Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres could scratch Jiri Kulich: ‘Hasn’t been good enough’

BUFFALO – Through three games this season, Sabres center Jiri Kulich has compiled zero goals, zero points and a minus-4 rating.

In Tuesday’s practice, Kulich, 21, skated alongside Jordan Greenway and Mason Geertsen, a strong sign he could be benched for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

Does coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres have scored two goals during their 0-3-0 start, plan to scratch the struggling Czech?... Read the full article

Sabres lose again, in trouble after loss to Avalanche: ‘This is not acceptable’

BUFFALO – Three straight losses to open the season. Two goals scored. One team going nowhere fast.

Less than a week into the season, the Sabres are in a heap of trouble.

Right now, they’re clearly feeling the heat. Players are already agitated and at a loss to explain their first 0-3-0 start since, well, last year.

To wit: as winger Tage Thompson spoke following Monday afternoon’s 3-1 loss, he grew more frustrated as questions ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris could be out until November; Mattias Samuelsson injured

BUFFALO – The upper-body injury Sabres center Josh Norris suffered in Thursday’s season-opening loss could sideline him well into November, coach Lindy Ruff said.

While Ruff did not offer a firm time frame, he acknowledged prior to Monday afternoon’s game against the Colorado Avalanche that Elliotte Friedman’s report of eight weeks on Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast is “probably pretty close.”

Ruff said Norris, who was injured taking a faceoff late in the 4-0 loss to ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Radim Mrtka quickly impressing with Rochester Amerks

ROCHESTER – For the time being at least, Buffalo Sabres prospect Radim Mrtka is adapting to the rigors of pro hockey as a member of the Americans.

The AHL, of course, can be unforgiving for teenagers and other neophytes, especially defenseman. But after earning a long look in training camp, rather than sending Mrtka, 18, back to junior hockey, the Sabres assigned him to the Amerks.

How long could the Czech stay? Remember, Sabres general ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris will miss ‘significant amount of time’ with injury

Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters this morning in Boston that center Josh Norris will miss “a significant amount of time” after suffering an upper-body injury in Thursday’s season-opening loss to the New York Rangers.

“I don’t know what that amount is for sure,” Ruff said prior to tonight’s game against the Bruin in TD Garden.

Ruff said Norris, who was injured taking a faceoff late in the 4-0 loss, is still being evaluated.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris out injured; Zach Benson to leave hospital

BUFFALO – Fresh off the most productive summer of his career, a healthy Josh Norris seemed poised to enjoy a breakout season as the Sabres’ new No. 1 center.

The oft-injured Norris, 26, dazzled during four preseason outings, scoring three goals and an NHL-high seven points.

But just one game into the season, he’s hurt again, joining five teammates on the sideline.

What the heck is going on?

“Maybe it’s just a test for us ... Read the full article

Alexandar Georgiev part of Rochester’s roster; Sabres make recall

BUFFALO – Veteran Alexandar Georgiev, who earlier this week cleared waivers, is one four goalies on Rochester Americans’ season-opening roster.

Devon Levi, Topias Leinonen and Scott Ratzlaff are the Amerks’ other netminders.

Georgiev, 29, hasn’t played in the AHL since an 11-game stint with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2018-19. He signed a one-year, one-way contract last month.... Read the full article

Sabres shut out by Rangers in opener; Zach Benson hospitalized

BUFFALO – Don’t let the final score fool you. The Sabres’ 4-0 loss in Thursday’s season opener to the New York Rangers was closer than the score might indicate.

The Sabres trailed by one goal with less than six minutes remaining. Following a weak first period, they pumped 26 shots on Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin over the final 40 minutes.

Not that any of that mattered to the disgruntled capacity crowd of 19,070. Fans packed ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Colten Ellis standing out in Buffalo, will get chance to play

BUFFALO – By his second season toiling away in the ECHL, Sabres goalie Colten Ellis said hockey began to feel like a job.

Ellis, 25, spent most his rookie year stopping pucks in Worcester, Massachusetts, before the St. Louis Blues assigned him to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for his second season.

Almost two years into his career, he had played just six games for the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate.

He said he forgot to enjoy ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson joined Buffalo in 2018.

Tage Thompson has confidence in own talent, Sabres’ playoff chances: ‘We just expect that we’re just gonna do it’

BUFFALO – The adversity Sabres winger Tage Thompson endured on his way to becoming one of the NHL’s most dynamic threats makes each goal he scores feel a little sweeter and every win he celebrates alongside his teammates more satisfying.

At times after joining the Sabres seven years ago in a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Blues, it felt like he would never fulfill his vast potential. He sat out games as healthy scratch, ... Read the full article