John Gilmour has played four games this season. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres notes: John Gilmour moves up to forward as injury replacement

BUFFALO – In the end, instead of recalling a forward or trading for one, the Sabres simply utilized defenseman John Gilmour as a winger for Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, who has five injured forwards, said Monday the Sabres could dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards.

The other option likely would’ve been recalling someone from the Rochester Americans. The AHL club, however, only has two healthy forwards on NHL ... Read the full article

John Gilmour has played only three games this season. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres to use John Gilmour up front, scratch Marco Scandella

BUFFALO – In the end, instead of recalling a forward or trading for one, the Sabres will simply utilize defenseman John Gilmour as a winger.

So for the first time since he was 15 or 16, Gilmour will skate up front tonight against the Minnesota Wild. He could also move back to the blue line, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

Krueger, who has five injured forwards, said Monday the Sabres could dress seven defensemen and ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo suffered a concussion Saturday. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu

Reeling, injury-plagued Sabres need to replenish lineup

BUFFALO – Having lost five forwards in the last five games, a stunning run of injuries, the reeling Sabres have two options for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild.

The Sabres can either dress seven defensemen and only 11 forwards, coach Ralph Krueger said, or they can recall a forward from the Rochester Americans.

They stayed remarkably healthy over the first month of the season, utilizing the same lineup most games. But the injuries have ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson has enjoyed a hot start in Rochester. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres recall Tage Thompson from Amerks

Prospect Tage Thompson is back with the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres recalled Thompson, a winger who spent most of last season in the NHL, from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Having lost winger Kyle Okposo to an undisclosed injury in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, the Sabres needed to summon another forward.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel celebrates Saturday. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu

Jack Eichel’s dynamic four-goal game ends Sabres’ losing streak

BUFFALO – Jack Eichel, of course, had scored four goals in a game before his dynamic, career-best performance in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres captain just can’t remember the last time he did it.

“I don’t honestly know,” Eichel said after the Sabres ended their six game-losing streak.

Eichel, 23, said he never scored four goals with Boston University or the U.S. National Team Development Program, his stops before the NHL.... Read the full article

Rasmus Asplund joined Rochester last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

NHL debut will be emotional for Sabres rookie Rasmus Asplund

BUFFALO – Rasmus Asplund knows it will be difficult to keep his emotions in check today. Not only is the Sabres center set to make his NHL debut, it’s also Hockey Fights Cancer Night at KeyBank Center.

“Cancer is something that’s close to my heart,” Asplund said this morning after the Sabres prepared for the Ottawa Senators.

Both of Asplund’s grandparents on his father’s side passed away from cancer.

“It’s going to be hard,” said ... Read the full article

Jimmy Vesey has scored zero goals this season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Jimmy Vesey happy with ‘reliable’ game despite lack of offense

BUFFALO – Throughout his first 15 outings this season, winger Jimmy Vesey has embraced whatever role the Sabres have cast him in.

Vesey, 26, has spent the bulk of his ice time skating beside center Casey Mittelstadt and killing penalties. That regular spot on a scoring line hasn’t materialized.

“Jimmy coming in here didn’t have a lot of expectations about his role, which is really positive,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

But Vesey probably expected ... Read the full article

Rasmus Asplund spent all of last season in Rochester. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres summon Rasmus Asplund; Johan Larsson ‘possibility’ for Saturday

BUFFALO – When the Sabres sent center Rasmus Asplund to the Rochester Americans following an impressive training camp, it felt like he would return to the NHL soon.

Asplund, 21, turned heads during the preseason, earning a long look from the Sabres. The Swedish prospect figured to be in line for his first recall.

Sure enough, with center Johan Larsson nursing an upper-body injury, the Sabres summoned Asplund this morning.

Larsson is day-to-day, according to ... Read the full article

Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov (left) and Rasmus Ristolainen jaw Thursday. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres roar back against Hurricanes, lose game and cool

BUFFALO – Maybe Thursday’s 5-4 overtime loss, a rollicking game in which the Sabres roared back multiple times, can help them recapture some of their early-season form.

The Sabres looked dead at several points, including with 3:54 left, when winger Andrei Svechnikov’s power-play goal restored the Carolina Hurricanes’ lead after they had blown a 3-1 advantage.

Instead of wilting, the Sabres scored with 40.1 seconds left, getting the tying goal from center Johan Larsson.

While ... Read the full article

Colin Miller has played 17 games this season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: Marco Scandella’s return makes Colin Miller healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Colin Miller’s stint in the press box likely won’t last long. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Sabres defenseman returns to the lineup Saturday.

But Marco Scandella’s return from a lower-body injury Thursday forced Sabres coach Ralph Krueger to make a tough decision and sit out a regular defenseman.

Miller was the odd man out against for the 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Right now, the Sabres have eight healthy defensemen. ... Read the full article