WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Casey Mittelstadt is one of two rookies on the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Thirteen forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies comprise the Sabres’ first 23-man roster for the 2018-19 season.
NHL rosters needed to be finalized by 5 p.m. The Sabres open the season Thursday against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres reached the 23-man limit by placing four players – forwards Johan Larsson, Sean Malone and Scott Wilson and defenseman Matt Hunwick – on injured reserve.... Read the full article
Patrik Berglund spent 10 seasons in St. Louis. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Patrik Berglund’s booming voice echoed throughout HarborCenter.
“Use your stick!” the Sabres center shouted, along with another word that can’t be reprinted, during a practice drill last week.
Some of Berglund’s new teammates then quickly burst out laughing. In the midst of an intense training camp, he provided some much-needed levity.
“This game’s about having fun,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said Monday inside KeyBank Center. “He enjoys coming to the rink and having ... Read the full article
Jack Dougherty was a second-round pick by Nashville. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Winger Nick Baptiste’s career in the Sabres organization is over.
The Sabres traded Baptiste, 23, to the Nashville Predators tonight in exchange for defenseman Jack Dougherty.
Given the Sabres waived Baptiste and assigned him to the Rochester Americans after he cleared waivers Sunday, a deal wasn’t surprising.... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian has a lower-body injury. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – This morning, three days before the Sabres open the season, 23 healthy players practiced inside KeyBank Center.
So, could that be their 23-man roster for Thursday’s opener here against the Boston Bruins? The roster must be finalized by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
“It’s too early to tell,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said. “There’s a lot of moving parts right now.”... Read the full article
Conor Sheary was injured the first day of training camp. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Just as one Sabres winger, Conor Sheary, returned from an injury Sunday, they lost another one.
Toward of the end of practice, Scott Wilson got tangled with defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and appeared to injure his right leg. Wilson stayed on the HarborCenter ice for a couple of minutes before being helped off. He couldn’t put any pressure on his right foot.... Read the full article
Scott Wilson is expected to occupy a spot on the fourth line. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Just as one Sabres winger, Conor Sheary, returned from an injury today, they lost another one.
Toward of the end of practice inside HarborCenter, Scott Wilson got tangled with defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and appeared to injure his right leg. Wilson stayed on the ice for a couple of minutes before being helped off. He couldn’t put any pressure on his right foot.... Read the full article
Justin Bailey (95) skates past Arizona’s Derek Stepan (21) and Jordan Martinook (25) on March 22. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres waived Justin Bailey and Nick Baptiste, two 23-year-old wingers who once ranked among the organization’s top prospects, and defenseman Matt Tennyson on Saturday.
The Sabres also sent rookie defenseman Lawrence Pilut to the AHL, meaning Brendan Guhle has possibly earned a spot on the blue line.
Teams have until noon today to claim the waived players. The Sabres, who open the season on Thursday against the Boston Bruins, have 28 players ... Read the full article
Matt Tennyson played 20 games with the Sabres last season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – One training camp earlier in his career, Sabres defenseman Matt Tennyson said he knew he was locked into the sixth spot on the San Jose Sharks’ blue line.
“Other than that, I’ve just been grinding away, just trying to make it,” Tennyson said Thursday inside KeyBank Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s preseason finale.
Tennyson, 28, is the typical journeymen defensemen. He usually ranks anywhere from sixth to 10th on the depth ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolaine (55) battles Arizona’s Jordan Martinook on March 22. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Seven Sabres, including center Jack Eichel and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, sat out today’s practice with “minor ailments” and will miss Friday’s preseason finale, coach Phil Housley said.
Housley said the players are all day-to-day. Center Johan Larsson, winger Conor Sheary and defensemen Zach Bogosian, Brandon Hickey and Marco Scandella also missed the session inside HarborCenter.... Read the full article
Scott Wilson (20) shadows Winnipeg’s Tyler Myers on Jan. 10. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The list is, well, rather short. During the Sabres’ disastrous 2017-18 season, just one forward, winger Scott Wilson, exceeded expectations.
No wonder the Sabres finished dead last.
Wilson, 26, quickly morphed into a reliable fourth-liner after the Sabres acquired him from the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 4.... Read the full article