Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson made most of time as scratch; Connor Clifton must ‘elevate his play’

BUFFALO – As he morphed from a regular into the Sabres’ seventh or eighth defenseman over the past two years, Jacob Bryson developed a unique skill.

Bryson believes he can be scratched for long stretches – in the most recent instance, he went 42 days between playing games – and rejoin the lineup ready to contribute, no easy task.

“I honestly think it’s a skill I’ve brought to my game over the last couple years,” ... Read the full article

Sabres scratch Henri Jokiharju, Mattias Samuelsson against Senators

BUFFALO – The struggling Sabres shook up their lineup for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators by scratching defensemen Henri Jokiharju and Mattias Samuelsson.

Both players participated in the team’s optional morning skate in KeyBank Center and are believed to be healthy.

This marks the second straight game coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres have a three-game losing streak, has scratched at least one regular defenseman. He benched Connor Clifton for Saturday’s 2-1 road loss to ... Read the full article

Sabres create roster spot by loaning rookie Jiri Kulich to Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon sent rookie forward Jiri Kulich to the Rochester Americans, creating a roster spot for winger Zach Benson.

Coach Lindy Ruff said following this morning’s skate he would talk to Benson, who has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, to see how he felt.

Kulich, 20, compiled one goal in eight games as he moved in and out of the lineup over the last month. In ... Read the full article

As Sabres struggle, Lindy Ruff wants to raise standard: ‘OK … not good enough’

BUFFALO – If you examine each loss during the Sabres’ current three-game skid, sure, positives can be found.

On Friday, they opened the scoring against the New York Islanders and staged a late comeback. Last Monday, they roared back from a two-goal deficit versus the Florida Panthers.

In Saturday’s 2-1 loss in Detroit, they grabbed an early lead and outshot the Red Wings.

What do the 4-7-1 Sabres have to show for those games? Nothing.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson a ‘possibility’ to return from injury against Senators

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zach Benson, out the last five games with a lower-body injury, is a “possibility” to return for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Benson, 19, practiced Monday at left wing alongside center Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, his first full session since leaving the lineup Oct. 22. He also skated on the second power-play unit.

Update: Ruff said following this morning’s pregame skate he would see how ... Read the full article

Video: Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius scores two nifty goals for Rochester

Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius arrived in North America a polished youngster, having spent two seasons playing pro hockey against men in his native Finland.

It felt like the rookie center, the 14th overall pick this year, could acclimate quickly to a different brand of hockey.

Well, Helenius, 18, is starting to heat up. He scored one goal in each of the Rochester Americans’ road victories this weekend. He’s up to three goals and four ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens scores early, but mistakes doom Sabres in loss to Islanders

BUFFALO – The New York Islanders limped into town in a tailspin, having lost three straight games and scored just one goal in their last eight periods. They departed Friday filled with confidence after handing the Sabres a troubling 4-3 defeat.

Following two season-opening losses, the Sabres had found a groove, compiling a 4-2-1 mark in their next seven games. Sure, they hardly set the NHL on fire, but in these parts, a record like ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Lindy Ruff could utilize depth to change Buffalo’s lineup

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres’ depth offers coach Lindy Ruff some intriguing options. He has been scratching three healthy players each game, meaning he has fresh bodies he can plug into the lineup.

With another game tonight in Detroit, he can infuse some jump in a team that will likely feel fatigued following Friday’s 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders in KeyBank Center.

“In back-to-back games, we’ll have depth to put fresh bodies ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson close to returning from injury; Devon Levi set to start

BUFFALO – For six games, winger Zach Benson gutted out a lower-body injury that hindered his performance before the Sabres yanked him from the lineup.

“It’s hard to tell a player not to play,” Sabres Lindy Ruff said this morning after Benson participated in the Sabres’ optional pregame skate in KeyBank Center. “… There’s a lot of guys that aren’t 100 percent. There’s something that might be bothering a lot of different players right now. ... Read the full article

Sabres hope shifting struggling Dylan Cozens to wing can ignite him

BUFFALO – History says Dylan Cozens’ position change will be temporary. Shifting him from center to right wing is a slump-busting move by Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.

Centers, of course, are always at a premium and Cozens, 23, has been entrenched as the Sabres’ second-line pivot for years. It’s just that 10 games into the season, having scored zero goals, he’s in a rut.

Ruff needs to ignite the Yukon native, so in Thursday’s ... Read the full article