6?5FC:?8 >@C6 E92?
Fresh off career season, will Alex Tuch sign contract extension with Sabres?

1 week ago | buffalohockeybeat.com | Categories Adams |Bill Hoppe

BUFFALO – Over the final 30 games this season, Sabres winger Alex Tuch ranked among the NHL’s elite offensive threats, scoring a whopping 20 goals. From Feb. 4 until April 17, that gaudy total tied for the most in the league with Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin, the most prolific goal scorer in history. That’s elite company, for sure. Tuch, who turns 29 on May 10, showcased remarkable consistency during that torrid stretch, never enduring more than a two-game goal drought.
Clague producing for Amerks in long-awaited playoff return

2 weeks ago | niagara-gazette.com | Bill Hoppe

ROCHESTER – Technically, Americans defensemen Kale Clague had played a playoff game in pro hockey before last weekend. In 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the AHL to play a truncated schedule, it did not hold the Calder Cup Playoffs. However, some Pacific Division teams held a small postseason tournament at the Anaheim Ducks’ practice facility with no fans in attendance. kAmr=28F6[ ae[ A=2J65 @?6 82>6 7@C E96 ~?E2C:@ #6:8?
Episode 74: Draft Drama

2 weeks ago | share.fireside.fm | Bill Hoppe |Nick Sabato

April 30th, 2025 • 48 mins 31 secs • Download (66.6 MB) • Link with Timestamp Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane sounded off on NFL draft criticisms, the Bills went heavy on defense and didn't take a wide receiver. Buffalo News columnist Ryan O'Halloran joins the show to talk Buffalo's draft decisions and Beane's outburst.
After ending season on tear, will Sabres’ James Reimer retire or keep playing?

2 weeks ago | buffalohockeybeat.com | Bill Hoppe

BUFFALO – James Reimer’s superb goaltending down the stretch for the Sabres showed he possesses the talent to return for his 16th season. Even at 37, an advanced age, he ranked among the NHL’s hottest netminders, compiling a gaudy 8-2-0 record from March 23 until the season ended, including a career-long seven-game winning streak. His win total during that torrid stretch was tied for first in the league with Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper, a Vezina Trophy finalist.
Sabres top prospects shine as Amerks take 2-0 playoff lead

2 weeks ago | niagara-gazette.com | Bill Hoppe

ROCHESTER – Don’t let the 4-0 final fool you. For much of Sunday afternoon, the Americans held a tenuous grip on a one-goal lead against the Syracuse Crunch. After rookie winger Konsta Helenius put them up early, the Amerks could’ve unraveled in the second period of Game 2 of their AHL North Division semifinal series. kAm%96 rCF?49 3FKK65 2C@F?5 8@2=:6 s6G@? {6G:[ @FED9@@E:?8 E96 9@>6 E62> `d\e 2?5 2=D@ 9:EE:?8 E96 A@DE 5FC:?8 2 =2E6 A@H6C A=2J]k^Am kAm%96 p>6C<D =@DE 'D6G@=@5 z@>2C@G H96?