Colorado Avalanche - Buffalo Hockey Beat

NHL’s growing COVID-19 problem forces first Sabres game to be postponed

PITTSBURGH – The concern over the growing number of positive COVID-19 cases forced the NHL this afternoon to postpone games involving the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers through Dec. 26.

So Wednesday’s Buffalo Sabres home game against the Avalanche has been shelved. No makeup date has been announced for the Sabres’ first COVID-related postponement this season.

The NHL this afternoon also extended the Calgary Flames’ postponements through Thursday.

Right now, COVID is tearing through the ... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Jonas Johansson to Avalanche

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon traded goalie Jonas Johansson to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2021.

The Sabres held Johansson, 25, out of Friday’s practice as they attempted to deal him.

With Johansson gone, Carter Hutton and Dustin Tokarski are the Sabres’ top two goalies. Hutton, 35, has a 1-10-1 record this season. Meanwhile, Tokarski, 31, hasn’t played in the NHL since a 10-minute stint in 2016-17.

A lower-body injury ... Read the full article

Wayne Simmonds thrilled to join Sabres: ‘A perfect opportunity for me’

BUFFALO – Sabres newcomer Wayne Simmonds has a reached a critical point in his career. The 12-year veteran needs to play meaningful games. Staying another six weeks with the hapless New Jersey Devils wouldn’t have helped him much.

Simmonds, 31, has endured the worst season of his NHL career. Given his age and declining production – just eight goals in 61 games this season – he needs to demonstrate he still possesses the skills that ... Read the full article

Dominik Kahun excited to join Sabres: ‘I’m really, really happy’

BUFFALO – Dominik Kahun experienced an unconventional path to the NHL. In 2012, the Sabres forward left Germany for North America, hoping a stint in junior would help him get drafted. Two years later, he went home without a team.

“I came to the OHL, my goal was to get drafted and play in the NHL, but I didn’t get drafted there,” Kahun said on a conference call Tuesday.

So Kahun, who was acquired from ... Read the full article

Sabres implode in ugly second period, fall to Avalanche: ‘Today was (crap)’

BUFFALO – This could spiral out of control in a hurry. There might be more ugly efforts like Tuesday’s uninspired 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche down the stretch.

The Sabres have displayed a disturbing penchant for melting down late in the season.

Players, coaches and even regimes change, yet the sorry results stay the same.

A week ago, the Sabres began a stretch in which they play five straight home games nine of 10 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Brandon Montour gaining trust, earning big minutes

BUFFALO – Having piled up points throughout his career, Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour understands he has earned a reputation.

“People that see me as a player, I think, over the years, they think it was just offense,” Montour said prior to Tuesday’s 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche inside KeyBank Center.

Montour, 25, has averaged nine goals and 34 points in his two full NHL seasons. He put up 12 goals and 57 points in ... Read the full article

Sabres dealing with sickness, recall could be coming from Amerks

BUFFALO – In addition to what coach Ralph Krueger has termed some “light injuries,” the Sabres are dealing with some sickness going around the locker room.

So tonight’s lineup against the Colorado Avalanche isn’t set yet.

“I would love to be able to tell you the roster, but I have to be honest, we’re still assessing,” Krueger said this morning inside KeyBank Center.

Krueger said two defensemen are being assessed. Rasmus Dahlin, who had ... Read the full article

Jimmy Vesey focused on Sabres, not thinking about trade deadline

BUFFALO – The left winger beside top center Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart has become a revolving-door position since Victor Olofsson suffered a lower-body injury last month.

Rookie Rasmus Asplund started off subbing for Olofsson. Jimmy Vesey took a brief turn before Zemgus Girgensons enjoyed the longest run.

Last week, Evan Rodrigues and Jeff Skinner, Eichel’s partner most of last season, moved up for about a period.

Now, Vesey, 26, is back on the No. ... Read the full article

Sabres implode early, get blown out by Avalanche

BUFFALO – About 32 hours before the Sabres began Thursday’s ugly 6-1 loss, veteran winger Kyle Okposo saw some ominous signs of trouble during practice.

Throughout the short season, the Sabres had been dialed in and ready, according to Okposo. But fresh off two straight wins, he said they looked sloppy during Wednesday’s session.

“It was a lot like how we played the first period,” an agitated Okposo said after the Colorado Avalanche shellacked the ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Casey Mittelstadt focusing on defensive side

BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt has produced goals and points at every level of hockey. So right now, 10 games into his NHL career, the rookie said he isn’t worried about his offense.

“I’m sure the offense will come, it usually does,” Mittelstadt said prior to Thursday’s 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche inside KeyBank Center. “I’m pretty good with that.”

Mittelstadt, 19, has been an offensive stud wherever he plays. Last season, he ... Read the full article