WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Don Granato coached his first game Thursday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Instead of having a day or two of practice and preparation prior to his first game as interim Sabres coach, Don Granato had one meeting just two hours before the opening faceoff.
On Thursday, a day after the Sabres fired coach Ralph Krueger and named Granato, 53, his interim replacement, a member of their hockey staff entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The Sabres, who had Wednesday off, canceled their morning skate and stayed ... Read the full article
Henri Jokiharju has had two stints on the taxi squad this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres recalled defenseman Henri Jokiharju, who had sat out five out the last six games, from the taxi squad prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 road loss to the New Jersey Devils.
The Sabres also summoned defenseman Brandon Davidson from the taxi squad and sent rookie defenseman Jacob Bryson and center Rasmus Asplund back to the practice group.
Jokiharju, 21, established himself as one of the Sabres’ steadiest defensemen last season while playing all ... Read the full article
Jacob Bryson has quickly become one of Buffalo’s standouts. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the second period of Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout loss, Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson grabbed the puck along the left wall, skated behind his net and adroitly fed winger Victor Olofsson an outlet pass from the right circle.
A few seconds later, Bryson swooped into the Philadelphia Flyers zone, grabbed center Eric Staal’s pass high in the slot and backhanded the puck to Olofsson as he charged to the net.
While Olofsson did not ... Read the full article
Ralph Krueger’s team has fallen to the bottom of the NHL. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Sabres’ sixth consecutive loss started well enough. Rookie defenseman Jacob Bryson scored his first NHL goal 33 seconds into the game, giving Buffalo a rare lead it would hold the remainder of the period.
But given the Sabres’ recent futility and fragileness, it felt like they would implode following any misstep against the New York Islanders. Sure enough, after Mathew Barzal’s between-the-legs goal tied the game 3:51 into the second period, they fell apart.... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens sat out Sunday afternoon’s 3-0 loss to Philadelphia. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Sabres have performed downright awful in Buffalo this season, compiling a wretched 2-7-2 record that ranks 29th in the NHL.
On the road, however, they have often looked like a different team, showcasing a calmer style while scoring more goals. They’re 4-3-1 away from KeyBank Center.
“The bubble lifestyle on the road actually is easier than the bubble we’re attempting to live in at home,” said coach Ralph Krueger, whose Sabres begin a five-game ... Read the full article
Jonas Johansson made 35 saves Sunday afternoon. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – If the Sabres want to add an established goalie they can utilize as Linus Ullmark recovers from his lower-body injury, Alex Stalock is available.
The Minnesota Wild waived Stalock, who has been recovering from an upper-body injury all season, on Sunday.
Stalock, 33, has played 151 NHL games, including a career-high 38 last season. The veteran could be an intriguing option for the Sabres.
Ullmark will be sidelined at least one month, coach ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has missed the last two games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel will skate in this afternoon’s warm-up and be a game-time decision, coach Ralph Krueger said.
A lower-body injury has sidelined Eichel the last two games. Krueger said 13 forwards will warm up before the Sabres play the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center.
Update: Eichel will play this afternoon. Rookie winger Dylan Cozen will be scratched.
In other lineup news, Krueger said Jonas Johansson will start in goal, his first ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen missed seven games before returning Saturday afternoon. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Instead of easing defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen into the lineup, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger threw him into the fray Saturday afternoon, skating him a game-high 8 minutes, 22 seconds in the first period.
Ristolainen, 26, showcased remarkable energy considering he had missed seven games while recovering from a nasty battle with COVID-19.
The 6-foot-4, 221-pound Ristolainen played a team-high 22 minutes, 17 seconds in the Sabres’ 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Finn ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel is questionable for this weekend. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark will likely miss this weekend’s two-game series against the Philadelphia Flyers, coach Ralph Krueger said. Meanwhile, captain Jack Eichel is questionable for the home contests.
Both players have lower-body injuries and did not practice today inside KeyBank Center.
Ullmark, the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, left Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils after the first period. Kruger said Ullmark was having X-rays done this afternoon.
“We’re not ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo is still goalless this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the waning seconds of Tuesday’s 4-1 win, Sabres winger Kyle Okposo grabbed the puck high in his zone and cleared it out just past the blue line.
A second later, center Cody Eakin scooped it up, skated through the neutral zone and scored an empty-net goal just before time expired against the New Jersey Devils.
In his 11th game this season, Okposo finally recorded his first point.
Okposo, 32, has started his ... Read the full article
