January Edition
BUFFALO – Seven years ago, Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe had no idea he would be named captain of Team USA’s entry at the World Junior Championship.
The team, after all, had some returning players. McCabe, then 19, was participating in his first tournament.
“It was one I was surprised about because I was a first-year player,” McCabe said prior to Friday’s 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. “But I took it with ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Right away, Kyle Okposo knew something was wrong. Having suffered at least three concussions earlier in his Sabres career, the winger understands the symptoms well.
“I just knew right away that the neck wasn’t good,” said Okposo, who suffered his fourth concussion Nov. 16 when he collided with Ottawa Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey leaving the bench.
Right now, Okposo feels good again. The affable veteran smiled and was upbeat Monday morning after skating ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – In the end, instead of recalling a forward or trading for one, the Sabres simply utilized defenseman John Gilmour as a winger for Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, who has five injured forwards, said Monday the Sabres could dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards.
The other option likely would’ve been recalling someone from the Rochester Americans. The AHL club, however, only has two healthy forwards on NHL ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – General manager Jason Botterill said before tonight’s game he’s “actively looking” to find a forward to help the injured-depleted Sabres.
“But we also are very happy with how our players have come up from Rochester and played so far,” said Botterill, whose team played without five forwards against the Minnesota Wild.
The Sabres had lost a forward to injury in five straight games entering Tuesday. The organization is so depleted – three Rochester ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Having lost five forwards in the last five games, a stunning run of injuries, the reeling Sabres have two options for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild.
The Sabres can either dress seven defensemen and only 11 forwards, coach Ralph Krueger said, or they can recall a forward from the Rochester Americans.
They stayed remarkably healthy over the first month of the season, utilizing the same lineup most games. But the injuries have ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – During the first week of training camp, top draft pick Dylan Cozens looked tentative on the ice, according to Sabres coach Ralph Krueger.
“He was watching,” Krueger said this afternoon.
Then Cozens, who was sent back to the Lethbridge Hurricanes today, “really grew up” in the second week, Krueger said.
In addition to his skills, Cozens showcased poise few 18-year-olds possess. In Friday’s 3-0 preseason loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Following a strong showing in his first NHL training camp, the Sabres sent top draft pick Dylan Cozens back to the Lethbridge Hurricanes this morning.
Cozens, 18, impressed coach Ralph Krueger enough to earn three preseason appearances and last two weeks in camp, longer any junior-age player.
Based on Krueger’s words and the short minutes he played Saturday, it appeared the Yukon native would be returning to the Western Hockey League soon.
After ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – When Sabres forward Evan Rodrigues began examining some information before his arbitration hearing in late July, he learned something interesting.
“Last year, I started in every single position but first-line left wing,” Rodrigues said Monday inside KeyBank Center. “So that kind of shows that I can play in every position. That just speaks to the belief that I have in myself and the belief that I’m a very valuable NHL player.”
Rodrigues’ versatility ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – If Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens returns to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the coming days, he can show his junior teammates a souvenir from the NHL.
“He took a little bit of a stick today in the lips, so he’s got a first badge of honor here coming up,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said this afternoon. “But he took it well, bounced right back into practice and got a little stitched up after practice.”... Read the full article
BUFFALO – The Sabres made their first significant roster cuts of training camp this morning, reassigning 15 players, most notably center Arttu Ruotsalainen and winger C.J. Smith.
The Sabres sent Ruotsalainen, 21, back to Ilves, a Finnish team in Liiga. Meanwhile, Smith, 24, must clear waivers before he can go to the Rochester Americans.
The Sabres also sent the following players to the Amerks, their AHL affiliate: forwards Eric Cornel, Sean Malone, Andrew Oglevie, ... Read the full article
