Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Evander Kane happy investigation over

BUFFALO – A relieved-looking Evander Kane said this morning he’s happy he won’t be charged after a 74-day investigation into a sexual encounter he had Dec. 27 at a downtown hotel.

“I’m definitely happy that the process is behind me,” the Sabres winger said. “I’m very grateful with the support I got from the Buffalo Sabres and my teammates and family members as well. I’m thankful that this is behind me and we can move ... Read the full article

Sabres want to keep building identity

BUFFALO – Right away, five months ago, the Sabres passed the eye test. Following two wretched seasons, the rebuilt club immediately looked like, well, a real team again.

While this campaign has still been rough – they rank seventh in the Atlantic Division and 26^th overall – the Sabres believe they’ve started creating a strong identity they can carry into the future.

The new-look team (27-33-9) has morphed back into a competitive outfit in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evander Kane won’t be charged after investigation

BUFFALO – Evander Kane won’t be charged after an investigation into a sexual encounter the Sabres winger had Dec. 27 at a downtown hotel.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office and the Buffalo Police sex offense squad followed automatic protocols and determined Kane, 24, did nothing illegal. No criminal complaint was ever filed.

“After careful and diligent examination of all the known facts, including the results of forensic and toxicology testing, neither the provable facts ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly skates for first time since injury

BUFFALO – If Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly had his way, he might’ve stayed out for hours. But the rink inside HarborCenter was only available until 1:30 p.m., so the NHL All-Star’s first skate since hurting his right foot three weeks ago ended a little early.

“Kind of kicked off, I guess,” O’Reilly said after walking back to the First Niagara Center.

O’Reilly, who was joined by defenseman Cody Franson, skated at least 90 minutes.

O’Reilly, ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Brian Gionta happy back in checking role

BUFFALO – What’s new for Sabres captain Brian Gionta is really old.

As a youngster with the New Jersey Devils, years before he developed into an often lethal scoring threat, the diminutive winger won a Stanley Cup in 2003 playing on a checking line.

“I came into the league kind of in the role I’m in now,” Gionta said Wednesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s road tilt against the Montreal Canadiens, the team he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly itching to return; Robin Lehner to start Thursday

BUFFALO – As Ryan O’Reilly nears the three-week mark of his injury, the Sabres are starting to see more of their No. 1 center around the rink.

O’Reilly, who hurt his right foot Feb. 19 in Columbus, has started attending meetings and watching practice from the bench, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said.

“He’s even chirping the coaches a little bit in practice,” Bylsma said this afternoon. “He’s trying to get as close as he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ furious comeback against Rangers falls short

BUFFALO – Robin Lehner spoke calmly and passionately. Of course, the goalie said, he wanted to stay in the Sabres’ 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers instead of getting yanked.

Despite allowing three goals in barely 26 minutes of action Tuesday, the fiery Lehner believes he was playing well enough “to keep fighting to the end and be a part of a turnaround.”

“I’m a competitor,” Lehner said. “I want to stay in there ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart developing into playmaker

BUFFALO – Early on, Sam Reinhart’s slick playmaking abilities took a backseat as the Sabres rookie developed into a strong net-front presence.

By late February, Reinhart, who regularly parks himself at the crease, owned an odd and lopsided stat line: 18 goals and nine assists.

Now, Reinhart, 20, has started showcasing his dynamic passing skills – anticipation and vision that compliment his soft hands – and upped his assists total by running off five ... Read the full article

Cal O’Reilly producing for Sabres

BUFFALO – Don’t think of Cal O’Reilly as a late-season recall the Sabres simply added to fill out the roster for a few weeks.

If O’Reilly keeps producing like he has recently – one goal and three points in four games – the versatile forward could perhaps earn a regular role as a third- or fourth-liner next season.

“I always view the roster as about 32 people,” coach Dan Bylsma said today after the Sabres ... Read the full article

Top talent rallies Sabres past Leafs

TORONTO – Call it whatever you want – a tank, a deep rebuild – the Maple Leafs gutted their roster recently, leaving coach Mike Babcock a team filled with unknown neophytes to mold into NHL talent.

The Buffalo Sabres, meanwhile, have already endured what the Leafs are just beginning: a total overhaul. The Sabres are, theoretically, two years ahead of Toronto.

At this stage, they should exploit a reeling club dressing six rookies. The Sabres ... Read the full article