Rochester Americans | Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres send two players to taxi squad, four others to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres this morning assigned forward Rasmus Asplund and defenseman Will Borgen to the taxi squad and also sent three players from the taxi squad to the AHL.

Defenseman Jacob Bryson and forwards Steven Fogarty, Andrew Oglevie and C.J. Smith moved from the practice group to the Rochester Americans.

Asplund and Borgen both played in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tobias Rieder returns to lineup, Buffalo adds new players

BUFFALO – When Sabres winger Tobias Rieder learned earlier this month he had tested positive for COVID-19, the news shocked him.

The German felt fine. He figured the result couldn’t be correct.

“But sure enough, a couple hours after I could feel the symptoms,” Rieder said prior to Monday’s 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ first outing since Jan. 31.

Rieder, 28, said he experienced “a rough couple days.” ... Read the full article

Three Sabres return from COVID-19 absences, say they tested positive

BUFFALO – Three Sabres on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list – winger Tobias Rieder and defensemen Jake McCabe and Brandon Montour all acknowledged they tested positive – skated with their teammates again this morning.

Now, will they play tonight against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center?

“They remain day-to-day candidates and we’d like to consume, digest what happened here this morning,” said coach Ralph Krueger, whose Sabres haven’t played since Jan. 31.

Krueger ... Read the full article

Sabres will likely field lineup with C.J. Smith, other taxi-squad players

BUFFALO – Having seven players on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list means the Sabres must utilize their taxi squad to dress a full lineup tonight.

So defensemen Will Borgen and Brandon Davidson and wingers Steven Fogarty and C.J. Smith could all be thrust into action against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center.

Borgen and Davidson have spent the entire season on the taxi squad. They haven’t played a game at any level since ... Read the full article

Taylor Hall returns to practice; Sabres add three players from Amerks

BUFFALO – Winger Taylor Hall, who was added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list on Feb. 2, is practicing with the Sabres this morning inside KeyBank Center.

The Sabres still have eight players in the league’s COVID protocol. They’re scheduled to host the New York Islanders on Monday.

Hall, 29, is practicing at left wing beside center Eric Staal and Sam Reinhart. Jeff Skinner, meanwhile, is at left wing with top center Jack ... Read the full article

Sabres send C.J. Smith to Amerks, recall goalie again

The Buffalo Sabres assigned forward C.J. Smith from the taxi squad to the Rochester Americans this afternoon and recalled goalie Dustin Tokarski to the taxi squad.

This is the third straight day Smith and Tokarski have been involved in transactions.

The Sabres likely sent Smith, 26, to the Amerks so he can play in tonight’s road game against the Cleveland Monsters. They assigned him to the AHL on Wednesday, and he recorded an assist in ... Read the full article

Eric Staal’s experience shows Sabres’ Jack Quinn can develop with Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Jack Quinn, the eighth overall pick last year, will be making his pro debut soon, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert told WGR.

Quinn, 19, had to quarantine following his arrival last week from the Sabres, who began battling COVID-19 problems shortly before they sent him to the AHL. The winger missed two games.

The Amerks play a road contest Friday against the Cleveland Monsters.

Quinn spent the early part of ... Read the full article

Sabres recall C.J. Smith from Amerks, make another goalie move

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled forward C.J. Smith to their taxi squad this morning and assigned goalie Dustin Tokarski from the taxi squad to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres sent Smith, 26, to Rochester on Wednesday, and he recorded an assist for the Amerks in his season debut, a 4-3 win overtime win against the Syracuse Crunch.

Smith, who has 13 games of NHL experience, is practicing this morning inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres make goalie move, send C.J. Smith to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres recalled goalie Dustin Tokarski to their taxi squad this afternoon and assigned forward C.J. Smith from the taxi squad to the Rochester Americans.

Tokarski, 31, was briefly on the taxi squad earlier this season. The veteran played in the Amerks’ season opener Friday, making 31 saves in a 3-2 loss to the Utica Comets.

Smith will likely play his first game this season at any level tonight for the Amerks, who host ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Don Granato could move from behind bench

BUFFALO – When the Sabres play a game again, the chances of assistant coach Don Granato being behind the bench appear to be slim.

Granato, 53, missed nearly two months at the beginning of last season after he was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. He needed a ventilator and had a blood infection, according to The Buffalo News.

The Sabres have nine players on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list. Coach Ralph Krueger, meanwhile, tested positive ... Read the full article