Asplund - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson knows new contract will ‘take some time’

BUFFALO – Having experienced restricted free agency two years ago, Sabres winger Victor Olofsson understands he must stay patient this offseason.

Olofsson, 26, has already amassed two 20-goal seasons and has shown he possesses the talent to crack the 30-goal mark. Contracts like the one he’s expected to sign are complicated.

The Swede, who’s set to become an RFA again, expects it could take months to reach a new deal.... Read the full article

Before joining Sabres, Rasmus Asplund enjoyed motocross racing career

BUFFALO – On his dirt bike, Rasmus Asplund said it almost felt like he was whisked away to a different world. The Sabres winger would reach speeds of 60 mph and soar high into the air as he sped through the rugged track.

Being a competitive motocross racer was a thrill.

“Maybe it’s a little bit dangerous, the speeds, the jumping,” Asplund told the Times Herald following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center.

Long before Asplund, ... Read the full article

Sabres to change lines against Flyers; Mattias Samuelsson questionable

BUFFALO – In Friday’s practice, Sabres coach Don Granato changed every forward line, tinkering with trios that have recently developed chemistry and enjoyed success.

Granato often explains how he wants his lineup to become interchangeable. While he showcases more patience than most coaches – lines and defense pairs sometimes stay intact for weeks – he’s not afraid to experiment within games or try new things.

So for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson scoring again, evolving into all-around presence

BUFFALO – Since he arrived in the NHL three years ago, the knock on Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has been he’s too one-dimensional, just a shooter who mostly scores power-play goals.

Olofsson, 26, possesses a lethal shot, and he has often utilized his ultra-quick release to pile up power-play goals from the circle.

Over his first 106 NHL games entering this season, Olofsson scored 20 of his 35 goals (57 percent) on the man advantage. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Owen Power impresses again, records first point: ‘Special moment’

BUFFALO – The Sabres drew about 3,000 extra fans Thursday, and you can bet they all came to see ultra-talented defenseman Owen Power play his first home game.

The crowd of 11,565 spectators and Power’s teammates watched him closely all night, sensing something exciting could transpire every time the rookie stepped on the ice.

“Every time he was out there it put a smile on my face,” winger Rasmus Asplund said after Power recorded an ... Read the full article

Owen Power wows in debut, Sabres top Maple Leafs: ‘He’ll be a superstar’

TORONTO – Almost six minutes into his debut, Sabres rookie Owen Power faced his first stiff test as an NHL defenseman, a two-on-one with the Maple Leafs’ Mark Giordano and Auston Matthews roaring toward him.

Giordano, the puck carrier, won the Norris Trophy three years ago. Matthews is hockey’s most dynamic scorer, having potted a whopping 58 goals this season.

Power, the first overall pick in 2021, did not flinch.

During one of his first ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Asplund learning rigors of NHL, grateful for Don Granato’s belief

BUFFALO – The grind of an unforgiving seventh-month, 82-game NHL season has at times been difficult for Sabres winger Rasmus Asplund to handle.

Asplund, 24, said he felt tired, mentally and physically, when he hit the 30-game mark. He has also had trouble adjusting to time changes during road trips and playing back-to-back contests.

So the Swede said his first full NHL season – he played 28 games last year and 29 times in 2019-20... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Dahlin, Auston Matthews battle at Heritage Classic

HAMILTON, Ont. – After absorbing a vicious cross-check in the neck from Auston Matthews, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin did not need much time to cool off.

“About two minutes in the box,” Dahlin said following Sunday afternoon’s win 5-2 over Matthews’ Toronto Maple Leafs in the Heritage Classic at Tim Hortons Field.

After the Leafs fell behind, they lost their cool in the waning minutes, and Matthews and Dahlin shoved each other near the ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Craig Anderson to start; Buffalo to make lineup change

HAMILTON, Ont. – Having already played in two outdoor games, Buffalo Sabres goalie Craig Anderson understands the unique energy fans often bring to the huge venues.

“I think everyone was 25 beers deep,” Anderson joked following Saturday’s practice at Tim Hortons Field.

As expected, Sabres coach Don Granato said Anderson, 40, will start this afternoon’s Heritage Classic against the Toronto Maple Leafs.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin on Thursday’s wild atmosphere: ‘It was unreal’

BUFFALO – It wasn’t just ex-captain Jack Eichel that had the 12,437 fans at KeyBank Center going bonkers throughout Thursday’s wild 3-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

The tight, gritty game featured suspect officiating that drew the ire of the season-high crowd throughout the memorable night. There were also two fights in the intense affair between teams that meet just twice a season.

The Sabres have been playing before the smallest crowds in franchise ... Read the full article