Bryson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Why did Sabres assign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Amerks?

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato wants goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to develop a rhythm with the Rochester Americans.

Starting Friday, the Amerks play six games over an 11-day stretch. Luukkonen will play the bulk of the contests, giving him an opportunity to find a groove again.

Luukkonen, 22, hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury Jan. 11 with the Sabres. After he was cleared to play Wednesday, they sent him back to the AHL.... Read the full article

Halfway through season, Sabres feel progress, excited about future

BUFFALO – When Don Granato took over the Sabres on interim basis 10 months ago, he said he treated the job like it would be his in the future.

So in his first days, Granato thrust some young players who had been getting scratched or skating short minutes down the lineup – centers Casey Mittelstadt and Tage Thompson, for example – into prominent roles.

Granato, of course, knew the Sabres would be trading or losing ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn to miss at least four weeks with lower-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jack Quinn, who suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, will be sidelined at least four weeks, coach Don Granato said.

“The injury he has, there’s a window between week four and six that you can really get a gauge where he’s at,” Granato said prior to this afternoon’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center. “It looks like it’s going to be at ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn suffers lower-body injury; Craig Anderson practices

BUFFALO – If Jack Quinn hadn’t suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, he likely would’ve kept playing for the Sabres in the coming weeks.

The Sabres, of course, won’t simply award their prospects a spot. But given their rash of injuries and that Quinn, 20, had performed so well – he scored his first NHL goal and assisted on another Thursday – he almost certainly would’ve earned a long ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Casey Mittelstadt close to playing; Buffalo has long injury list

BUFFALO – Casey Mittelstadt has never experienced anything like this season. The Sabres center, normally a durable presence, has played just four times, missing 36 total games while recovering from two upper-body injuries.

After going down opening night, he sat out 21 straight games. Then in his third contest back, he sustained another injury in the same area and has been sidelined the last 15 games.

Now, Mittelstadt, who underwent surgery Dec. 10, is close ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt nears return; Kyle Okposo sidelined week to week

BUFFALO – Center Casey Mittelstadt, who underwent surgery Dec. 10 to repair an upper-body injury, skated with the Sabres this morning and could play Saturday afternoon or Tuesday, coach Don Granato said.

“Big thing is to get him integrated in practice, see where he’s at,” Granato said following Mittelstadt’s first skate with the team getting hurt Dec. 7.

Mittelstadt, 23, has endured a frustrating season, playing just four games. After suffering an upper-body injury opening ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Mattias Samuelsson looks impressive in season debut for Buffalo

It was one of those so-called little plays that was really huge. In the second period of Monday afternoon’s 3-2 overtime loss, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson tied up Lucas Raymond near the net.

While the Detroit Red Wings forward managed to shoot the puck, Samuelsson stymied him enough to nullify what would’ve been a terrific scoring chance.

“I feel like that’s always been my style,” said Samuelsson, who was recalled Monday morning. “I’m not ... Read the full article

Defense injuries force Sabres to make moves, recall Mattias Samuelsson

The Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled Mattias Samuelsson from the Rochester Americans and the defenseman will play this afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings.

Sabres coach Don Granato said defenseman Colin Miller has been dealing with a nagging injury and placed on injured reserve.

Samuelsson, 21, played his first 12 NHL games late last season. He was expected to contend for a roster spot during training camp this year, but he suffered a lower-body ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs thrilled be back: ‘Just getting my stride up here’

BUFFALO – In his last outing Jan. 1, Sabres center Peyton Krebs showcased some of his best talents, creating a goal by adroitly feeding winger Alex Tuch a no-look backhand pass.

Three games into his recall, Krebs, 20, seemed to be finding a groove. Then on Jan. 4, he tested positive for COVID-19.

“I’m just getting my stride up here and starting to feel good, I want to keep things rolling and show them what ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Jacob Bryson to injury as Peyton Krebs returns to lineup

BUFFALO – Throughout what he called “a long 10 days” in COVID-19 quarantine, Peyton Krebs said he felt great. Still, the Sabres center couldn’t test out of the NHL’s protocol.

“It was frustrating, but I’m here now so it’s good to be back,” Krebs said following this morning’s practice, his first since entering protocol Jan. 4.

Krebs, who started skating again Friday, will return for Monday afternoon’s game against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank ... Read the full article