Jack Eichel missed 15 games. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jack Eichel set to return from ankle injury

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel, out the last 15 games with a high-right ankle sprain, will return for this afternoon’s tilt against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“Talking to our doctors and trainers, his practice, the way he progressed all week, we checked all the boxes off,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “He’s ready to play, he wants to play, he wants to get back in the lineup. We feel ... Read the full article

Chad Johnson is replaced by Robin Lehner after giving up four goals Wednesday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres fall behind early, lose to Flames

BUFFALO – Eight hours before the Calgary Flames throttled his team 5-1, coach Phil Housley talked about the Sabres’ need to match their opponent’s desperation.

The Flames came into town reeling, losers of four straight games and seven of the last nine. Without injured No. 1 goalie Mike Smith, they’ve fallen out of a playoff spot.

“They’re three points out of a playoff spot, they’re talking about this as their season, these next two games ... Read the full article

Brendan Guhle (45) battles Toronto’s Matt Martin in front of goalie Chad Johnson on Monday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Brendan Guhle, Casey Nelson reunited as defense pair

BUFFALO – For a chunk of the season, Sabres defensemen Brendan Guhle and Casey Nelson formed a strong AHL tandem, showcasing their speed and slick puck-moving skills together.

Then the Sabres recalled Guhle, 20, in early January for two games. A week later, they summoned Nelson, 25, and he quickly earned a regular spot.

So the two hadn’t played together for about two months until Sabres coach Phil Housley reunited them for Monday’s 5-3 win ... Read the full article

Brendan Guhle was also recalled in January. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres want Brendan Guhle to utilize speed during recall

BUFFALO – For a chunk of the season, Sabres defensemen Brendan Guhle and Casey Nelson formed a strong AHL tandem, showcasing their speed and slick puck-moving skills together.

Then the Sabres recalled Guhle, 20, in early January for two games. A week later, the Sabres summoned Nelson, 25, and he quickly earned a regular spot.

So the two haven’t played together for about two months. Tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Guhle, who was brought ... Read the full article

Danny O’Regan played at Boston University. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres acquire former college star Danny O’Regan

BUFFALO – As a junior at Boston University in 2014-15, forward Danny O’Regan enjoyed a monster season, scoring 23 goals and 50 points in 41 games as the Terriers came within a whisker of a national title.

You might’ve heard of his linemates that year: Jack Eichel and Evan Rodrigues, two current Sabres. With O’Regan at left wing, they formed perhaps the NCAA’s most lethal trio.... Read the full article

Evander Kane has scored 20 goals this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres trade Evander Kane to Sharks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon traded winger Evander Kane to the San Jose Sharks, according to multiple reports.

The Sharks sent the Sabres a conditional first-round pick, a conditional fourth-rounder and center prospect Danny O’Regan, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Stay tuned for more details. Sabres general manager Jason Botterill swung the deal about 45 minutes before the 3 p.m. trade deadline. O’Regan, 24, is a Boston University product with 22 games of ... Read the full article

Casey Nelson has improved his defense this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Casey Nelson earning regular duty on blue line

BUFFALO – Earlier this season, if you had asked Casey Nelson if he could play 20 minutes a night in the NHL, often against the opposition’s top line, the Sabres defenseman would’ve given you a straightforward answer.

“I’d say there’s no chance, there’s no way,” Nelson said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center.

But in tonight’s tilt in Detroit, Nelson, 25, will likely play big minutes on the second defense pair, meaning he’ll face some of the ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo (21) skates away from Calgary’s Troy Brouwer last season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo piling up points

BUFFALO – Late in Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss, Sabres defenseman Casey Nelson stymied a rush and quickly dished the puck up to winger Kyle Okposo.

Okposo then zoomed through the neutral zone and into the high slot when he noticed center Evan Rodrigues streaking down the right wing.

“I saw that their D was kind of shading over toward (Evander Kane), so I just tried to take the middle,” Okposo explained Friday. “I was ... Read the full article

Ryan O’Reilly stepped up in Jack Eichel’s absence. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres struggle in first game without Jack Eichel, lose to Avalanche

BUFFALO – The Sabres can soften Jack Eichel’s loss, of course, if some of their other top players – think Ryan O’Reilly and Rasmus Ristolainen – step up and seize additional opportunities in his absence.

If they don’t, what could happen without Eichel, their most dynamic presence and leading scorer? They won only 16 of their first 55 games with Eichel, who’s sidelined indefinitely after suffering a high right ankle sprain Saturday.... Read the full article

Evan Rodrigues moved up to the top line Thursday. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Evan Rodrigues back beside college linemate Jack Eichel

BUFFALO – Three years ago, Jack Eichel and Evan Rodrigues formed perhaps college hockey’s best duo, piling up points during Boston University’s run to the national championship game.

Eichel won the Hobey Baker Award as a freshman. Meanwhile, Rodrigues enjoyed a monster senior season, compiling 61 points in 41 games.

“We kind of knew where each other were all over the ice,” Rodrigues said Thursday prior to scoring his first goal in 22 games. “We ... Read the full article