WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Alex Tuch talks to the media this morning. ©2022
BUFFALO – While he quarantined in his apartment, Sabres winger Alex Tuch received a few items from the rink, including some workout bands, so he could exercise a bit.
But Tuch, who said he felt symptom-free after testing positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday, did not do much formal exercising. Instead, he tried to eat healthy, sleep well and stay active around his place.
“If that meant cleaning the apartment two to three times a day, ... Read the full article
Anders Bjork has scored four goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Over his first 44 games with the Sabres, winger Anders Bjork has struggled to maintain consistency, mostly showcasing flashes of his talent.
Bjork, 25, scored opening night before beginning a 10-game goalless stretch. After scoring in back-to-back contests, he endured a 12-game goal drought in which he was scratched twice.
Sabres coach Don Granato said Bjork must learn to regularly imprint his identity as a player – “His is speed and quickness,” he ... Read the full article
Jacob Bryson has missed four games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Of the seven defensemen the Sabres have kept all season, only two, Rasmus Dahlin and Mark Pysyk, have played more than 30 games.
Defensemen, of course, are often at a premium. The rugged nature of the position makes them susceptible to damage.
As injuries and COVID-19 cases recently mounted, Sabres coach Don Granato cobbled together a defense corps. He utilized two rookies, giving Casey Fitzgerald and Ethan Prow their first NHL action.
But ... Read the full article
Jacob Bryson has missed two games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday, as zero Sabres entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
Henri Jokiharju, who was held out of Tuesday’s practice as the team awaited test results, skated in Wednesday’s session, giving the Sabres a full defense corps.
“It was a relief on many fronts, just even to run a better practice with six full D,” Granato said of no one entering protocol. “But … they go into ... Read the full article
Anders Bjork is one of six Buffalo players in protocol. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato said dealing with COVID-19 and the chaos it creates has become “almost a new normal.” For two weeks, the virus has been ravaging the Sabres, forcing players and staff members into the NHL’s protocol and five games to be postponed.
On Tuesday, three more players – forward Anders Bjork, Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch – went into protocol. Granato said the Sabres also held defenseman Henri Jokiharju out of practice ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo is one of three Sabres in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Just when the Sabres appeared to be getting over their COVID-19 problems, two players today, winger Kyle Okposo and defenseman Casey Fitzgerald, entered the NHL’s protocol.
“There’s no question this has been ridiculously challenging,” said Sabres coach Don Granato, who received three players back from protocol for this morning’s practice.
Okposo, 33, started practicing before the Sabres yanked him off the KeyBank Center ice when they learned his test results.
“Everything’s a concern ... Read the full article
Don Granato caught a flight to Boston on Saturday morning. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
Don Granato’s Saturday began in the predawn hours in Buffalo. The coach knew he was close to clearing the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. So receiving good test results meant he join the Sabres in Boston for their matinee.
“I was waiting literally minute by minute in hopes of being here,” Granato said on a Zoom call prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins at TD Garden.
When Granato received clearance, he hopped on ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol Dec. 21. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Sabres wingers Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner have left the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and could play in this afternoon’s road game against the Boston Bruins, according to The Buffalo News.
Hinostroza, 27, and Skinner, 29, practiced with the Sabres on Friday in Boston.
“Both will be available, if that’s the direction we decide,” assistant Matt Ellis, who’s subbing for head coach Don Granato, told the paper.
Jacob Bryson has played 29 games this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning placed defenseman Jacob Bryson in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and recalled defensemen Casey Fitzgerald to the active roster and Ethan Prow to the taxi squad.
The depleted team, which host the New Jersey Devils tonight at KeyBank Center, now has six players and coach Don Granato in protocol.
Defenseman Colin Miller, who left Tuesday’s practice early, isn’t skating this morning, so Prow could be elevated to the roster later.... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald made his NHL debut for Buffalo against Pittsburgh, the team he grew up cheering for. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
For 22 anxious seconds Friday, Kerry Fitzgerald watched her son, Casey, a Buffalo Sabres defenseman, trade punches with Sam Lafferty.
Throughout the day, Kerry acknowledged she was a “nervous wreck” waiting for Casey, 24, to make his NHL debut at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. But after the puck dropped against the Penguins, she said it felt like watching any hockey game.
Then about five minutes into the second period, Casey took umbrage with ... Read the full article
