WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
February Edition
Don Granato took over the Sabres in 2020-21. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In signing coach Don Granato to a multi-year contract extension, the Sabres have stability behind the bench they haven’t enjoyed since Lindy Ruff’s tenure in the early 2000s.
In inking Mattias Samuelsson to a seven-year, $30 million deal, they locked up a 22-year-old first-pair defenseman.
This morning was very significant for the Sabres, who open the season Thursday against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article
The Sabes are confident JJ Peterka (left) and Jack Quinn will keep developing in the NHL. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres rookie JJ Peterka stood before the media in his sweat-soaked practice uniform, a smile etched on his face.
On Monday, general manager Kevyn Adams called Peterka, 20, and Jack Quinn, 21, and informed them they had earned a spot in the Sabres’ opening night lineup.
Two years ago, after drafting Quinn eighth overall, Adams moved up to take Peterka with the 34th pick after the German surprisingly fell out of ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo was injured last week. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo has been cleared to play after suffering an upper-body last week, coach Don Granato said.
Okposo, 34, practiced fully Tuesday, skating at right wing beside center Rasmus Asplund and Zemgus Girgensons.
“He won’t be denied,” Don Granato said following the session at LECOM Harborcenter. “… Evident by the way he competes in practice, he’s ready to go.”... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo talks to the media Monday about becoming Buffalo’s captain. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato acknowledged the Sabres could’ve named Kyle Okposo their new captain long before Saturday. But in waiting, fans could get to know the team, watch it develop and understand the 16-year veteran’s influence on the group.
“Everybody now has seen enough of Kyle to realize that this is the right move for our organization,” Granato said following Monday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter. “That I’m real proud of. It’s not like we ... Read the full article
JJ Peterka skates during Monday’s practice. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres on Monday finalized their 23-man regular-season roster, sending goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and defenseman Lawrence Pilut to the minors and placing forward Riley Sheahan on injured reserve with a muscle injury.
That means wingers JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn, both of whom enjoyed dynamic rookie seasons with the Rochester Americans last year, have made the big club.
While Peterka did not stand out during training camp, the Sabres are confident he ... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund played a career-high 80 games last season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – From his perch above the ice last spring at Nokia Arena, Sabres coach Don Granato proudly watched Rasmus Asplund’s exploits for Team Sweden.
Asplund, 24, carried the confidence he generated during his first full NHL season into the World Championship, seizing a starring role in Tampere, Finland.
Over two weeks, he morphed into a first-line winger and his country’s most utilized forward, scoring six goals in eight games.... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo has one season remaining on his seven-year contract. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
As expected, the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday named veteran winger Kyle Okposo the 20th full-time captain in franchise history.
The team also announced veteran forward Zemgus Girgensons and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will serve as alternate captains.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams announced the new leadership group Saturday at a team function.... Read the full article
Chase Priskie is one of three defensemen Buffalo would like to send to the minors. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon placed defensemen Kale Clague, Jeremy Davies and Chase Priskie on waivers.
If they clear, coach Don Granato said they will be assigned to the Rochester Americans.
The Sabres have 26 players – 15 forwards, eight defensemen and three goalies – left in training camp. They must finalize their 23-man regular-season roster by 5 p.m. Monday.
Update: Clague, Davies and Priskie have cleared and been assigned to the Amerks.... Read the full article
Lawrence Pilut is one of several defensemen Buffalo signed during the summer. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres have likely known for months which seven defensemen will comprise their opening night roster.
Jacob Bryson, Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, Casey Fitzgerald, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson entrenched themselves on the blue line last season. In signing Ilya Lyubushkin in free agency, the Sabres added a gritty veteran presence they lacked.
But what about the rest of the defense corps? Given the rugged nature of the position, defensemen are always at ... Read the full article
Vinnie Hinostroza re-signed with Buffalo during the summer. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres scratched Victor Olofsson for Tuesday’s preseason game, so Vinnie Hinostroza earned a promotion to the top line, skating at right wing beside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner.
Early in the 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, Hinostroza grabbed a nifty pass from Skinner high in the slot and roofed a shot in as he zoomed to the net.
On Wednesday, the Sabres, having lost Kyle Okposo to an upper-body ... Read the full article