Bylsma - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jack Eichel knows he can’t rush back from ankle injury

BUFFALO – Jack Eichel emerged through a curtain and wheeled his scooter to his normal spot in the dressing room. The Sabres center’s sprained left ankle was encased in a boot. His skates and equipment, meanwhile, were hanging in his locker, where they could remain for weeks or even – gasp – months.

Then Eichel, 19, began answering questions for the first time since sustaining a dreaded high ankle sprain late in practice Wednesday, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evander Kane out ‘weeks’ with 3 cracked ribs

BUFFALO – The injury-plagued Sabres, already down four top players just one game into the season, will be without winger Evander Kane for “weeks” after he broke three ribs crashing hard into the end boards Thursday, coach Dan Bylsma said.

Kane slid on his back following contact from Alexei Emelin late in the second period of the Sabres’ 4-1 loss to Montreal, his left side taking most of the impact. He was transported to the ... Read the full article

Sabres lose opener to Canadiens, Evander Kane to injury

BUFFALO – If Thursday’s dispirited 4-1 opening-night loss to the Montreal Canadiens turns out to be a harbinger for the 2016-17 season, well, the Sabres could be in for a long six months.

In addition to an ugly setback to their Atlantic Division rival, first-line winger Evander Kane was taken to the hospital after he slid on his back and crashed his left side hard into the end boards following contact from Alexei Emelin late ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel could miss 6-8 weeks; GM Tim Murray signs contract extension

BUFFALO – In Ottawa, top pick Auston Matthews compiled the greatest debut in modern NHL history, scoring an eye-popping four goals for Toronto. In Edmonton, the slick Connor McDavid enjoyed a dynamic season opener, scoring two goals and three points.

Hours before Jack Eichel’s contemporaries began the 2016-17 season in grand fashion Wednesday, the young Sabres star sustained a high left ankle sprain late in practice.

Eichel, 19, watched Thursday’s 4-1 season-opening loss to the ... Read the full article

Attention to details helped Hudson Fasching make Sabres

BUFFALO – Seven months removed from college, Sabres rookie Hudson Fasching has already grasped the complexities of the NHL that often overwhelm neophytes.

Fasching, 21, pays attention to the details of hockey.

That’s why Fasching, a strong prospect many had ticketed for the AHL early on, earned a spot in the Sabres’ opening-night lineup tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.

“That would be a big factor in it,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said this morning. “Every ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel has ‘moderate’ ankle sprain; Ryan O’Reilly ready for opener

BUFFALO – The scary high ankle sprain center Jack Eichel suffered when his left leg buckled Wednesday is “moderate,” coach Dan Bylsma said this morning.

Still, Bylsma said Eichel, 19, will be sidelined “more weeks than days at this point.” He didn’t give a firmer timeline.

Clearly, Eichel’s injury late in the final practice before tonight’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens shocked the team. The young star, a popular teammate, is supposed to have ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel’s ankle injury rocks Sabres before season opener

BUFFALO – The loud thud center Jack Eichel made crashing to the ice broke through the din that accompanied the Sabres’ final preseason practice.

It was approaching 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the eve of the season opener, and coach Dan Bylsma wanted another 10 minutes, maybe less, from his players before they showered and headed to the team’s annual kickoff luncheon.

Then, suddenly, Eichel’s left leg buckled after he lifted Zemgus Girgensons’ stick during a power ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Ristolainen happy to have contract done

BUFFALO – Rasmus Ristolainen said he trusted a new contract would be finished. Still, the Sabres defenseman wasn’t sure if his deal would be completed before tonight’s season opener.

“Thursday was coming pretty quick,” said Ristolainen, who signed a six-year, $32.4 million contract Tuesday, ending a brief holdout.

The Finn, 21, practiced Wednesday beside new partner Dmitry Kulikov as the Sabres prepared for the Montreal Canadiens inside KeyBank Center.

Ristolainen briefly left the Sabres earlier ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel injures ankle, status uncertain

BUFFALO – Just a day before the season opener, Sabres center Jack Eichel injured his left ankle in a scary scene late during today’s practice, leaving the young star’s status uncertain.

“Not a lot to tell after that,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. “He’s going to get evaluated this afternoon.”

Update: The Sabres have announced Eichel has a high ankle sprain. No timetable has been set for his return. TSN’s Bob McKenzie, however, tweeted the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel injured during practice

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel was helped off the ice from this morning’s practice in noticeable pain after his left leg buckled in front of the net during a drill.

Update: Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Eichel injured his ankle.

“Not a lot to tell after that,” Bylsma said. “He’s going to get evaluated this afternoon.”

Eichel, 19, stayed on the ice and grimaced before team staff attended to him. The practice, which was ... Read the full article