Adams - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Dustin Tokarski has lingering issues coming off COVID-19

BUFFALO – Earlier this month, Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski entered COVID-19 protocol before a road game in Florida, so he spent his time quarantining in the Sunshine State.

“It wasn’t ideal since I couldn’t go and enjoy the ocean and the beaches,” Tokarski joked after rejoining his teammates for Monday’s practice inside KeyBank Center.

Tokarski, 32, said he has no idea how he caught the virus. He went from expecting to start Dec. 3 against ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams impressed by Owen Power’s hat trick

BUFFALO – Having represented Team USA at the World Junior Championship 28 years ago, general manager Kevyn Adams understands what a special experience the tournament can be for a youngster like Sabres prospect Owen Power.

A year ago, Michigan refused to release Power to participate in Team Canada’s selection camp. If he made the squad, he would’ve been away from school about 50 days.

That was too long for the university.

So this year’s ... Read the full article

Sabres practice without six after zero added to COVID-19 protocol

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres practiced this morning for the first time in eight days following a Christmas/COVID-19 break:

– The Sabres today had zero players added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. With coach Don Granato and five players having tested positive for the virus, assistant coach Matt Ellis led a session with 16 skaters and three goalie.

If Granato can’t coach Wednesday’s scheduled home game against the New ... Read the full article

Sabres facing COVID-19 issues as Don Granato, players enter NHL protocol

On Sunday, following a six-day pause, the Buffalo Sabres planned to reconvene and practice. Still, given how COVID-19 has been decimating NHL teams, it felt like their return to the ice could be delayed.

Sure enough, barely two hours before their scheduled 3 p.m. session, the Sabres canceled it. About 90 minutes later, they announced coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski have entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol.

Right now, all three ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Don Granato, two players enter NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski this afternoon entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. Right now, all three are asymptomatic, according to the team.

The Sabres now have one coach and five players in protocol. Wingers Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner were added last week.

The team this afternoon canceled a practice scheduled for 3 p.m.

Following a four-day Christmas/COVID-19 break, NHL teams can reconvene today for testing, ... Read the full article

GM Kevyn Adams addresses Sabres’ COVID-19 problems

After having three games postponed and one player enter the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, the Sabres wanted to practice one final time before beginning a four-day break.

“Really get the guys going before we lead into the break,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday.

Adams said doctors approved the plan. If the Sabres didn’t have any additional positive cases, they would skate Tuesday morning at LECOM Harborcenter.

But on Tuesday, two ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson receives ‘good news’ after undergoing MRI

General manager Kevyn Adams said center Tage Thompson, the Buffalo Sabres’ leading goal scorer this season, received “good news” after undergoing an MRI.

“Which we were thankful to hear,” Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday.

Thompson, 24, missed Sunday’s practice with what Sabres coach Don Granato called “soreness.”

If Monday’s contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets hadn’t been postponed because of COVID-19 concerns, Adams said Thompson would’ve been a game-time decision. The Sabres’ ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Craig Anderson starting ‘to turn a corner’ in recovery from injury

Over the last six games, the Buffalo Sabres have received terrific goaltending, with rookie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and newcomer Malcolm Subban filling the void created by veteran Craig Anderson’s absence.

Still, the Sabres sorely need Anderson, who compiled a 4-2-0 record with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage while starting six of the first nine games this season.

The American, 40, hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury Nov. 2. On the ... Read the full article

Sabres add two players to COVID-19 protocol

The Buffalo Sabres this morning added wingers Zemgus Girgensons and Jeff Skinner to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

They now have three players – winger Vinnie Hinostroza was added Monday – in protocol.

The Sabres canceled today’s practice and aren’t scheduled to gather again until Sunday afternoon, when the COVID pause the NHL announced late Monday ends. The pause takes effect Wednesday.... Read the full article

COVID-19 impacting Sabres; Vinnie Hinostroza placed in protocol

As COVID-19 began tearing through the NHL again earlier this month, the Buffalo Sabres remained relatively unscathed, placing just one player in protocol while continuing their schedule uninterrupted.

But as positive tests skyrocketed throughout the league, game postponements piled up. Team after team was forced to pause its season.

Sooner or later, it felt like the Sabres would be impacted. Sure enough, all three of their games scheduled for this week have been shelved.

Late ... Read the full article