Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Goaltending one of Sabres’ few constants at one-quarter mark

BUFFALO – It’s easy to forget now, with Robin Lehner and Anders Nilsson tending some of the NHL’s best goal, but six weeks ago, the Swedes were two of the Sabres’ biggest question marks.

Lehner, 25, was coming off a season in which a high ankle sprain dogged him and limited his action. Meanwhile, Nilsson, 26, had enjoyed little sustained success as a backup goalie for three other teams.

Right now, they’re quietly one of ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel takes another step toward return

BUFFALO – For the first time since sustaining a high left ankle sprain Oct. 12, Sabres center Jack Eichel practiced with contact today.

“There was some contact, so to speak,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. “He was bouncing in and out of guys. I think, yeah, it’s another step.”

It’s another step toward Eichel’s return. Eichel joined his teammates on the ice prior to Wednesday’s 2-1 shootout loss to Detroit, his first team skate in ... Read the full article

Sabres lose to Red Wings in shootout, miss chance to reach .500

BUFFALO – Coach Dan Bylsma heard the words – his Sabres had just missed a chance to hit .500 – and banged the podium out of frustration before a reporter could finish his question.

In a season full of close losses, Wednesday’s 2-1 shootout setback to the Detroit Red Wings might’ve hurt the most. The Sabres couldn’t convert several prime scoring chances throughout the night, including a few in overtime.

The 7-8-5 Sabres, a team ... Read the full article

Former Sabres Steve Ott, Thomas Vanek happy with Red Wings

BUFFALO – Barely three years ago, Steve Ott and Thomas Vanek co-captained the Sabres through one of the roughest months in franchise history, October 2013, before leaving town.

Vanek, who detested the team’s rebuild, went first, getting dished to the New York Islanders just weeks into the season. The Sabres traded Ott, who wanted to stay, to the St. Louis Blues months later.

These days, they’re two newcomers charged with helping the Detroit ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel skates, has return date in mind

BUFFALO – A week ago, Sabres center Jack Eichel said he circled a date on his calendar he would like to return from the high left ankle sprain that has sidelined him six weeks.

“But that’s pretty fragile and can change pretty quickly,” Eichel told a throng of reporters after skating with his teammates this morning, his first session since injuring his ankle Oct. 12, the day before the season opener.

Eichel, of course, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Johan Larsson, aka ‘Grumpy Larry,’ frustrating opponents

BUFFALO – The scouting report on Johan Larsson, the tenacious center Sabres coach Dan Bylsma often charges with shadowing the opposition’s top forwards, is short and straightforward.

“He’s grumpy, miserable, hard guy to play against,” Bylsma said Tuesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center.

Wait, the quiet Larsson, an affable, well-liked teammate known as “Larry,” is grumpy? How often does that word appear in scouting ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dan Bylsma not worried about Rasmus Ristolainen’s offense

BUFFALO – Twelve Sabres, including six defensemen, have zero goals this season, so Rasmus Ristolainen is hardly alone in his offensive struggles.

Still, Ristolainen, 22, scored nine goals and 41 points last season, a breakout campaign that helped him earn a six-year, $32.4 million contract.

As the Sabres’ top defenseman, the Finn is expected to score goals. Right now, he has nine assists and 39 shots is 19 games.

Is Sabres coach Dan Bylsma concerned ... Read the full article

Rare goal outburst helps Sabres douse Flames

BUFFALO – For almost 30 minutes Monday, the Sabres’ 4-2 win against the Calgary Flames looked like almost every other home game this trying season.

The Sabres, having scored two or fewer goals in 10 straight games, showed why they have the NHL’s worst offense. The crowd of 17,526 fans inside KeyBank Center, meanwhile, barely made a peep.

To that point, the biggest roar of the night was reserved for Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta excited for off-ice job with Sabres, not retired yet

BUFFALO – For the last “crazy” little while, Patrick Kaleta said, when fans spot him around town, they greet the former Sabres agitator with the same questions.

“People see me, they say, ‘What are you doing here? Your team is practicing. Your team is playing,’” Kaleta told the Times Herald on Monday.

The affable Kaleta, who played 348 games with the Sabres, said he smiles and tells them he has a new job with ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly out against Flames; Goalie Robin Lehner to start

BUFFALO – If the Sabres were participating in the playoffs right now, then, yes, Ryan O’Reilly would be playing. But the center wants to be smart handling his recovery from an oblique injury.

That means O’Reilly, who skated with his teammates this morning, will miss his fifth straight game tonight against the Calgary Flames.

“If it was the playoffs, it would be a different situation,” a sweaty O’Reilly said this morning after leaving the KeyBank ... Read the full article