Reinhart - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson rebounds; Jack Eichel ready for Sidney Crosby

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres goalie Chad Johnson embraces a simple philosophy following poor outings: Don’t panic, just stick with it.

“I think when you start sitting down and being like, ‘OK, I got to change this, change that, get out here and do this,’ now you’re overthinking instead of saying it was one of those days,” Johnson said Wednesday inside the Consol Energy Center.

Johnson, 29, experienced one of those days Friday, looking shaky in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dan Bylsma has no hard feelings toward Penguins

PITTSBURGH – There are no hard feelings, Buffalo Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. For five and a half years, he enjoyed a heck of a ride coaching the Penguins, winning a Stanley Cup in 2009.

That they let him twist in the wind at the end, refusing to fire him before eventually letting him go, doesn’t matter.

“I don’t think there needs to be any reconciliation,” Bylsma said this afternoon inside the Consol Energy Center. ... Read the full article

Goalie prospect Linus Ullmark excited to join Sabres

BUFFALO – If Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark had suffered any setbacks in his rehab following double-hip surgery in April, the worst-case scenario would’ve been a return to the ice in January.

But the Swede, 22, recovered quickly enough to join full practices a month ago and earn three starts with the Rochester Americans this month.

Ullmark dazzled in the AHL, making 38 saves in his debut and 43 on Wednesday. Incredibly, just three games into ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart becoming offensive threat

BUFFALO – The plays have mostly been subtle, devoid of the flash one might expect from a former second overall pick.

While quietly morphing into one of the Sabres’ top offensive threats, rookie winger Sam Reinhart, 19, has been showcasing the intelligence that makes him a coveted prospect.

Some of Reinhart’s best work – goalie screens and passes that illustrate his supreme vision – almost goes unnoticed.

“No one would ever question his intelligence ... Read the full article

Struggling Sabres believe goals will eventually come

BUFFALO – Here they go again. Sure, five games is a small sample size. But the Sabres, even with several talented new offensive threats in their arsenal, still can’t score goals.

The rebuilt club has only nine goals, 1.8 a game, and just four at even strength. Not surprisingly, the Sabres are 1-4, the same mark they had at this point last season.

They scored four times in their only victory and haven’t netted more ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Dan Bylsma constantly tinkering with lines

BUFFALO – After some fourth-line duty in the season opener, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma rewarded Jamie McGinn with a plum assignment as the right winger beside rookie center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane early Saturday afternoon.

McGinn, however, didn’t last long on the second line.

Bylsma moved Marcus Foligno up beside Eichel early. Zemgus Girgensons, who practiced with Eichel on Friday, also received some time. So did Tyler Ennis and Sam Reinhart. Then McGinn went ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel scores in NHL debut

BUFFALO – For the first two periods of his NHL debut, Jack Eichel blended in among the other 10 skaters on the ice. The slick Sabres center looked like, well, a rookie playing against superior competition.

Then suddenly, like he somehow matured over a brief intermission, Eichel, 18, morphed into the best player on the ice late in the Sabres’ 3-1 opening-night loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

“You didn’t see him skate in ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel just one big piece for Sabres

BUFFALO – Rookie Jack Eichel felt the anticipation building for his NHL debut long before the Sabres drafted him second overall 104 days ago. The center knows the excited Buffalo fans see him as the future of the franchise.

But to Eichel, 18, the new chapter the revamped Sabres will begin tonight against the Ottawa Senators, the so-called “Eichel Era,” is about much more than one player.

“We have a pretty young team,” Eichel said ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel ready to switch to No. 15

BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Dan Bylsma spoke to center Jack Eichel this morning, the two chatted about the phenom’s first NHL training camp and where his game was at a day before his debut.

Bylsma then informed Eichel, 18, he had made the Sabres, something the rookie had been waiting to hear.

“Then I asked him if he wanted to switch from 41 to 15,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center. “Obviously, the ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel still wearing No. 41; Sabres roster set

BUFFALO – At some point in the next day or so, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma will grab center Jack Eichel for a moment and tell the rookie he has made the opening-night roster.

Not exactly surprising news, right?

“It won’t be a 15-minute meeting,” Bylsma joked this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

But until Eichel, 18, officially hears the news from Bylsma, he’s operating like he must earn his spot. He still sported ... Read the full article