Clague - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres don’t extend qualifying offers to Tyson Jost, two others

Following the end of his first season in Buffalo, center Tyson Jost talked about what a special group he had joined and how badly he wanted to return to the Sabres.

On Friday, the Sabres did not give Jost, 25, a qualifying offer, meaning he can become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens Saturday.

General manager Kevyn Adams, however, has said he wants Jost to return. By not extending him an offer as ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: NHL teams reluctant to trade top-10 draft picks

NASHVILLE – For first time since 2012, the Buffalo Sabres did not have a top-10 pick at the NHL Draft, meaning general manager Kevyn Adams likely had fewer teams trying to pry away his first selection.

Given the amount of high-end talent available early, teams are usually reluctant to part with one of the first 10 choices. This year, no trades were made in the entire first round.

“That’s shocking,” said Adams, who tried to ... Read the full article

After stint with Sabres, Lawrence Pilut becomes elite defenseman for Amerks

TORONTO – Shortly after Christmas, following perhaps the best outing of his 86-game NHL career, the Buffalo Sabres waived defenseman Lawrence Pilut.

Having received two blueliners back from injury, Pilut, who had been passed on the depth chart by Kale Clague, lost his roster spot. He cleared and was assigned to the Rochester Americans, beginning another stint in the minors.

Today, Pilut, 27, ranks among the AHL’s elite defensemen. A strong argument can ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson wanted to hit 50-goal mark

BUFFALO – At the beginning of the season, fresh off a breakout 38-goal campaign, Sabres star Tage Thompson wanted duplicate last year’s career-best output.

“If I could get around the same as I got last year, it would be successful and (I’d) be pretty happy with that,” Thompson said prior to Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ home finale.

Well, Thompson, 25, hit the 30-goal mark Jan. 3, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin plays brilliantly in win; Devon Levi might be starter

BUFFALO – Go ahead, try to pick Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s most impactful play in Saturday afternoon’s thrilling 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Was it his game-tying power-play score in the second period, his first goal in nearly 11 weeks? His dazzling backhand pass that created center Casey’s Mittelstadt’s tying goal later in the period? Before he dished the puck, he generated highlight footage by zooming down the slot and slickly undressing two ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn elevating game late in season, earning trust

BUFFALO – The subtle plays Sabres rookie Jack Quinn often makes belie his limited experience and showcase his growing maturity.

To wit: Sabres coach Don Granato said the winger has learned how to utilize his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame and absorb a hit by taking his stick off the puck.

He said Quinn, who gives up size to many opponents, might move a foot while the puck could slide about two feet. Still, it’s within reach.... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early, get clobbered by Bruins: ‘We believe we’re still in it’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ regression over the past three weeks has been startling. After positioning themselves to compete for their first playoff spot in 12 years, they’ve imploded, dropping nine of their last 11 games.

The Sabres aren’t just losing; opponents are annihilating them. Sunday afternoon’s ugly 7-0 loss to the Boston Bruins marked the third time in their last 10 outings they’ve allowed seven or more goals and lost by at least six.

Since ... Read the full article

Sabres make struggling Victor Olofsson healthy scratch against Maple Leafs

TORONTO – As the Buffalo Sabres split into two groups and began working on their power play hours before Monday’s 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs, winger Victor Olofsson took a knee and watched the units from the bench area.

It was an ominous sign that Olofsson, a staple of the power play for years, would be a healthy scratch against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

With winger Alex Tuch returning from a lower-body ... Read the full article

As Alex Tuch nears return, Sabres lose top D Mattias Samuelsson, Rasmus Dahlin to injuries

BUFFALO – Following a rough week in which they lost four straight games and their top two defensemen, the Sabres sorely needed a boost like the return of high-scoring winger Alex Tuch.

The Sabres have struggled without Tuch, losing six of the eight games he has missed recovering from a lower-body injury. They’re in danger of falling out of the playoff race, and now Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin have each suffered upper-body injuries.

So ... Read the full article

Sabres end critical week with OT loss to Rangers: ‘We need to play that way’

BUFFALO – The Sabres ended the most critical week of their season having lost all four games and earned just a single point.

With barely a month left, they’ve dropped seven points behind out of a wild card spot and have two other teams ahead of them. Right now, the chances of them roaring up the standings and ending their 11-year playoff drought are slim.

Still, fresh off Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 overtime loss, a game ... Read the full article