WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Anders Nilsson enjoyed a strong preseason. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Before practice started this morning, goalie coach Andrew Allen, 40, was on the ice in full gear putting a few players through some paces, a sign one of the Sabres’ regulars was unavailable.
It turns out No. 1 goalie Robin Lehner is sick and unavailable for Tuesday’s tilt in Philadelphia, coach Dan Bylsma said.
“Hoping he would pull through this morning,” Bylsma said inside KeyBank Center.
Bylsma said backup Anders Nilsson will make ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner tries to stop Colorado’s Erik Johnson last season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – At first glance, you might not recognize Robin Lehner. While the 6-foot-5 Sabres goalie wouldn’t give an exact number, he appears to have shed around 40 pounds since April. His hair, which he has often worn long, is closely cropped. His bushy beard is gone.
“I’ve lost a decent amount of weight, got in shape,” Lehner said Monday after skating inside HarborCenter. “I’ve done some life changes. It’s not always going in ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner shed pounds and hair this offseason. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – At first glance, you might not recognize Robin Lehner. While the 6-foot-5 Sabres goalie wouldn’t give an exact number, he appears to have shed around 40 pounds since April. His hair, which he has often worn long, is closely cropped. His bushy beard is gone.
“I’ve lost a decent amount of weight, got in shape,” Lehner said this morning after skating inside HarborCenter. “I’ve done some life changes. It’s not always going ... Read the full article
Dave Barr spent one year with the Sabres. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres now have two assistant coaching vacancies, as Dave Barr has left the team to join former teammate Gerard Gallant’s staff with the Florida Panthers, according to multiple reports.
Sabres coach Dan Bylsma’s first staff – one that appeared to mesh quickly and work well together – has only assistant Terry Murray and goalie coach Andrew Allen left. The team shifted assistant Dan Lambert to Rochester last month to coach the AHL ... Read the full article
Jason Kasdorf signed last month. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Goalie Jason Kasdorf could make his NHL debut in one of the Sabres’ final games this season, coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon following the rookie’s first full practice.
“It’s still realistic,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center.
Kasdorf, 23, arrived from R.P.I two weeks ago with a groin injury he suffered in his final NCAA game. He said he’s fully recovered. The Winnipeg native recently started working with goalie coach Andrew ... Read the full article
Hudson Fasching made an appearance at the First Niagara Center in 2012 at the All-American Prospects Game. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Somewhere in Minnesota earlier today, the Fasching family was probably anxiously waiting for Sabres rookie Hudson Fasching to phone home with some special news.
“I think they’re kind of ready if they get the call,” Fasching said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.
Minutes after Fasching spoke, following a chat with Sabres coach Dan Bylsma, he likely called his parents to tell them he would be making his NHL debut Saturday afternoon ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers is out for the season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tyler Myers’ first game back here will have to wait until another season. The Winnipeg Jets defenseman underwent knee surgery Thursday and will miss the rest of the year.
The Jets make their yearly visit to the First Niagara Center on Saturday afternoon.
After Myers’ knee is stabilized and the season ends, he will undergo major hip surgery that requires 16 to 20 weeks of recovery, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.
“He ... Read the full article
Sabres goalie Chad Johnson stops Ottawa’s Bobby Ryan on Friday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In the span of six months, Sabres goalie Chad Johnson has been a backup, a starter, part of a platoon with rookie Linus Ullmark and a backup again.
For this weekend at least, with Robin Lehner sidelined, Johnson is the Sabres’ top netminder again.
Johnson started Friday’s 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center, his fifth straight victory, and will get another nod tonight in Toronto against the Maple ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner’s ankle is still tender. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When Sabres goalie Robin Lehner returned from a high ankle sprain in January, he knew the injury that shelved him more than three months would linger the rest of the season.
That right ankle, Lehner has recently learned, is still very tender.
The Swede has jammed it into the post twice in the last week, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said, including in Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Montreal.
Lehner missed today’s practice inside ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner has looked sharp in his last five appearances. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In the beginning of the season, back when the Sabres’ netminding was a huge question mark, coach Dan Bylsma said he scribbled some numbers on a board in goalie coach Andrew Allen’s office.
Countless components must mesh for success in the modern NHL, but if a coach doesn’t receive great goaltending in this low-scoring era, his team is essentially cooked.
Right now, Sabres goalie Robin Lehner has compiled stronger numbers – a 2.22 ... Read the full article
