Baptiste - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres waive Taylor Fedun; Nick Baptiste recalled

BUFFALO – With defenseman Cody Franson returning from a foot injury, the Sabres waived Taylor Fedun prior to this afternoon’s tilt against the St. Louis Blues at KeyBank Center.

Now, will Fedun, 28, get through waivers to the AHL, or will a team looking for depth add the Princeton product? Fedun makes only $600,000 on his one-year contract and is a right-handed shot.

Fedun meshed well with the Sabres, producing seven assists in 25 games. ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie William Carrier skating with top talents

BUFFALO – When William Carrier earns ice time flanking center Ryan O’Reilly and a top winger, the Sabres rookie has a straightforward assignment to help his talented linemates.

“He’s just going, head down, bruising the way for those guys to get pucks and play with that puck,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said.

That means goals haven’t been priority for the 6-foot-2, 212-pound Carrier, who has scored just once in his first 17 NHL games.

“That’s ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Cal O’Reilly’s hot start with Amerks rewarded

BUFFALO – Some heads turned when the Sabres awarded center Cal O’Reilly, a talented minor leaguer almost four years removed from his last NHL game, a two-year, $1.4 million contract in 2015.

But O’Reilly, the AHL’s leading scorer, has morphed into a valuable asset for the organization, captaining the Rochester Americans and providing depth for the Sabres.

O’Reilly, 30, proved that Saturday just hours after earning a recall, scoring the shootout winner in the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges takes pride in facing opposition’s best

BUFFALO – About 20 times tonight, Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges will jump over the boards to take on arguably the toughest task in hockey, trying to stop Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby.

Gorges will probably spend around 20 minutes defending Crosby and his linemates, a stiff challenge the 12-year veteran embraces.

To Gorges, the dynamic Crosby is the NHL’s best player, someone to measure yourself against.

“He just does things no one else can do,” ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly still sidelined

BUFFALO – A couple of quick updates from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres practiced this morning after Thursday’s 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay:

– Top center Ryan O’Reilly, out of the last three games with a mid-body injury, didn’t practice today or even skate on his own, coach Dan Bylsma said. O’Reilly is day-to-day but is doubtful for Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh.

– Bylsma said the lower-back injury defenseman Dmitry Kulikov suffered late in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dmitry Kulikov out against Blues

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from HarborCenter, where the Sabres practiced about an hour this morning before flying to St. Louis:

– The Sabres plan to recall some players before Tuesday’s road tilt against the Blues. Only 17 players – 10 forwards, five defensemen and two goalies – practiced today.

They need a defenseman and at least one forward. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (undisclosed injury) missed today’s practice and will miss his third straight game Tuesday, ... Read the full article

Sabres send 3 to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent wingers Nick Baptiste and Cole Schneider and defenseman Justin Falk back to the AHL today.

Hours after playing in the Sabres’ 4-2 road loss Saturday in New Jersey, all three skated in the Rochester Americans’ 3-2 road win against the Springfield Thunderbirds this afternoon.

Baptiste scored two goals, upping his AHL season total to five goals and seven points in six games.

The Sabres, who have been dealing with injuries ... Read the full article

Sabres lose shootout to Senators

BUFFALO – In the modern NHL, contests like the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators – low-scoring, drab affairs – are all too common.

An abundance of speed and slick talent in the game hasn’t translated into more entertainment or goals. Instead, teams executive rigid systems, playing it conservative.

Wednesday’s snoozer before 17,884 fans inside KeyBank Center was a prime example.

“I don’t think either team gives a lot of room out there, ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Nick Baptiste feels support in Ottawa

OTTAWA – As a native of nearby Barrhaven, about a 10-minute drive from the Canadian Tire Centre, Buffalo Sabres rookie Nick Baptiste had quite the cheering section for his sixth NHL game.

“There’s going to be a lot of people here tonight – a lot of family, friends, teachers, people in the area,” Baptiste said prior to Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win against the Senators, his first NHL appearance here. “My brother’s whole hockey team is ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Nick Baptiste ready for hometown debut

OTTAWA – As a native of nearby Barrhaven, about a 10-minute drive from the Canadian Tire Centre, Buffalo Sabres rookie Nick Baptiste will have quite the cheering section tonight for his sixth NHL game.

“There’s going to be a lot of people here tonight – a lot of family, friends, teachers, people in the area,” Baptiste said after the Sabres’ optional morning skate. “My brother’s whole hockey team is coming. There’s going to be quite ... Read the full article