Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Three more Sabres removed from COVID-related absences list

BUFFALO – The NHL late this afternoon removed Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and forwards Dylan Cozens and Curtis Lazar from the COVID-19 protocol-related absences list.

Forward Casey Mittelstadt is the only Sabres player left on the absences list. They had nine players on it last week.

Sabres defensemen Jake McCabe and Brandon Montour were taken off the absences list earlier today. They could play tonight against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jake McCabe, Brandon Montour ready to play, but lineup still unclear

Jack McCabe and Brandon Montour have been cleared to play, so the Buffalo Sabres defensemen will be in tonight’s lineup against the New York Islanders, right?

Well, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger wouldn’t reveal if McCabe and Montour, both of whom tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, will play.

“It doesn’t really give us any advantage to reveal our final decisions,” Krueger said on a Zoom call following this morning’s optional skate at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres register zero shots in third period, fall to Islanders in return

BUFFALO – Monday’s loss to the New York Islanders could’ve been penciled in days ago.

Teams coming off a break usually fare poorly against competition that has been playing uninterrupted. The short-handed Sabres were playing their first game in 15 days without six players who are still in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Adjusting to the NHL’s pace and grind after sitting idle can be difficult. The Sabres had to do it without three of their ... 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

Ralph Krueger plans to coach behind bench; Sabres move Don Granato

BUFFALO – Coach Ralph Krueger, who recently recovered from COVID-19 and returned to the Sabres on Sunday, plans to be behind the bench tonight against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center.

“I feel good to go,” Krueger said on a Zoom call this morning. “Obviously, with the strong support around me it makes it easier where they’ve done an excellent job. But I felt really good in the skate today and meetings this ... 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

Ralph Krueger returns to Sabres: ‘Time to realize how lethal this COVID is’

BUFFALO – Ralph Krueger only stayed on the ice about 15 minutes. After the Sabres coach chatted with several players and exchanged some fist-bumps, he left and watched Sunday’s practice from the KeyBank Center stands.

But just having an opportunity to touch the ice for a spell and enjoy some brief interactions helped recharge Krueger, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 4.

“Just this morning, when the players arrived and we passed each other, ... 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

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, Rasmus Dahlin return to practice

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ralph Krueger and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin returned to practice this morning following COVID-19-related absences.

Krueger, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 4, is wearing an N95 mask and has been skating around the KeyBank Center ice talking to some players. Assistant coach Steve Smith is still leading the session.

Update: Krueger left the ice after about 15 minutes.

Post-practice update: Krueger said he will see how he feels Monday morning ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Taylor Hall felt asymptomatic after positive COVID-19 test

BUFFALO – Taylor Hall knows he’ll feel a little rusty. The winger had to complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. He returned to practice Saturday, giving him just two sessions to prepare for the Sabres’ next game.

Still, Hall, who said he was asymptomatic, plans to play in Monday’s home game against the New York Islanders.

“There’s no better way to get back into it than to throw yourself in and ... Read the full article