Hall - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Kevyn Adams says reeling Sabres being evaluated, including Ralph Krueger

In evaluating coach Ralph Krueger, general manager Kevyn Adams wants to do what’s best for the hapless Buffalo Sabres right now while also considering the big picture.

Adams, a rookie GM who inherited his coach, likes Krueger and clearly wants to fire him only as a last resort.

“Everything is being evaluated,” Adams said on a Zoom call Friday afternoon to discuss the Sabres’ sorry state. “Ralph and I talk every day, multiple times a ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kevyn Adams says Jack Eichel hasn’t requested trade

When the Buffalo Sabres hired Kevyn Adams as general manager, he made it a point to develop a relationship with Jack Eichel, his captain and best player.

“Jack is someone that I’ve bounced things off of, he’s talked to me and we have an open dialogue,” Adams said on a Zoom call Friday afternoon.

Given the Sabres’ woes throughout Eichel’s six-year tenure, some believe he could want out of Buffalo. But Adams said Eichel, ... Read the full article

Sabres unravel against Islanders, lose fifth straight: ‘It’s a dangerous spiral’

In the waning minutes of first period in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders, winger Matt Martin grabbed a pass deep in the Buffalo Sabres zone and skated below the goal line, seemingly boxing himself into the left corner.

But Martin decided to shoot from what looked like an impossible angle, and the puck hit goalie Jonas Johansson in the head and bounced in, putting the Islanders up 2-0 16:21 into the game.... Read the full article

Despite slow start, Sabres’ Taylor Hall open to contract extension with Buffalo

When Taylor Hall shocked the hockey world by signing a one-year, $8 million contract with the Sabres, he said he was open to staying in Buffalo on a long-term deal.

Twenty-one games into the season, Hall and the Sabres have struggled mightily.

Hall scored his first goal since opening night in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders. It was his first even-strength goal this season and just his 13th point. The Sabres, having ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo knows he must start scoring: ‘A results-based business’

Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo knows he can’t take much solace in feeling he played a good game. Through 15 outings this year, the veteran has scored zero goals.

“This is a results-based business, and I understand that playing good gets you nowhere in this industry if the results aren’t there,” a frustrated Okposo said on a Zoom call following Tuesday’s 3-2 road loss to the New York Rangers.

Okposo, 32, nearly scored his first ... Read the full article

Sabres have intriguing goalie option; Jonas Johansson receives first start

BUFFALO – If the Sabres want to add an established goalie they can utilize as Linus Ullmark recovers from his lower-body injury, Alex Stalock is available.

The Minnesota Wild waived Stalock, who has been recovering from an upper-body injury all season, on Sunday.

Stalock, 33, has played 151 NHL games, including a career-high 38 last season. The veteran could be an intriguing option for the Sabres.

Ullmark will be sidelined at least one month, coach ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Jack Eichel, Linus Ullmark to injuries, game to Devils

BUFFALO – Sabres forward Riley Sheahan knew captain Jack Eichel was a little banged up heading into Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

Still, Sheahan, a fourth-line winger, never expected he would be thrust into Eichel’s spot as the No. 1 center following the pregame warm-up.

“I … saw the lineup had changed and my name was up there with (Victor Olofsson) and (Sam Reinhart),” Sheahan, who opened the scoring, said on a Zoom ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Buffalo’s early goal buoys win; Taylor Hall honored by Devils

When defenseman Colin Miller converted winger Taylor Hall’s pass early in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win, coach Ralph Krueger said joy swept over the Buffalo Sabres’ bench.

For the first time in more than 259 minutes of play, Buffalo had finally seized the lead.

“Guys were just like, ‘Wow, when was the last time this happened?’” Krueger said on a Zoom call after the Sabres defeated the New Jersey Devils.

It hadn’t happened since Jan. 30, ... Read the full article

Sabres trying to generate offensive confidence: ‘Definitely some fragility’

In watching the Buffalo Sabres lose again and fail to score an even-strength goal, coach Ralph Krueger learned how fragile his team’s psychological state is right now.

Since the Sabres returned from a two-week COVID-19 pause Monday, they’ve showcased an anemic offense, recording zero even-strength goals and just two overall in their three games.

Winger Victor Olofsson has provided the Sabres’ only offense, scoring a power-play goal Monday and again in Thursday’s 3-1 road loss ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen reveals difficult battle with COVID-19

In a harrowing story published in a Finnish newspaper Friday, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen reveals he experienced COVID-19 symptoms so severe he struggled to walk up the stairs in his home.

“When there was chest pain, it felt like my heart was cracking as I walked up the stairs,” Ristolainen told Ilta-Sanomat, according to a Google translation. “A couple of evenings there were such conditions when I went to bed that I didn’t know ... Read the full article