Bogosian - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Upper-body injury to sideline Sabres Kyle Okposo ‘weeks’

BUFFALO – An upper-body injury will likely sideline Sabres winger Kyle Okposo “weeks,” coach Ralph Krueger said.

Krueger said while the Sabres don’t have an exact time period for Okposo, “we don’t expect him back here for a while.”

“I’d say it’s more in the weeks category,” Krueger said prior to this afternoon’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets inside KeyBank Center. “We’ll probably be confirming that later today after the game. I don’t just ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo, Zach Bogosian out against Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – With winger Kyle Okposo out for this afternoon’s home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Sabres recalled forward Jean-Sebastien Dea from the Rochester Americans on Friday.

Dea, 25, has compiled 13 goals and 30 points, both team highs, in 41 AHL games this season.

Okposo left Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens early with an upper-body injury.

Coach Ralph Krueger said Okposo was being evaluated Friday and the Sabres wouldn’t give ... Read the full article

With Kyle Okposo injured, Sabres recall Jean-Sebastien Dea from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled forward Jean-Sebastien Dea, the Rochester Americans’ leading scorer, this morning.

Dea, 25, has compiled 13 goals and 30 points in 41 AHL games this season.

The Sabres summoned Dea because winger Kyle Okposo left Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens early with an upper-body injury. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said Okposo will likely miss Saturday afternoon’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Marco Scandella living dream with hometown Canadiens

BUFFALO – Marco Scandella saw the end here coming. Not only did the Sabres have a surfeit of defensemen, he had an expiring contract.

Scandella, 29, knew he was a goner.

Still, when the Sabres traded him to his hometown Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 2 in exchange for a fourth-round pick this year, he was stunned.

“You’re always in shock when you get traded,” Scandella said prior to Thursday’s 3-1 win over the Sabres, ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jason Botterill would like to add forward before trade deadline

BUFFALO – Even after acquiring Michael Frolik earlier this month, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill would like to add another forward before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

The Sabres’ depth up front, of course, was weak before Vladimir Sobotka and Tage Thompson both suffered season-ending injuries in November.

Right now, Victor Olofsson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Evan Rodrigues has been a huge disappointment, scoring just two goals and often sitting out as a ... Read the full article

Colin Miller struggling to adjust, earn playing time with Sabres

BUFFALO – In Vegas, Colin Miller spent two seasons as one of the Golden Knights’ top defensemen, eating up minutes and piling up points.

But Miller, who will return tonight against his old team after sitting out two straight games, hasn’t secured a regular spot with the Sabres. Their biggest offseason acquisition – they traded Vegas two draft picks – has been a healthy scratch 14 times.

When Miller has played, he has often ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart’s presence in circle boosting power play

BUFFALO – Long before he developed into a terrific net-front presence in the NHL, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart operated from the circle on the power play.

“It’s a pretty normal spot,” Reinhart said after scoring a power-play goal from the left circle in Saturday afternoon’s 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks inside KeyBank Center.

After moving back there earlier this month, Reinhart has looked comfortable, scoring on two one-timers.

Those goals, believe it or not, ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Carter Hutton to start against Canucks

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Carter Hutton, who hasn’t won a game since Oct. 22 and has backed up Linus Ullmark the last eight contests, will start this afternoon against the Vancouver Canucks, coach Ralph Krueger said.

Hutton, 34, has struggled since starting the season 6-0-0, compiling a wretched 0-6-4 record with a ghastly 4.19 goals-against average and an .867 save percentage in his last 10 games.

He made his last appearance Dec. 19, making ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Victor Olofsson out five to six weeks with lower-body injury

BUFFALO – A lower-body injury will sideline rookie winger Victor Olofsson, the Sabres’ second-leading scorer, five to six weeks, the team announced today.

His loss is a massive blow to a team fighting for a playoff spot. He ranks second in goals and points on the Sabres, trailing only captain Jack Eichel, his center.

Olofsson has scored 14 goals and 35 points in 42 games this season. He has been a threat from the ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel scores on penalty shot in OT after Sabres lose Victor Olofsson

BUFFALO – For 10 seconds during the first minute of Thursday’s overtime, Sabres captain Jack Eichel stood behind his own net to recharge as his teammates changed.

Possession is critical in three-on-three overtime, especially with Edmonton Oilers superstars Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lurking nearby.

So Eichel wasn’t about to give the puck up. The center waited and waited and waited before the capacity crowd of 19,070 inside KeyBank Center.

At that point, Eichel had ... Read the full article