Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres lock up Jordan Greenway with two-year contract extension

Since arriving in a trade two years ago, winger Jordan Greenway has given the Buffalo Sabres a physical element they sorely need.

When he’s injured – he has missed 49 games over the past two years, including 34 this season after undergoing surgery to repair a mid-body injury – his absence is noticeable.

While he has scored just three goals this season, the 6-foot-6, 231-pound Greenway is one of the Sabres’ most valuable forwards and ... Read the full article

Sabres showcase weak effort in loss to lowly Sharks: ‘Too many passengers’

BUFFALO – As the Sabres recently found a bit of a groove, they played some games that made you wonder how the heck they fell into last place in the Eastern Conference.

They piled up goals, received strong goaltending and responded well when adversity hit.

But contests like Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the lowly San Jose Sharks, who rank dead last in the 32-team NHL, serve as a strong reminder why the Sabres dropped out ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Mattias Samuelsson plays after sitting as healthy scratch

BUFFALO – After becoming a healthy scratch and recovering from a lower-body injury, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson seemed to recapture some of his old form and solidify a regular spot.

Well, Samuelsson, 24, briefly fell out of the lineup again.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff reinserted him for Tuesday’s 6-2 setback to the San Jose Sharks after scratching him for Monday’s 4-3 overtime road loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

To create a spot, the Sabres scratched ... Read the full article

After struggling with Sabres, Nicolas Aube-Kubel finding game in Rochester

ROCHESTER – For three months, winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel moved in and out of the lineup, never finding a groove while often skating short minutes for the Buffalo Sabres.

In his first days with the Sabres, Aube-Kubel, 28, looked like he would fit nicely on their revamped fourth line, offering them some much-needed grit and speed.

The newcomer enjoyed a strong training camp and stood out early in Buffalo’s season-opening loss Oct. 4 before injuring his ... Read the full article

Upon return from Olympics, Pittsburgh fans greeted Sabres goalie and Team USA star Ryan Miller as hero

Fifteen years have passed since former Buffalo Sabres star Ryan Miller nearly backstopped Team USA to an Olympic gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

While the Americans fell short – Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby scored the iconic overtime goal for Team Canada – Miller was treated as a hero upon his return to the NHL.

This appeared in the March 3, 2010 paper after Miller rejoined the Sabres and received a rousing ovation ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jacob Bryson dazzles in return to lineup: ‘Played a fearless game’

BUFFALO – Four minutes into Saturday’s second period, Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson zoomed into the left corner in the Montreal zone and made quick work of Jake Evans, blocking his clearing attempt before outworking him for the puck.

Bryson knew a teammate had covered his position, so he skated behind the net and fed winger Alex Tuch, who beat Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes to tie the game at 1.

In his first action in 21 ... Read the full article

‘Brutal’ play late in second period costs Sabres in loss to Canadiens

BUFFALO – In the waning seconds of Saturday’s second period, with skaters at four per side following coincidental minors, the Sabres went into penalty-mode killing mode.

The Sabres looked timid as the Montreal Canadiens passed the puck around their zone, acting as if the visitors had a power play.

As the final seconds ticked down, Montreal defenseman Mike Matheson skated from the point into the right circle in front of Sabres winger Alex Tuch.

Instead ... Read the full article

With trade deadline approaching, Jason Zucker injured; Sabres to make lineup changes against Canadiens

BUFFALO – After blocking a shot last Saturday and crawling off the ice injured, Sabres winger Jason Zucker returned to the game and played again Tuesday.

Zucker, 33, seemed to be fine.

Well, not quite. The veteran will his miss his second straight game tonight with a lower-body injury.

What’s going on?

“He’s just having trouble with his injury,” coach Lindy Ruff said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens at ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi displaying dominance in Rochester after slump

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi’s ability to embrace any adversity he experiences has enhanced his development with the Americans.

Levi, 23, has enjoyed a stellar run here over parts of two seasons, winning 66 percent of his games while emerging as one of the AHL’s elite goalies.

Still, like any second-year pro, he has felt some bumps. Last month, he lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time.

In the second outing ... Read the full article

As trade deadline nears, Sabres’ Henri Jokiharju shaking off struggles

BUFFALO – In his seven-year NHL career, Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju has scored 19 goals, none prettier than Tuesday’s game winner.

As he carried the puck to the bottom of the right circle almost halfway through the third period, Jokiharju said he did not see Anaheim Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal was offering him a few inches above his left shoulder.

Jokiharju, whose Sabres play a road game tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes, said he was ... Read the full article