WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Cody Franson (46) sat out today. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The numbers lie. In five games this season, Sabres goalie Chad Johnson has accumulated some below-average statistics – 1-4 with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage – subbing for injured starter Robin Lehner.
Still, Johnson, 29, has given the 1-4 Sabres “a chance to win every game he’s played,” coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon.
“I don’t know if you can ask for much more from him,” Bylsma said following ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen has been playing big minutes. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Just a week ago, it appeared the Sabres would be forced to utilize a blue line by committee early on. Without a proven No. 1 defenseman to gobble up minutes, coach Dan Bylsma had to spread the ice time out evenly, right?
Well, just three games into the season, Rasmus Ristolainen, 20, has quickly emerged as the club’s ace defenseman.
“(He’s) playing in all situations for us, playing against other teams’ best ... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian was injured early in training camp. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Some quick updates from HarborCenter, where the Sabres practiced about an hour before catching a flight for their two-game Florida road trip:
– Captain Brian Gionta, out the first three games with a lower-body injury, skated this morning beside center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane. He’s questionable for Thursday’s tilt against the Florida Panthers.
Gionta practiced Sunday but sat out the Sabres’ 4-2 win Monday afternoon.
“It’s one of those things, if you’re ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner was injured Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The news on Robin Lehner, as expected, was bad. A high ankle sprain will sideline the starting goalie six to 10 weeks, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon.
Lehner injured his right ankle almost halfway through Thursday’s season opener, his Sabres debut.
“It’s not a complete surprise to get the results and have that be the timeframe,” Bylsma said following practice.
Check back for more later on Lehner, who has been wheeling ... Read the full article
Carlo Colaiacovo wants the Sabres to trust every defender. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With zero stars, minute-munchers or big scorers on their blue line right now, the Sabres plan to utilize a defense by committee early this season.
So expect to see ice time spread out evenly. Trying to distinguish between the first and third pairs might be tough.
“We’re going to rely on all six guys,” defenseman Josh Gorges said Thursday prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. “Some nights you’re going ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel prefers to talk about the team instead of himself. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Rookie Jack Eichel felt the anticipation building for his NHL debut long before the Sabres drafted him second overall 104 days ago. The center knows the excited Buffalo fans see him as the future of the franchise.
But to Eichel, 18, the new chapter the revamped Sabres will begin tonight against the Ottawa Senators, the so-called “Eichel Era,” is about much more than one player.
“We have a pretty young team,” Eichel said ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel will switch to No. 15 on Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – At some point in the next day or so, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma will grab center Jack Eichel for a moment and tell the rookie he has made the opening-night roster.
Not exactly surprising news, right?
“It won’t be a 15-minute meeting,” Bylsma joked this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.
But until Eichel, 18, officially hears the news from Bylsma, he’s operating like he must earn his spot. He still sported ... Read the full article
Josh Gorges was hurt in his preseason debut. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Josh Gorges almost revealed what had sidelined him for a week of training camp.
Almost.
“Just a quick cleanup in my,” the Sabres defenseman said this morning before pausing briefly, “lower body.”
Yes, Gorges, who underwent microfracture surgery in February, has already undergone a minor procedure this season. He said he was injured nine days ago going into the corner against the Ottawa Senators.
While Gorges skated this morning and feels good, he ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel zooms by Toronto’s Connor Brown on Tuesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In three NHL exhibition appearances, Sabres center Jack Eichel has generated two goals, five points and more excitement than any NHL rookie, even Connor McDavid, his counterpart in Edmonton.
To wit: Eichel, in his home preseason debut Tuesday, scored again in Sabres’ 4-0 shellacking of the Toronto Maple Leafs, his second short-handed breakaway goal.
The 18-year-old Eichel hit full speed in two strides leaving the Buffalo zone and quickly roared by Connor Brown ... Read the full article
Brendan Guhle will play his fourth preseason game tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Brendan Guhle is no longer the impressive rookie getting a long look before going back to junior. Suddenly, the Sabres defense prospect, the 51st overall pick in June, has a real chance to be on the opening-night roster in nine days.
“Definitely there’s an opportunity,” said Guhle, who will play his fourth preseason game tonight. “There’s some injuries now, whatnot. I’m not looking too far ahead of myself.”
Four notable defensemen – ... Read the full article