January Edition
Rasmus Dahlin has become perhaps Buffalo’s most consistent presence. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – This is all new, you know. In the past, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin wasn’t awarded more than 25 minutes of ice time and given the difficult task of shutting down the opposition’s best talent.
At times, Dahlin, 21, has struggled in his new role as the No. 1 defenseman. The Swede often puts too much pressure on himself, and when things turn sour, he can respond by pressing and trying to impose his ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin leads Buffalo in ice time this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – At the end of Thursday’s mistake-riddled first period, with the Sabres trailing the San Jose Sharks 3-0, coach Don Granato told his players to watch the way defenseman Rasmus Dahlin plays.
“Absolutely amazing,” Granato said of Dahlin following the Sabres’ 3-2 loss inside KeyBank Center. “Something that goes wrong, he elevates.”
The rest of the team did not elevate after a slew of early mistakes, and the Sabres found themselves in a huge ... Read the full article
Ethan Prow has spent most of his career in the AHL. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Make that four. In addition to forwards Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch, it appears another player, defenseman Ethan Prow, will be making his Sabres debut tonight.
Like Peterka, Prow, 29, has never played in the NHL. Ironically, Peterka and Prow were teammates last season with Red Bull Munich, a Deutsche Eishockey Liga team.
The Sabres this morning recalled Prow to the taxi squad and Casey Fitzgerald to the active roster because ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt was injured Tuesday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt underwent successful surgery today to repair his upper-body injury, coach Don Granato said.
Granato said the Sabres don’t have a timeline for Mittelstadt’s return. He expects the Mittelstadt, who visited a specialist Thursday, will play again this season.
Mittelstadt, 23, suffered his second upper-body injury this season about six minutes into the third period of Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. After getting injured opening night, he missed ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was recalled Monday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – As expected, the struggling Sabres will change goalies tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, awarding prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen his first start this season.
Having played four games late last year, Luukkonen developed a feel of the NHL. The Finn performed well, winning his debut and posting a .906 save percentage.
“The hope is when you put him in there’s an element of relaxed to him, a comfort,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following this ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has missed the last 21 games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski left this morning’s practice early and was being evaluated after taking a shot in the facial area, coach Don Granato said.
The Sabres, who leave this afternoon for a two-game road trip, have one other healthy goalie on the roster, Aaron Dell.
Meanwhile, Granato said center Casey Mittelstadt, who suffered an upper-body injury Oct. 14, is on track to play Thursday against the Florida Panthers. Mittelstadt practiced between Zemgus ... Read the full article
Alex Tuch joined Buffalo on Nov. 4. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that, yes, he has thought about what his lineup might look like when some of his injured players get healthy.
So Granato knows where he could put center Casey Mittelstadt and winger Alex Tuch, both of whom skated with the Sabres this morning, when they’re healthy. It was the first session with the Sabres for Tuch, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery.
Mittelstadt, who had his first contact ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has scored four goals this week. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Tage Thompson got up angry and looking for revenge after absorbing a big hit from Alexander Romanov at center ice. But instead of going after the Montreal Canadiens defenseman, the Sabres center simply skated into the offensive zone.
A few seconds later, Thompson banged his stick on the ice, calling for puck from linemate Jeff Skinner. After grabbing the pass high in the slot, Thompson beat goalie Samuel Montembeault 3:29 into the third ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson was hurt Nov. 2. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After Craig Anderson suffered an upper-body injury Nov. 2, the Sabres said he was day to day. But the veteran goalie, whose absence has become glaring as the rebuilding team keeps struggling, is still sidelined.
“Because of our initial report, based on where we’re at, it is a concern,” Sabres coach Don Granato said on a Zoom call this morning. “Obviously, we didn’t feel he would be out this long and it has ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt hasn’t played since opening night. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After a 17-game absence, center Casey Mittelstadt joined his teammates this morning, donning a gold non-contact jersey and skating with the Sabres as they prepared for tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins.
Now, when will Mittelstadt, who suffered an upper-body injury opening night, be able to play again? He won’t return tonight.
The Sabres also play Friday, Saturday and Monday. Practice time is limited. They’re scheduled to have Thursday off.
“We haven’t really ... Read the full article
