WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
February Edition
Jiri Kulich (left) and Isak Rosen recently left Rochester to play in the World Junior Championship. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Before Buffalo Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen left Rochester to join their respective countries at the World Junior Championship, Americans coach Seth Appert challenged the youngsters to rely on more than their skill during the tournament.
He said the AHL rookies have evolved over the past three months, displaying a willingness to play on the inside and attack the net. Without the puck, they’ve learned how to forecheck and about the physicality needed ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has earned two consecutive wins. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen needed time to adjust. In his first outings after the Sabres recalled him, the goalie occasionally looked a little wonky.
The Finn wasn’t much of a difference-maker.
Luukkonen, 23, had played just 13 NHL games, the last coming more than 10 months earlier, before Eric Comrie’s lower-body injury thrust into the starting role in late November. Having been labeled as the Sabres’ goalie of the future, when he’s summoned to Buffalo, ... Read the full article
Eric Comrie was injured on Nov. 16. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin checked Senators forward Mathieu Joseph into Eric Comrie five weeks ago, the goalie said he felt “a little bit of a pop in my knee.”
“It didn’t feel very good,” Comrie said following Wednesday’s practice, his second full session since getting injured midway through the Sabres’ 4-1 loss Nov. 16 in Ottawa.
Right away, Comrie, 27, knew something wasn’t right. Still, he tried to gut out the ... Read the full article
Tyson Jost as played four games for Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The struggles and other experiences Sabres center Tyson Jost has endured since entering the NHL as a teenager have helped him develop a unique perspective.
Jost has already played 358 NHL games, the fourth-highest total among Sabres skaters. Having been drafted 10th overall in 2016, the Colorado Avalanche initially cast him in a scoring role. When that didn’t work out, he fell down the lineup and was traded last season.
He lasted only ... Read the full article
Don Granato instructs the Sabres during Monday’s practice. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams constructed a roster filled with rookies and other neophytes in their early 20s knowing the Sabres would experience ups and downs. Still, the general manager never expected this: an eight-game losing streak following a torrid start.
Three weeks ago, it felt like the Sabres, the NHL’s youngest team, had established themselves as a legitimate playoff contender in the crowded Eastern Conference.
They throttled the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Nov. 2, improving ... Read the full article
Tyson Jost joined Buffalo on Saturday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Tyson Jost couldn’t watch. The Sabres newcomer had spent almost six years in Colorado, growing from a teenage prospect and 10th overall pick into one of the Avalanche’s regular forwards.
As his old team roared to a Stanley Cup championship last season, Jost, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild on March 15, shut his television off.
“It was tough, it was hard,” said Jost, who was claimed off waivers by the Sabres ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons has missed one game. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson will likely return from injuries for Tuesday’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens.
Both players practiced today at KeyBank Center.
Girgensons, 28, endured a hit to the head Wednesday and missed Saturday’s 5-2 road loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“It was unfortunate hit,” Girgensons said of the check in Wednesday’s 4-1 road loss to the Ottawa Senators. “I finished the second and then just ... Read the full article
Tyson Jost spent parts of six seasons in Colorado. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon added forward depth, claiming center Tyson Jost off waivers from the Minnesota Wild.
The Sabres, having recently lost captain Kyle Okposo (lower body) and winger Zemgus Girgensons (undisclosed) to injuries, are missing two of their regular forwards.
Jost, 24, might be utilized down the lineup. Veterans Anders Bjork, who this afternoon was sent to the Rochester Americans, and Riley Sheahan have been skating fourth line during the past ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen enjoyed a strong training camp in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – Earlier this year, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen reached a crossroads in his career. The Sabres, having Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie entrenched in Buffalo, decided the Finnish prospect would begin his fourth pro season in the minors.
If Luukkonen, 23, embraced another stint in the AHL, he could buoy his development. If he pouted, well, who knows what might happen?
Right away, he decided he would use his time with the Rochester Americans to ... Read the full article
Eric Comrie was injured Wednesday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said there’s an outside chance defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who has missed the last 12 games recovering from a lower-body injury, could return for Saturday’s road game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Samuelsson, 22, practiced today beside Henri Jokiharju at KeyBank Center, his first full session since getting injured Oct. 22. He started skating with his teammates again Tuesday.
The Sabres said on Tuesday they expected Samuelsson to play ... Read the full article
