Brendan Guhle has impressed again this preseason. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Prospect Brendan Guhle could make Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Brendan Guhle tries not to think about it. The defenseman doesn’t ask any questions, either.

He’s happy as long as he’s in Buffalo.

“It’s definitely a little nerve-racking, I’d say,” Guhle said Thursday inside KeyBank Center.

Six days before opening night, Guhle, 19, is still battling to make the Sabres out of training camp as a junior-age player, a rarity.

Thanks to injuries to defensemen Zach Bogosian (groin) and Dmitry Kulikov ... Read the full article

Ryan O’Reilly played just part of one preseason game. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly day-to-day

BUFFALO – Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly is day-to-day after leaving Wednesday’s 3-2 preseason loss early as a precaution because of a spasm in his back and midsection, coach Dan Bylsma said.

O’Reilly, who was playing his first preseason game following the World Cup of Hockey, didn’t practice this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. He’s out of Friday’s exhibition finale in Ottawa, Bylsma said.

The Sabres, of course, are dealing with a slew of injuries exactly one ... Read the full article

Alexander Nylander has looked good so far in training camp. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Top Sabres pick Alexander Nylander to debut in preseason opener

BUFFALO – Some quick updates this morning from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres prepared for tonight’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Wild before flying to Penn State University:

– The Sabres will use a mix of veterans, youngsters and AHL players for the tilt at Pegula Ice Arena.

Eighth overall pick Alexander Nylander, whose early training camp play has impressed coach Dan Bylsma, will debut on the left wing beside center Cal O’Reilly and ... Read the full article

Hudson Fasching had a hectic spring with hockey and school. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Hudson Fasching confident after busy offseason

BUFFALO – Rookie Hudson Fasching applied a hockey philosophy to his schoolwork when he returned to the University of Minnesota in April following a seven-game stint with the Sabres.

Fresh off his first NHL action, Fasching, 21, had two and a half weeks to complete the semester and his entrepreneurial management degree before leaving school to represent Team USA at the World Hockey Championship in St. Petersburg, Russia.

“I was like, ‘OK, I’m just going ... Read the full article

Justin Bailey enjoyed a terrific rookie season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospects will fight for jobs in rookie camp

BUFFALO – Sure, it’s just rookie camp, four days reserved for Sabres prospects before training camp. By the end of the month, most of the youngsters participating will be back in junior or the minors.

But with young talent relied on so heavily these days, the battle for NHL jobs really begins today, when camp opens inside HarborCenter.

Five prospects – forwards Justin Bailey, Hudson Fasching and Evan Rodrigues and goalies Jason Kasdorf and ... Read the full article

Cody Franson suffered a season-ending injury Feb. 19. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres need more defense depth

How remarkably healthy did the Buffalo blue line stay in 2015-16? The Sabres recalled a defenseman as an injury replacement just once.

Think about that. Over the course of the grueling six-month, 82-game season, the Sabres only dipped into the AHL on March 18, when they summoned Chad Ruhwedel to sub for Carlo Colaiacovo prior to their 72nd contest. Ruhwedel played that night and was quickly returned to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres almost ... Read the full article

Alexander Nylander hasn’t worn a Sabres jersey on the ice yet. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Alexander Nylander one of many Sabres prospects to watch

BUFFALO – Watching a top prospect skate in a Sabres jersey for the first time, even in a development camp setting, is a special experience for fans always eager to welcome new talent.

For the next six days, starting with today’s session inside HarborCenter, the Sabres’ rabid fan base will receive its first glimpses of Swedish winger Alexander Nylander, the eighth overall pick June 24 at the First Niagara Center, sporting blue and gold ... Read the full article

Brendan Guhle impressed the Sabres during training camp. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Brendan Guhle comfortable in pro hockey

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Brendan Guhle noticed the familiar faces throughout his late-season AHL recall to the Americans.

One game, Guhle played against tough guy Zack Stortini, who used to scrap for the defenseman’s hometown Edmonton Oilers. Another contest, Guhle faced veteran goalie Yann Danis.

“I remember I had a hockey card of Yann Danis when I was a kid,” Guhle said Friday inside the Blue Cross War Memorial following his fourth pro appearance. ... Read the full article

Ryan O’Reilly was hurt Saturday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly questionable for Devils

Buffalo Sabres centers Jack Eichel and Ryan O’Reilly are both questionable for tonight’s road game against the New Jersey Devils, coach Dan Bylsma told reporters in Newark.

Bylsma said Eichel enjoyed a maintenance from practice Monday. O’Reilly, meanwhile, rested something he hurt in Saturday’s 4-3 win against the New York Rangers.

Bylsma said he expects one to play “for sure.” That’s likely Eichel.

The Sabres could recall a forward, Bylsma said.

Update: The Sabres recalled ... Read the full article

Ryan O’Reilly scores his first goal Monday afternoon. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly responds to move to left wing

BUFFALO – Three games into the season, Ryan O’Reilly, the shiny acquisition the Sabres recently awarded a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension and touted as their No. 1 center, has already been shifted to the left wing.

In an attempt to ignite his struggling top line Monday afternoon, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma moved Zemgus Girgensons to center between O’Reilly and Tyler Ennis for the Sabres’ 4-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets inside the ... Read the full article