WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Zach Bogosian hasn’t played in the minors since a brief stint in 2008-09. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres have suspended defenseman Zach Bogosian for failing to report to the Rochester Americans, the NHL club announced late Monday afternoon.
They assigned Bogosian, 29, to the Amerks on Saturday.
After morphing into a spare part – he was scratched 17 of the last 26 games – and often struggling during his sporadic appearances, the Sabres waived Bogosian on Friday.
“There will be no further information or comment at this time,” ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville talks to the media before Thursday’s game. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Popular former Sabres captain Jason Pominville recently told some friends he would love to help out their beer league team if they ever needed a player to fill in.
“They’re like, ‘You’re in full time!’” Pominville said prior to Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets inside KeyBank Center.
So Pominville, who scored 16 goals in 73 games for the Sabres last season, plays hockey once a week at the ... Read the full article
The Sabres acquired Michael Frolik on Jan. 2. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Even after acquiring Michael Frolik earlier this month, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill would like to add another forward before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.
The Sabres’ depth up front, of course, was weak before Vladimir Sobotka and Tage Thompson both suffered season-ending injuries in November.
Right now, Victor Olofsson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Evan Rodrigues has been a huge disappointment, scoring just two goals and often sitting out as a ... Read the full article
Marco Scandella spent two and a half seasons with the Sabres. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When the Sabres traded defenseman Marco Scandella to the Montreal Canadiens shortly before Thursday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers, it felt like another deal could be imminent.
The Sabres need help at forward. Why would they dish Scandella, 29, for or a fourth-round pick in 2020? They’re trying to win now, right?
Well, shortly after the Sabres announced the deal, they traded the pick they received from the Canadiens to the ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has been piling up points. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – If you ask Sabres captain Jack Eichel about his recent scoring exploits, he usually starts talking about his linemates or the rest of the team.
Eichel, 23, doesn’t want his success to overshadow the Sabres, so the ultra-talented center will heap praise on his wingers, Victor Olofsson and Sam Reinhart, and others.
“It’s tough to pinpoint one thing,” Eichel responded when asked how he has elevated his game over the last month. “The ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt (37) battles New Jersey’s Travis Zajac on Dec. 2. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – On Sunday, a day off for the Buffalo Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted to the Rochester Americans.
After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the minors – “It’s always an emotional conversation,” Botterill said Monday – he asked what he must to do return to the NHL.
“He ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel sees similarities between the Sabres and Bills. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Ralph Krueger normally goes to bed long before “Sunday Night Football” ends. Still, the Sabres coach stayed up late to watch the Bills’ thrilling 17-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, which clinched just their second playoff berth in 20 seasons.
“I cut into my sleep,” Krueger joked today inside KeyBank Center.
Of course, Krueger, who said he has become as a big a Bills fan as anybody, was happy he could enjoy such ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has never played in the AHL. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On Sunday, a day off for the Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted.
After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the Rochester Americans for the first time, Botterill said the youngster quickly asked what he must to do return to the NHL.
“He is a mature guy, he is ... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian was a healthy scratch Thursday. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Zach Bogosian’s demeanor said it all.
For two and a half minutes Friday, the Sabres defenseman answered questions about his uncertain future with terse replies. The normally affable veteran was expressionless.
In his 12-year NHL career, Bogosian had never experienced sitting out a game as a healthy scratch.
Then on Thursday, coach Ralph Krueger, who has eight healthy defensemen on his roster, benched Bogosian for the Sabres’ 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators.... Read the full article
Jean-Sebastien Dea played in three organizations last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Sooner or later, it felt like Jean-Sebastien Dea would receive his first recall to the Sabres.
The Sabres, having lost seven forwards this month, sorely need help. Meanwhile, recalls and the Rochester Americans’ own run of injuries whittled away their depth up front.
By last week, the AHL affiliate only had two or three healthy forwards with NHL contracts.
On Monday, the Sabres summoned Dea, who said he will play tonight against ... Read the full article