Benson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich to miss ‘significant time’ with blood clot issue

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich will miss “significant time” because of a blood clot issue, coach Lindy Ruff said, the latest blow for a team decimated by injuries and illness.

“I’m not going to go any further into details, but pretty serious,” Ruff said following Monday’s morning’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.

Kulich, 21, has missed the last three games. The clot was discovered when he underwent additional testing after fluid built up in his ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin taking temporary leave of absence from Sabres

BUFFALO – Captain Rasmus Dahlin is taking a temporary leave of absence from the Sabres to deal with a personal matter in Sweden, coach Lindy Ruff said Friday.

In September, Dahlin revealed his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, was rehabbing in Sweden after experiencing major heart failure and undergoing a heart transplant in the summer.

Matovac, who underwent life-saving CPR and spent weeks on life support before the transplant, is doing well.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson confident after ‘dark days;’ Zach Benson sidelined

BUFFALO – In the most trying season of his career, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson experienced what he called some “dark days.”

When he wasn’t injured, at times, he performed so poorly coach Lindy Ruff scratched him. In January, he was on the ice when the Sabres let New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen get away with hitting winger Tage Thompson in the head and concussing him.

The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Samuelsson bore the brunt of the ... Read the full article

With Jiri Kulich and Jason Zucker sick, Sabres could make roster moves

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said forwards Jiri Kulich and Jason Zucker are doubtful for Tuesday’s home game against the Utah Mammoth because of illness.

Both players missed today’s practice.

Kulich played one shift in the third period of Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win over the Washington Capitals.... Read the full article

With Zach Benson injured, Isak Rosen earns another chance with Sabres

BUFFALO – After the Sabres assigned wing prospect Isak Rosen to the Rochester Americans, he immediately began a three-week offensive tear, scoring two times opening night and registering five goals and 12 points in his first eight outings.

Fresh off a disappointing training camp with the Sabres, the Swede, 22, quickly established himself as one of the AHL’s elite scorers early in his fourth season.

When winger Zach Benson suffered a lower-body injury – coach ... Read the full article

Sabres recall forward prospect from Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday recalled winger Isak Rosen, whose 12 points were tied for the AHL lead entering the night’s schedule, from the Rochester Americans.

Rosen’s five goals were tied for second in the league.

Following an underwhelming training camp in Buffalo, the prospect scored two goals for the Amerks opening night and hasn’t let up. So far, he has gone pointless just once in eight games.... Read the full article

Sabres defeat Panthers with complete, heavy effort: ‘A lot of passion’

BUFFALO – Well, a lot can change in three days, huh? The Sabres, a laughingstock earlier in the week thanks to their dreadful 0-3-0 start, suddenly look like a contender in the crowded Eastern Conference.

To wit: fresh off a four-goal victory, the Sabres showcased a complete and heavy effort throughout Saturday’s emotional 3-0 triumph over the Florida Panthers, setting an aggressive tone all afternoon and also standing up for themselves physically.

Goalie Alex Lyon, ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back to beat Senators, earn first win: ‘Building came to life’

BUFFALO – The four-goal second period that buoyed the Sabres to Wednesday’s much-needed 8-4 come-from-behind win can be traced to, of all things, winger Alex Tuch’s penalty.

With the Sabres trailing 2-1 at the 5:48 mark and down a man, Tuch was whistled for a slashing call he found, at the time, a little weak.

Tuch, who rarely barks at officials, emphatically pleaded his case.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan McLeod, other forwards struggling early; Alexandar Georgiev practices with Rochester

BUFFALO – Jiri Kulich, the Sabres’ second-youngest forward, got singled out a bit by practicing as an extra before Wednesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

But make no mistake, nearly every Sabres forward struggled during their dreary 0-3-0 start they carried into their contest against the Ottawa Senators.

“This isn’t about Kulich,” coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres began the night with just two goals all season, said Wednesday morning in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

After brief hospitalization, Sabres’ Zach Benson ready to play; UPL, Jordan Greenway also return practice

BUFFALO – In the short term, only one of the three injured players who returned to practice Tuesday, winger Zach Benson, can help the reeling Sabres.

Coach Lindy Ruff said he expects Benson, who was hospitalized last week after a puck cut his face in practice, to play tonight against the Ottawa Senators in KeyBank Center.

Sporting a full “fishbowl” shield to cover his black eye and cut, Benson took reps on Tuesday alongside ... Read the full article