Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Struggling Sabres believe goals will eventually come

BUFFALO – Here they go again. Sure, five games is a small sample size. But the Sabres, even with several talented new offensive threats in their arsenal, still can’t score goals.

The rebuilt club has only nine goals, 1.8 a game, and just four at even strength. Not surprisingly, the Sabres are 1-4, the same mark they had at this point last season.

They scored four times in their only victory and haven’t netted more ... Read the full article

Chad Johnson giving Sabres chance to win; Cody Franson day-to-day

BUFFALO – The numbers lie. In five games this season, Sabres goalie Chad Johnson has accumulated some below-average statistics – 1-4 with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage – subbing for injured starter Robin Lehner.

Still, Johnson, 29, has given the 1-4 Sabres “a chance to win every game he’s played,” coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon.

“I don’t know if you can ask for much more from him,” Bylsma said following ... Read the full article

Rasmus Ristolainen developing into Sabres’ top defenseman

BUFFALO – Just a week ago, it appeared the Sabres would be forced to utilize a blue line by committee early on. Without a proven No. 1 defenseman to gobble up minutes, coach Dan Bylsma had to spread the ice time out evenly, right?

Well, just three games into the season, Rasmus Ristolainen, 20, has quickly emerged as the club’s ace defenseman.

“(He’s) playing in all situations for us, playing against other teams’ best ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Brian Gionta questionable for Thursday; Zach Bogosian practices

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from HarborCenter, where the Sabres practiced about an hour before catching a flight for their two-game Florida road trip:

– Captain Brian Gionta, out the first three games with a lower-body injury, skated this morning beside center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane. He’s questionable for Thursday’s tilt against the Florida Panthers.

Gionta practiced Sunday but sat out the Sabres’ 4-2 win Monday afternoon.

“It’s one of those things, if you’re ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dan Bylsma used year away from coaching wisely

BUFFALO – In his season out of the NHL, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma occasionally got lost and took some time away from the game that had consumed his adult life.

He went fishing and hunting, an activity he could never enjoy, and spent more time with his family. There were, of course, hockey activities, too, like some guest coaching and analyst work.

But Bylsma, 45, mostly spent the year studying the league closely. With no ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel’s nifty goal helps Sabres beat Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Dan Bylsma knows Jack Eichel’s second NHL goal, a scintillating wrist shot from the left circle the rookie center created with some dogged determination and slick moves, will be replayed over and over again.

Three games into his career, Eichel, 18, has already scored a phenomenal goal.

Get used to seeing every last part of it.

“You will see that goal again,” Bylsma said Monday following the Sabres’ 4-2 win against ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly responds to move to left wing

BUFFALO – Three games into the season, Ryan O’Reilly, the shiny acquisition the Sabres recently awarded a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension and touted as their No. 1 center, has already been shifted to the left wing.

In an attempt to ignite his struggling top line Monday afternoon, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma moved Zemgus Girgensons to center between O’Reilly and Tyler Ennis for the Sabres’ 4-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets inside the ... Read the full article

Jake McCabe to make season debut for Sabres

BUFFALO – Seven defensemen will take the pregame warm-up this afternoon for the Sabres, coach Dan Bylsma said. Which one will sit against the Columbus Blue Jackets? He wouldn’t say.

Bylsma, however, said Jake McCabe will make his season debut. The Sabres summoned the defenseman, who turns 22 years old today, from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Update: Carlo Colaiacovo, a minus-3 this season, will sit. So will Matt Donovoan, who skated in the ... Read the full article

Sabres have goaltending options with Robin Lehner out 6-10 weeks

BUFFALO – The news on Robin Lehner, as expected, was bad. A high ankle sprain will sideline the starting goalie six to 10 weeks, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Sunday.

“It’s not a complete surprise to get the results and have that be the timeframe,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center.

So Lehner, who has been wheeling around the rink on a cart with his No. 40 and a Sabres logo, could possibly ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner out 6-10 weeks with high ankle sprain

BUFFALO – The news on Robin Lehner, as expected, was bad. A high ankle sprain will sideline the starting goalie six to 10 weeks, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon.

Lehner injured his right ankle almost halfway through Thursday’s season opener, his Sabres debut.

“It’s not a complete surprise to get the results and have that be the timeframe,” Bylsma said following practice.

Check back for more later on Lehner, who has been wheeling ... Read the full article