Carolina Hurricanes - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Torrid stretch puts Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen in elite company

BUFFALO – The significance of defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen’s recent exploits shouldn’t be overshadowed by the Sabres’ disappointing season.

In the near future, if Ristolainen becomes an NHL All-Star or garners serious Norris Trophy consideration, remember the torrid run he is enjoying entering tonight’s tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Ristolainen has three goals, two overtime winners and 14 points while averaging a whopping 27 minutes, 41 seconds of ice time over the last ... Read the full article

Sabres send Taylor Fedun to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent defenseman Taylor Fedun back to the Rochester Americans today.

Fedun, 28, played eight games, recording four assists, all in his first three appearances. The Princeton product hasn’t played since hurting his shoulder Dec. 3. He started practicing again earlier this week.

The Amerks host the St. John’s IceCaps tonight. Fedun has two goals and 12 points in 14 games for the AHL club this season.

Update: Defenseman Zach Bogosian will ... Read the full article

Sabres want to rely on star Ryan O’Reilly less this season

BUFFALO – Dan Bylsma has a problem. It’s a good one, mind you. Most coaches would love to have it.

In Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly, he possesses one of the NHL’s most talented and versatile forwards, one he can throw on the ice in every conceivable situation.

A season ago, O’Reilly’s first with the Sabres, he skated 21 minutes, 44 seconds a game, most among NHL forwards. He deserved every second, quickly becoming the ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel in Calder hunt

BUFFALO – Thanks to a scheduling quirk three months ago, the Sabres enjoyed a six-day Christmas break, a rare opportunity to recharge during the rigorous six-month, 82-game season.

At that point, 33 games into his career, Sabres center Jack Eichel had nine goals and 16 points, terrific numbers for a 19-year-old. Still, those statistics ranked nowhere near the NHL’s elite.

Eichel used the time to go home to Boston and relax. Having played only ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel beats buzzer for overtime winner

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Evander Kane likes to practice the long backhand flips like the one that created rookie Jack Eichel’s slick breakaway winner with one second left in overtime Saturday afternoon.

“They’re helpful when you get caught on a line change,” Kane said following the Sabres’ thrilling 3-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. “It’s kind of like a punt, four seconds of hang time in the air and you can kind of get off ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Carlo Colaiacovo happy to have regular duty

BUFFALO – For 10 weeks, as Carlo Colaiacovo sat game after game – 30 out of 32, including a whopping 15 straight – the Sabres defenseman kept giving coach Dan Bylsma a message.

“Every game he was, ‘I’m ready to go,’” Bylsma said prior to Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes inside the First Niagara Center.

These days, even with Colaiacovo, 33, dressing regularly again – he played his 10^th straight ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evander Kane happy investigation over

BUFFALO – A relieved-looking Evander Kane said this morning he’s happy he won’t be charged after a 74-day investigation into a sexual encounter he had Dec. 27 at a downtown hotel.

“I’m definitely happy that the process is behind me,” the Sabres winger said. “I’m very grateful with the support I got from the Buffalo Sabres and my teammates and family members as well. I’m thankful that this is behind me and we can move ... Read the full article

Sabres want to keep building identity

BUFFALO – Right away, five months ago, the Sabres passed the eye test. Following two wretched seasons, the rebuilt club immediately looked like, well, a real team again.

While this campaign has still been rough – they rank seventh in the Atlantic Division and 26^th overall – the Sabres believe they’ve started creating a strong identity they can carry into the future.

The new-look team (27-33-9) has morphed back into a competitive outfit in ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel and Brian Gionta help Sabres down Hurricanes

BUFFALO – Shortly before Jack Eichel’s nifty winning goal in the Sabres’ 4-1 win Friday, the rookie took an ill-advised skate from his own blue line back toward the net and into danger.

Eichel, 19, coughed up the puck to the Carolina Hurricanes, leading to Zach Bogosian’s interference penalty.

But the Sabres, who ended their six-game losing streak, can live with the occasional mistake from Eichel because, just 23 games into his career, the center ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Carlo Colaiacovo grateful for opportunity

BUFFALO – Having endured a string of injuries in his 20s that almost derailed his career, Sabres defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo understands what it’s like to nearly lose something you love so dearly.

That’s one reason why the affable veteran, who’s on his fourth team in four seasons and nearly went to Russia last year before an opportunity materialized in Philadelphia, is cherishing his time with the Sabres.

“To have been in the league for so ... Read the full article