Okposo - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Zach Bogosian feels good in return after healthy scratches

BUFFALO – For Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, sitting out four straight games, the first healthy scratches of his 12-year NHL career, wasn’t easy.

“Anytime you don’t get a chance to be in there to be a part of the team and do what you want to do and do what you love, I mean, it’s tough,” Bogosian said after skating just over 18 minutes in his return in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win over the ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel extends point streak, ignites Sabres late against Maple Leafs

TORONTO – It took more than 40 minutes, but captain Jack Eichel ignited the Buffalo Sabres again Tuesday, helping them roar back late in their 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

After falling behind 3-0, Eichel assisted on defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s power-play goal 1:29 into the third period, extending his point streak to 17 games.

Then after the Leafs restored their three-goal lead, Eichel scored at 6:30, his 24th goal in only 35 games this ... Read the full article

Sabres believe Casey Mittelstadt has right attitude to thrive with Amerks

TORONTO – On Sunday, a day off for the Buffalo Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted to the Rochester Americans.

After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the minors – “It’s always an emotional conversation,” Botterill said Monday – he asked what he must to do return to the NHL.

“He ... Read the full article

Sabres thrilled for Bills’ success: ‘They’ve just had a tremendous season’

BUFFALO – Ralph Krueger normally goes to bed long before “Sunday Night Football” ends. Still, the Sabres coach stayed up late to watch the Bills’ thrilling 17-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, which clinched just their second playoff berth in 20 seasons.

“I cut into my sleep,” Krueger joked today inside KeyBank Center.

Of course, Krueger, who said he has become as a big a Bills fan as anybody, was happy he could enjoy such ... Read the full article

Sabres demoted Casey Mittelstadt to Amerks to play games

BUFFALO – On Sunday, a day off for the Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted.

After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the Rochester Americans for the first time, Botterill said the youngster quickly asked what he must to do return to the NHL.

“He is a mature guy, he is ... Read the full article

Islanders present stiff challenge for Sabres

BUFFALO – What do the St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and New York Islanders have in common?

The teams, three of the Sabres’ opponents this week, thrive because of their rigid defensive structure.

“It’s not a free-flowing, open style like a lot of teams are playing with the foot on the offensive gas all the time,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said Friday. “There’s a real defensive passion to these three team games.”

After beating the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Johan Larsson scoring, having fun: ‘He has an offensive upside’

BUFFALO – This is new, you know. Not only is Sabres center Johan Larsson piling up points, he’s also having fun and smiling.

“He wasn’t ‘Angry Larry’ last night,” Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said of his linemate’s nickname. “He’s having a blast. I think you can see it in his face.”

Right now, having compiled two goals and nine points in the last seven games, Larsson is enjoying a career-best stretch entering tonight’s home game ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin practices, could be close to returning from concussion

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, out the last eight games with a concussion, practiced today on a regular pairing and also manned a point on the top power play.

So, could Dahlin, 19, return Thursday against the Nashville Predators?

“There’s a definitely a step in the right direction,” Krueger said inside KeyBank Center. “We’re just going to assess him and wanted to see him in his customary role and see how he looks. ... Read the full article

Linus Ullmark emerges as Sabres’ No. 1 goalie during Carter Hutton’s slump

BUFFALO – If Carter Hutton were performing close to his usual standards, the Sabres goalie would likely start tonight’s home game against the St. Louis Blues.

Hutton, 33, spent two seasons with the Blues, playing 61 games before signing a three-year, $8.25 million contract with the Sabres.

The veteran, of course, probably wants to face the Blues, the defending Stanley Cup champions, badly.

But for the for the ninth time in the last 12 games, ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo accompanies Sabres on road trip

BUFFALO – Winger Kyle Okposo, out since suffering a concussion Nov. 16, accompanied the Sabres on their three-game road trip, which begins Thursday against the Calgary Flames.

Okposo, who started practicing Monday, has missed the last nine games. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said the veteran is day-to-day.

Meanwhile, with forward Evan Rodrigues ready to return from a five-game absence (lower-body), the Sabres sent center Jean-Sebastien Dea back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.... Read the full article