WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
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Victor Olofsson played six games with the Sabres last season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Everyone can see Victor Olofsson’s dynamic ability to shoot the puck has helped him develop into an elite goal scorer.
The quick release. The accuracy and speed.
Few players can unleash the puck like the 24-year-old Sabres rookie.
“He’s a pure goal scorer,” Sabres captain Jack Eichel said following Tuesday’s practice inside KeyBank Center.
Olofsson’s lethal shot has helped him morph from an unknown seventh-round pick into a first-line NHL winger.
Still, a ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson will be back soon. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – In what are almost certainly paper transactions, the Sabres sent winger Victor Olofsson and defenseman Henri Jokiharju to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.
The Sabres also recalled forwards Jean-Sebastien Dea and Curtis Lazar and defenseman Lawrence Pilut.
In addition, the Sabres placed defensemen Zach Bogosian, Matt Hunwick and Brandon Montour and goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on injured reserve.... Read the full article
Chris Taylor knows the Sabres well. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Having just spent most of training camp with the Sabres, coach Ralph Krueger expects Chris Taylor to transition to the NHL smoothly.
The Sabres promoted Taylor, the Rochester Americans’ head coach, on an interim basis today to replace assistant coach Don Granato, who’s hospitalized with pneumonia.
Granato, 52, will be taking a medical leave from the Sabres.
“The curve is in the right direction,” Krueger said of Granato’s health following today’s practice ... Read the full article
Chris Taylor has led Rochester to two playoff appearances. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Assistant coach Don Granato has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia and will be taking a medical leave from the Sabres, the team announced this morning.
To replace him, the Sabres have promoted Rochester Americans head coach Chris Taylor on an interim basis.
Amerks assistant Gord Dineen, 57, will take over Taylor’s coaching duties. Sabres development coach Adam Mair will also assist Rochester early in the season.... Read the full article
Counting the playoffs, Tage Thompson played 11 games with Rochester last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – During his 11-game run in Rochester late last season, Sabres prospect Tage Thompson often looked dominant, utilizing his big body and talents to score eight goals.
Thompson, 21, probably should’ve spent most of the campaign with the Americans. But the Sabres, perhaps to show they had something from the Ryan O’Reilly trade, kept the 6-foot-6 winger in the NHL.
So instead of thriving in the AHL, Thompson stayed in Buffalo until late March, ... Read the full article