Jokiharju - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Don Granato believes scratches can help Peyton Krebs

BUFFALO – The Sabres inserted center Peyton Krebs for Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, just his second appearance in the last six games.

To make room for Krebs, a healthy scratch the previous three contests, the Sabres sat out winger Vinnie Hinostroza.

That Krebs, 21, had been bumped out of the lineup wasn’t surprising. He sat out two games in late October when the Sabres briefly began rotating forwards. He had mustered zero ... Read the full article

Despite losing streak, Sabres sticking with plan, confident youth will grow

BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams constructed a roster filled with rookies and other neophytes in their early 20s knowing the Sabres would experience ups and downs. Still, the general manager never expected this: an eight-game losing streak following a torrid start.

Three weeks ago, it felt like the Sabres, the NHL’s youngest team, had established themselves as a legitimate playoff contender in the crowded Eastern Conference.

They throttled the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Nov. 2, improving ... Read the full article

Sabres injuries: Mattias Samuelsson close to return; Eric Comrie out ‘weeks’

BUFFALO – Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said there’s an outside chance defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who has missed the last 12 games recovering from a lower-body injury, could return for Saturday’s road game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Samuelsson, 22, practiced today beside Henri Jokiharju at KeyBank Center, his first full session since getting injured Oct. 22. He started skating with his teammates again Tuesday.

The Sabres said on Tuesday they expected Samuelsson to play ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson skates with Sabres, nearing return from injury

BUFFALO – On some teams, injured players are rarely seen. They do their work before many of their teammates arrive at the rink and quietly leave.

Then there’s Mattias Samuelsson. For more than three weeks, as the Sabres defenseman has rehabbed from a lower-body injury he suffered Oct. 22, he remained a visible presence in the dressing room and during practice.

“You saw him every day sitting on the bench in practice and around ... Read the full article

Jack Quinn out with injury; Sabres to recall one or two forwards

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jack Quinn, who was struck in the head by the puck Saturday, is being evaluated for an undisclosed injury and likely won’t play this week, according to the team.

The rookie was hit about 12 minutes into the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins but finished the game. The Sabres, of course, were already missing another winger, captain Kyle Okposo, who’s day to day with a lower-body injury.

They ... Read the full article

Henri Jokiharju practices with Sabres; Vinnie Hinostroza expected to return

BUFFALO – Shortly before Wednesday’s practice, Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju was on the KeyBank Center ice skating in a gold jersey and tinted visor. When the session began, he stayed out, participating in a non-contact role.

Jokiharju’s first practice since suffering an upper-body injury Oct. 20 is simply a first step, Sabres coach Don Granato said. Right now, there’s no timetable for his return.

The Finn, 23, hasn’t played since a puck hit him in ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kale Clague earning keep on blue line; Rasmus Dahlin returns

BUFFALO – In his previous stops, Sabres defenseman Kale Clague couldn’t always play aggressively. That often neutralized his skating, his greatest strength.

The Sabres, however, want to attack and push the pace. If players make mistakes, coach Don Granato and his staff can live with them.

“The system (here) allows me to be aggressive, whereas maybe some teams prior I’ve been a little bit more on my heels a little bit, based on that,” Clague ... Read the full article

With Rasmus Dahlin, other Sabres hurt, Owen Power displaying star qualities

BUFFALO – Sooner than later, Sabres rookie Owen Power was expected to play mega minutes and emerge as a workhorse on the blue line.

But just 20 games into his NHL career? Well, Power skated a personal-high 28 minutes, 14 seconds in Saturday’s 5-3 road loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Through 12 outings this season entering tonight’s contest against the Arizona Coyotes at KeyBank Center, he has averaged 23 minutes, 9 seconds of ice ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ilya Lyubushkin nearing return from lower-body injury

BUFFALO – Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, out the last three games with a lower-body injury, practiced Thursday and is day to day, according to the Sabres.

“Feel good,” Lyubushkin said following the session at KeyBank Center. “Getting better and better every day.”

Could Lyubushkin, 28, return for tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes or Saturday versus the Tampa Bay Lightning?... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Buffalo adds defenseman; Jacob Bryson seizing leading role

BUFFALO – Just nine games in, the Sabres have already dipped deep into their defense reserves. Hours before Monday’s 8-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings, they recalled Jeremy Davies from the Rochester Americans.

Davies, 25, is the ninth defenseman who has been on the roster this season.

“We’re banged up on the back end and that’s the need, pressing need right now,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Monday prior to Davies’ recall.

They summoned ... Read the full article