Scandella - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

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

Sabres’ Marcus Johansson to miss at least next three games

BUFFALO – An upper-body injury will sideline Sabres center Marcus Johansson through the weekend, coach Ralph Krueger said this morning.

So in addition to missing tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Johansson will be out Saturday versus the Ottawa Senators and Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“We think it’s better to give him a few days here to rehab so we’re not planning with him for the three games,” Krueger said this morning inside KeyBank ... Read the full article

Return from hip surgery makes Sabres’ Zach Bogosian emotional, excited

BUFFALO – Zach Bogosian couldn’t find the words to describe what he has experienced recovering from his second hip surgery.

Injuries have ravaged the Sabres defenseman throughout his five years here, costing him a whopping 148 games.

After undergoing surgery in April – Bogosian had his other hip repaired in early 2018 – he endured setbacks. A recovery expected to take about five or six months has lasted around eight.

Finally, Bogosian, 29, joined ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Curtis Lazar enjoys short trip to Buffalo

BUFFALO – The 70- or so mile drive from Rochester to KeyBank Center sure beats trying to get from Stockton, Calif., to Calgary. Just ask Sabres winger Curtis Lazar.

When the Flames would recall Lazar, 24, from the Heat, their AHL affiliate about 1,300 miles away, he would have to fly out of the San Francisco airport.

Stockton is about 83 miles from that airport.

Lazar enjoyed a much easier trip to Buffalo on ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian emotional after return to practice

BUFFALO – Zach Bogosian wasn’t about to let Henri Jokiharju skate by him today, even during a practice drill. So the Sabres defenseman rammed his teammate into the KeyBank Center glass, a move that looked better suited for a game.

“It was just the way the drill was going,” a smiling Bogosian said after practicing for the first time this season. “It was either that or he was going to go by me. That’s probably ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian set to practice; Vladimir Sobotka out four to six weeks

BUFFALO – More than six months after undergoing hip surgery, defenseman Zach Bogosian will return to practice today, the Sabres announced this morning.

Bogosian, who’s week-to-week, will be joined by defenseman Marco Scandella, who has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury.

That doesn’t mean the Sabres are healthy.

They announced this morning a lower-body injury will sideline winger Vladimir Sobotka four to six weeks. Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov hit Sobotka ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Lawrence Pilut before trip to Sweden

The Buffalo Sabres recalled defenseman Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans tonight before they left for their two-game trip to Sweden.

Pilut, 23, is one of six Swedes on the roster. He will likely serve as a spare defenseman during the trip.

The Sabres had seven healthy defenders before Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the New York Islanders.

To make room for Pilut, the Sabres placed defenseman Marco Scandella (lower body) on injured reserve.... Read the full article

Sabres send Will Borgen to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres sent prospect Will Borgen, their extra defenseman the last two games, back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

The Sabres also assigned Borgen, 22, to the Amerks on Saturday. He played for the AHL club later that day before they recalled him again Sunday.

Borgen will likely play in Wednesday’s home game against the Providence Bruins.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: John Gilmour seizes early chance after waiting 11 games

BUFFALO – John Gilmour had never waited so long to play a game. After appearing in the Sabres’ preseason finale Sept. 27, the defenseman sat out 11 contests before making his season debut Friday.

So Gilmour, the Sabres’ spare defender, patiently waited 28 days for his opportunity to materialize as the blue line remained healthy.

Gilmour, of course, acknowledged being a healthy scratch can be difficult. But he still reveled in the Sabres’ early-season success.... Read the full article