Bryson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After trade, scratch, Sabres newcomer Logan Stanley settling in on defense

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley knows it sounds a bit odd. After all, he fell out of the lineup after playing 14 straight games following his arrival from the Winnipeg Jets before the trade deadline.

But sitting out Wednesday’s 5-3 road win over the New York Rangers as a healthy scratch infused him with some much-needed confidence.

After being given a chance to reset, Stanley responded by enjoying his best outing with the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres trade tracker: Buffalo acquires two defensemen, forward

BUFFALO – As the 3 p.m. trade deadline approaches, here’s what the Sabres have done:

So far, they’ve made two deals, acquiring defensemen Luke Schenn, 36, and Logan Stanley, 27, from the Winnipeg Jets and center Sam Carrick, 34, from the New York Rangers.

“All three of them bring us hardness, make us a tougher team to play against,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said following this afternoon’s practice in KeyBank Center. “In Carrick’s case, a ... Read the full article

Sabres beat Penguins to move into first place; Buffalo makes trades

PITTSBURGH – Thirty-eight seconds into Thursday’s second period, as Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and Evgeni Malkin began battling at the net and cross-checking each other, the Penguins star slashed his opponent on the neck.

Malkin’s ill-advised decision ended his night – he earned a match penalty and could have a suspension coming – and ignited the Sabres in a game that was tied at 1.

“After that we got it going pretty good,” coach ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Josh Norris healthy and thriving one year after trade

PITTSBURGH – One year and just 27 games later, Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris is happy, healthy and geared up to potentially experience the postseason for the first time in his six-year NHL career.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time (in Buffalo),” Norris said prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights at KeyBank Center. “The locker room is unbelievable, and it’s honestly so much fun coming to the rink every day.”

Still, his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson enjoyed time alongside Jack Eichel at Olympics: ‘Going full circle’

BUFFALO – During their brief time together here, Sabres center Tage Thompson said he looked up to Jack Eichel.

Thompson, 28, is just a year younger than Eichel, who’s now starring for the Vegas Golden Knights. Still, in 2018-19, their only full season as teammates, Eichel was a budding superstar and the face of the franchise. Thompson, meanwhile, was a neophyte simply trying to stick in the NHL.

As a developing power forward, Thompson said ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson (72) battles with Pittsburgh’s Kevin Hayes on Thursday.

Sabres look sloppy in loss to Penguins; Buffalo makes roster moves

BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ final outing before the Milano Cortina Games, center Tage Thompson showcased why he earned a coveted spot on Team USA’s stacked Olympic squad.

Thompson was often the best player on the ice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring his 30th goal and narrowly missing a few more prime chances.

The American certainly outplayed the Penguins’ two biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

On most nights, that ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris, Jacob Bryson skate with team; Buffalo might change lineup

BUFFALO – Right now, there’s no firm timeline for Josh Norris to return to the lineup. The oft-injured center participated in this morning’s pregame skate and plans to practice Sunday before the Sabres begin their two-game Florida road trip.

“Just keep evaluating and see where we’re at,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center.

Ruff said Norris is day to day.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Metsa feeling more comfortable in NHL; Michael Kesselring happy to record first point

TORONTO – Zach Metsa’s first tour around the NHL has given him a special opportunity to visit come of hockey’s most hallowed rinks and soak in each unique experience.

“I’ve been fired up for it,” the Buffalo Sabres rookie told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s game against the Maple Leafs. “I’m lucky.”

Metsa, 27, made his big league debut in Montreal’s Bell Centre and earlier this month played his first game at New York’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris, Jacob Bryson day to day with injuries

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris, who has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury, is now day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Josh is better,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter. “In the training room there today and progressing.”

Ruff said the oft-injured Norris, who has played just 19 games this season, likely won’t return this week.... Read the full article

Sabres trade prospect to Hurricanes in exchange for Gavin Bayreuther

Jarmo Kekalainen on Saturday added defense depth in his first trade as Buffalo Sabres general manager, acquiring Gavin Bayreuther from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward prospect Viktor Neuchev.

Bayreuther, 31, has been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

Having lost Jacob Bryson to an upper-body injury in Thursday’s 4-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens, the Sabres needed another left-shot defenseman in the organization.... Read the full article