Franson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly itching to return; Robin Lehner to start Thursday

BUFFALO – As Ryan O’Reilly nears the three-week mark of his injury, the Sabres are starting to see more of their No. 1 center around the rink.

O’Reilly, who hurt his right foot Feb. 19 in Columbus, has started attending meetings and watching practice from the bench, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said.

“He’s even chirping the coaches a little bit in practice,” Bylsma said this afternoon. “He’s trying to get as close as he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart developing into playmaker

BUFFALO – Early on, Sam Reinhart’s slick playmaking abilities took a backseat as the Sabres rookie developed into a strong net-front presence.

By late February, Reinhart, who regularly parks himself at the crease, owned an odd and lopsided stat line: 18 goals and nine assists.

Now, Reinhart, 20, has started showcasing his dynamic passing skills – anticipation and vision that compliment his soft hands – and upped his assists total by running off five ... Read the full article

Cal O’Reilly producing for Sabres

BUFFALO – Don’t think of Cal O’Reilly as a late-season recall the Sabres simply added to fill out the roster for a few weeks.

If O’Reilly keeps producing like he has recently – one goal and three points in four games – the versatile forward could perhaps earn a regular role as a third- or fourth-liner next season.

“I always view the roster as about 32 people,” coach Dan Bylsma said today after the Sabres ... Read the full article

Former Sabres star Thomas Vanek excited about World Cup

BUFFALO – The upcoming World Cup of Hockey will be a much different international experience for veteran Thomas Vanek, a two-time 40-goal scorer with the Sabres.

Instead of hoping Austria can simply win a game to stay in the ‘A’ pool, the Minnesota Wild winger has a roster spot on Team Europe, a collection of top talent from seven countries.

“For me, it’s cool because actually I can go into one of those tournaments ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons, Flames’ Johnny Gaudreau grew close in junior

BUFFALO – Almost six years ago, Calgary Flames star Johnny Gaudreau met a shy European teenager who barely a year earlier had left his native Latvia to embark on a hockey career in the United States.

At first, as Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons acclimated to life in the junior United States Hockey League, he was quiet around his Dubuque Fighting Saints teammates.

Within a month, Gaudreau said, his new friend had “changed completely.”

“He’s talking ... Read the full article

Dan Bylsma envisions Sabres rookie Sam Reinhart as center in future

BUFFALO – After a brief run back at center filling in for the injured Ryan O’Reilly, Sabres rookie Sam Reinhart will skate again on the right wing beside center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane tonight against the Calgary Flames.

Someday, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said, he envisions Reinhart returning to center, his natural position. But Reinhart, whose 18 scores top the goal-deprived team, is most effective on the side right now, Bylsma believes.

“Just really ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid won’t buy into hype

BUFFALO – Dan Bylsma, as he loves to do, kept accompanying his words with a sly grin. The so-called rivalry between phenoms Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid is a “made-up” scenario, the Sabres coach said Tuesday.

The Sabres’ 2-1 overtime loss to McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers was the first-ever NHL meeting between the “generational talents” drafted first and second overall last year. The rookies barely know each other.

How could they truly be rivals?

“The hype ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cal O’Reilly on brother Ryan’s injury: ‘He was mad’

BUFFALO – If the Sabres recalled the hottest player from Rochester, goalie Linus Ullmark, not forward Cal O’Reilly, would be up right now, coach Dan Bylsma joked.

Ullmark, who played 19 NHL games earlier this season, dazzled over the weekend, stopping 94 of 97 shots in two wins, including 51 in Saturday’s 6-2 win in Syracuse.

“But we need a forward, not a goalie,” Bylsma said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.... Read the full article

Justin Bailey confident in return to Sabres

BUFFALO – At a few points in the first period of the Sabres’ 4-3 loss Sunday afternoon, rookie winger Justin Bailey’s first NHL goal felt imminent.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Bailey, thanks his size and speed, kept generating scoring chances around Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in his fifth NHL game.

While the Williamsville native didn’t score in 11 minutes, 55 seconds of action, he finished the contest confident he’ll net that elusive first goal ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel, rest of Sabres have become close-knit group

BUFFALO – Within minutes Friday, screen grabs of Robin Lehner’s fierce eyes – wide and hellbent on sending a message – started spreading all over the Internet after the goalie’s emphatic response to an ugly hit on Sabres teammate Zach Bogosian.

“That should be one of those big heads and make it for the fans to wear,” coach Dan Bylsma joked Saturday after the Sabres prepared for this afternoon’s tilt against superstar Sidney Crosby and ... Read the full article