Girgensons - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall Williamsville’s Justin Bailey

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled rookie winger Justin Bailey, a Williamsville native who grew up rooting for the team, from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Bailey, 20, could make his NHL debut in Thursday’s road game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said earlier today winger Zemgus Girgensons and center Johan Larsson, who both missed Tuesday’s 7-4 loss to Florida, were questionable for the Flyers. Neither player practiced today.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel has maintenance day

BUFFALO – Relax, everyone. Sabres rookie Jack Eichel only had a maintenance day from practice today, coach Dan Bylsma said. The 19-year-old will play Thursday in Philadelphia.

Bylsma said part of Eichel’s absence today inside HarborCenter was related to a shot block late in Tuesday’s 7-4 loss to Florida. Eichel also has a “couple bumps and bruises.”

In other injury news, center Johan Larsson and winger Zemgus Girgensons, who both sat out Tuesday, also missed ... Read the full article

Sabres fall apart early in loss to Panthers

BUFFALO – Following a dreadful first period Tuesday in which the Sabres imploded and fell behind 3-0 to the upstart Florida Panthers, some frustrated fans booed for one of the few times this season.

Not long ago, games like the Sabres’ wretched 7-4 loss inside the First Niagara Center – a contest hardly as close as the score might indicate – were gladly accepted by a fan base that valued a high draft pick over ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Johan Larsson questionable for Panthers, recall possible

BUFFALO – Sabres center Johan Larsson “had a little bit of an issue in the morning skate” and is a game-time decision for tonight’s contest against the Florida Panthers, coach Dan Bylsma said.

What if Larsson, who has been recently been pivoting the third line well, can’t play? Well, the Sabres might recall a forward from the AHL, Bylsma said. They could also use seven defensemen, something Bylsma doesn’t like but has done about 30 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dan Catenacci paid dues to earn first NHL recall

BUFFALO – In his first three AHL seasons, Sabres winger Dan Catenacci has developed what he believes is a strong relationship with his coaches. So the youngster was shocked when Randy Cunneyworth summoned him to his office Friday and the entire Rochester Americans’ staff began berating him.

What was the beef? Something Catenacci called a “nothing play” in the previous game.

“They started yelling at me,” he said Monday following practice inside the First Niagara ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno feeling better; Zemgus Girgensons questionable for Panthers

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Marcus Foligno, who said a deep-tissue bruise kept him out of Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss in Boston, practiced today and could play Tuesday against Florida.

“We’ll see how tomorrow is,” Foligno said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “Right now, it’s just a pain tolerance. That’s all I can really say. Nothing really major, but it was just a (lower-body) tweak.”

Foligno, who said he had a jammed into him ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno likely out against Bruins; Update: Dan Catenacci recalled

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Marcus Foligno suffered a lower-body injury during his last shift in Thursday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins and will likely miss Saturday’s rematch in Boston, coach Dan Bylsma said.

Foligno’s day-to-day, Bylsma said this afternoon following the Sabres’ optional practice inside HarborCenter.

“I don’t anticipate it will be week-to-week,” he said.

The Sabres will recall a forward from the Rochester Americans, Bylsma said. He wouldn’t reveal which one.

Update: The ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons finding offensive game beside Jack Eichel

BUFFALO – Barely a minute into the third period last Tuesday, Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons roared down the left side into the Ottawa zone before stopping and lifting a saucer pass to center Jack Eichel, who was zooming to the net down the middle.

The rookie connected, got stymied by Senators goalie Craig Anderson but managed to tuck the loose puck in for the winner in the Sabres’ 3-2 comeback victory.

The slick score, ... Read the full article

Healthy Sabres defense corps presents problem

BUFFALO – In reality, it’s a good problem. With Josh Gorges ready to play, the Sabres have eight healthy defensemen. Given the rough-and-tumble nature of the position, bodies are always at a premium, especially at this time of year.

Still, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma doesn’t like it much. He’s already had to mothball defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, who has played one game since Dec. 7. Now someone else must sit.

What will the Sabres do? Could ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons ready to play

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons, out the last four games with an upper-body injury, practiced this morning inside HarborCenter beside center Jack Eichel and Matt Moulson and should play in Monday’s road game against the New York Rangers.

“Pretty back to normal,” said Girgensons, who hit Boston’s Kevan Miller early Jan. 15.

Girgensons, 22, has struggled offensively this season, compiling only three goals and eight points in 40 games. Still, the Latvian, who ... Read the full article