Hunwick - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Jason Pominville odd man out again

BUFFALO – Jason Pominville understands why he is sitting out. Having played 1,052 NHL games, the Sabres know what the veteran winger offers them.

Nine contests remain in a miserable season. The Sabres, who have fallen from first overall to sixth in the Atlantic Division, want to evaluate other players.

So the Sabres scratched Pominville, 36, for the second straight game Wednesday.

“It’s just the situation we’re at,” Pominville said prior to the 4-2 loss ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan O’Reilly returns to Buffalo thriving with Blues

BUFFALO – St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly hasn’t experienced a season like this in five years, since he played for the Colorado Avalanche.

For the first time since 2013-14, O’Reilly, 28, has a legitimate chance to reach the playoffs.

Simply contending for a spot has helped rejuvenate O’Reilly, who was beaten down by the losing he endured in Buffalo so much he acknowledged following last season it sapped some of his love for hockey.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jason Pominville to be healthy scratch against Blues

BUFFALO – The Sabres cleared one huge hurdle in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes by, uh, scoring a goal for the first time in more than three games.

“It certainly was a relief,” coach Phil Housley said of the Sabres ending their drought at 199:58. “I really like the way we started, and just taking a look at the game after the fact, I really liked the way we played. We had a ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Taylor Fedun finds home with Stars

BUFFALO – For years and years, the cycle repeated itself. Taylor Fedun would earn a recall to the NHL as an injury replacement and eventually return to the AHL.

“Normally every opportunity I’ve had at this level, once guys get healthy, it’s just kind of the way it’s gone,” said Fedun, a Dallas Stars defenseman who played two full seasons in the Sabres organization. “I’m the guy that got sent back down.”

Despite compiling some ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Nelson to be scratched against Stars

BUFFALO – After playing three straight games, Sabres defenseman Casey Nelson will sit out tonight’s contest against the Dallas Stars as a healthy scratch.

Why? Well, Sabres coach Phil Housley said Nelson will be scratched mainly because his play “has dipped the last couple games.”

“We’ve got some other guys there available and we haven’t had a lot of success, so we’ve made some changes,” Housley said this morning inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Casey Nelson returns after three-month absence

BUFFALO – Three months ago Monday, Casey Nelson suffered an upper-body injury in the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The defenseman spent about seven weeks recovering and rehabbing before waiting another six weeks for an opportunity to play NHL games.

Nelson, who dressed for 22 of the Sabres’ first 29 contests, began practicing again in late January and completed a five-game AHL conditioning assignment with the Rochester Americans on Feb. 17.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jake McCabe likely out for season

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe will likely miss the rest of the season after suffering an upper-body injury in the second period of Saturday’s 5-2 road loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Sabres announced this morning McCabe, 25, will miss five to six weeks. The regular season ends April 6.

“He’s a warrior,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “He always puts his body in harm’s way, brings a ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson understands development takes time

TORONTO – Tage Thompson said he views his development as a marathon, not a sprint. Having played only 97 NHL games, the Buffalo Sabres winger understands he’s raw.

“Everyone’s got their own path,” Thompson said prior to Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs. “It’s going to take a little bit of time. You never want to rush into things.”

So Thompson, 21, has embraced the Sabres’ plan for him. While they’ve kept him in ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark to start against Maple Leafs

TORONTO – Thanks to the Sabres’ late-game comeback and winger Conor Sheary’s exploits in Friday’s thrilling 4-3 overtime victory, goalie Linus Ullmark’s 41-save effort almost got overshadowed.

Ullmark, 25, was terrific all night, especially early as the Pittsburgh Penguins pumped 33 shots on him in the opening 40 minutes.

Fresh off that outing, it seemed like Ullmark might earn a well-deserved night off against the Maple Leafs.

But Sabres coach Phil Housley will start Ullmark ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Scott Wilson earning regular duty after stay with Amerks

BUFFALO – When the Sabres waived winger Scott Wilson and assigned him to the AHL in early January, it wasn’t a normal demotion to the minors.

Having won two Stanley Cups over nearly three years in the NHL, Wilson was already an established talent.

A season ago, Wilson earned regular duty with the Sabres, playing 49 games following his arrival from the Detroit Red Wings.

But Wilson, who faced his old team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, ... Read the full article