Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Eric Comrie set to return from conditioning stint in Rochester

BUFFALO – When the Sabres convene for their pregame skate this morning, Eric Comrie will likely be one of three goalies on the ice as they prepare for the Philadelphia Flyers.

On Friday, Comrie made the third and likely final start of his conditioning assignment with the Rochester Americans, stopping 24 shots in a 3-2 home loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

He did not dress for Saturday’s 4-3 road win over the Syracuse Crunch.... Read the full article

Brilliant outing by Rasmus Dahlin leads Sabres past Wild in OT: ‘He was a force’

BUFFALO – By the end of one of the most brilliant performances by a Sabres defenseman in their 53-year history, Rasmus Dahlin was exhausted.

Dahlin, having surpassed a minute on the ice, desperately wanted to get to the bench for a breather late in Saturday’s frantic overtime against the Minnesota Wild.

“I was going to, but I have to play defense,” Dahlin said following his dynamic two-goal, five-point performance in the Sabres’ thrilling 6-5 win. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Henri Jokiharju nears return from lower-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju, sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury on Dec. 9, could play in about a week, coach Don Granato said.

Jokiharju, 23, joined his teammates this morning and skated in a contact role as they prepared for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild. The Finn has missed the last nine games.

“When a player gets back into practice, that window is really short at this point, as long as he ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence gives Sabres good goalie problem

BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie has created a good problem the team will likely have to address in the coming days.

Luukkonen, having won five straight starts and seven of his last eight entering tonight’s home game against the Minnesota Wild, has possibly entrenched himself in the NHL. The Finn, 23, has developed into the Sabres’ backbone and one of their biggest difference-makers over the past month.

His splendid ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson reflective after NHL All-Star selection: ‘A tough journey’

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Tage Thompson learned he had earned his first selection to the NHL All-Star Game, he reflected on his long, arduous journey to one of hockey’s premier events.

While Thompson, 25, made his big league debut with the St. Louis Blues in 2017, he struggled for years to secure regular duty and reach his vast potential. He endured demotions, a season-ending injury and other setbacks before enjoying a 38-goal breakout campaign ... Read the full article

After Damar Hamlin injury, Sabres had open dialogue, knew they had special opportunity: ‘We owed it to … Buffalo’

BUFFALO – In those first hours after Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati, general manager Kevyn Adams sensed the Sabres needed to have some open dialogue.

Tuesday wouldn’t be a normal game day as the Sabres prepared for the Washington Capitals. Many players were watching “Monday Night Football” when Hamlin collapsed after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. The Bills and Sabres are both owned ... Read the full article

Prolific season earns Sabres star Tage Thompson spot in NHL All-Star Game

BUFFALO – Tage Thompson’s development into an NHL All-Star ranks as one of hockey’s most remarkable stories.

Less than two years ago, Thompson, 25, was a struggling winger on the NHL’s worst team. The Sabres even demoted him to the taxi squad. Today, he’s their No. 1 center and the centerpiece of the league’s most prolific offense.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Thompson has scored 30 goals and 55 points in 36 outings this season, gaudy numbers ... Read the full article

Dynamic December earns Sabres’ Tage Thompson NHL Third Star honors

A career-best month in which he scored a whopping 13 goals and 22 points in 11 games has earned Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson NHL Third Star honors for December.

Thompson, 25, scored a goal in eight games during the month, including a five-goal, six-point outing on Dec. 7 in Columbus, and registered a point in nine contests.

In that 9-4 road win against the Blue Jackets, Thompson became just the second Sabres player to ... Read the full article

Sabres send Eric Comrie to Rochester on AHL conditioning assignment

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday sent goalie Eric Comrie, who suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 16, to the Rochester Americans on a conditioning assignment.

Comrie, who has missed the last 17 games, started practicing again in mid-December. He can stay with the Amerks for a maximum of 14 days, according to the collective bargaining agreement.

The Amerks play a road game on Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Marlies.

Update: Comrie started and made ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs developing with Zemgus Girgensons, Kyle Okposo

BUFFALO – In the second period of Thursday’s 6-3 win, Sabres center Peyton Krebs zoomed into the Detroit zone to chase down a loose puck and drove Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider into the boards behind the net.

Krebs, who’s four inches shorter and 17 pounds lighter than Seider, gained possession. A split-second later, linemate Zemgus Girgensons fed captain Kyle Okposo in front for the first of his three goals in the Sabres’ fifth ... Read the full article