WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
Rasmus Asplund scored two goals Thursday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
In the waning seconds of Thursday’s overtime, Buffalo Sabres winger Rasmus Asplund looked up ice, saw Victor Olofsson had room to maneuver at the blue line and fed his best friend a stretch pass.
As Asplund skated to the right circle, Olofsson cut left into the slot, splitting two Anaheim Ducks defenders before reaching the bottom of the left circle. The dizzying moves forced goalie Anthony Stolarz to overcommit, and as Olofsson fell to the ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson has already surpassed last season’s start total. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Right away this season, Sabres coach Don Granato learned why goalie Craig Anderson has enjoyed such remarkable longevity.
“On Day One when I saw him in shape and as serious and intent as he was, that’s all I needed to see,” Granato said of the 40-year-old, who’s beginning his first season in Buffalo. “Nothing surprised me after that.”
Forget that Anderson is the NHL’s oldest goalie and third-oldest player, trailing only defenseman Zdeno Chara (44) ... Read the full article
Robert Hagg (left) and Mark Pysyk have quickly developed a friendship. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres defensemen Robert Hagg and Mark Pysyk form a no-frills tandem. The newcomers’ simplicity is perhaps their greatest strength.
“We try to move the puck up north as quick as we can and try to close plays in the D-zone as quick as we can,” Hagg said following Wednesday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “I think that’s why we’ve been successful so far.”
That style, of course, can be a tad boring. Still, it ... Read the full article
Cody Eakin has missed the last three games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Center Cody Eakin accompanied the Sabres on their four-game road trip but will likely miss tonight’s contest against the Anaheim Ducks, coach Don Granato said.
Granato expects Eakin, who suffered an upper-body injury when he crashed into the net during a practice drill last Wednesday, to play later in the trip.
Eakin, 30, has missed the last three games. Granato said Eakin will be reevaluated after tonight’s game. The Sabres also play Sunday ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller is Buffalo’s all-time wins leader. ©2021, Dan Hickling
Ryan Miller felt he owed something to Buffalo. Having arrived as a 22-year-old fresh out of Michigan State, the ex-Sabres goalie experienced a lot of firsts in the city.
“Buffalo is always going to have a big part of my heart,” an emotional Miller said on a Zoom call Thursday to announce his retirement at the conclusion of this season. “I feel like I really grew up there.”
So Miller, the Sabres’ all-time wins leader, ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller spent parts of 11 seasons in Buffalo. ©2021, Dan Hickling
Ex-Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, the franchise’s all-time wins leaders and one of most decorated American players in hockey history, will retire at the end of this season, the Anaheim Ducks announced this morning.
Miller, 40, is in his fourth season with the Ducks and 18th in the NHL.
“It was a dream come true when I played my first NHL game and it has been a privilege to spend 18 years as a ... Read the full article
Jonas Johansson rebounded after a slow start. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After the Anaheim Ducks scored their third goal early Sunday afternoon, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said he considered yanking goalie Jonas Johansson.
Could you blame him?
Johansson, 24, struggled mightily for the opening 12 minutes of his second NHL start, allowing three goals on four shots after stopping the first two he faced.
The Swede looked a bit off and uncomfortable in the crease. He knew the hook might be coming.
“It ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller spent 11 seasons with the Sabres. ©2020, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – On Thursday, the Sabres will celebrate “2000s Night,” bringing back Daniel Briere, Brian Campbell and some other key figures from their wildly successful 2005-06 and 2006-07 teams that reached the Eastern Conference final.
Ryan Miller, the star goalie those seasons, can’t make it. As the only active NHL player left from those popular clubs, he will be in Anaheim for the Ducks’ game against the Calgary Flames.
“I’m actually going to ... Read the full article
Andrew Hammond has played 27 games with Rochester. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Center Marcus Johansson (sick) and goalie Carter Hutton (family circumstances) will not play this afternoon, the Sabres have announced.
Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said rookie goalie Jonas Johansson will start this afternoon against the Anaheim Ducks at KeyBank Center.
To replace Hutton, the Sabres have recalled goalie Andrew Hammond from the Rochester Americans. Krueger said the Sabres will dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards.... Read the full article
Lawrence Pilut played for Rochester on Saturday. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Defenseman Lawrence Pilut’s latest stay with the Rochester Americans lasted one day.
The Sabres, who host the Anaheim Ducks this afternoon at KeyBank Center, recalled Pilut this morning.
Following his assignment to the Amerks early Saturday, Pilut, 24, played in their 4-0 road loss to the Toronto Marlies in the afternoon.... Read the full article