Columbus Blue Jackets - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After weak response to illegal hit on Tage Thompson, Sabres hold meeting: ‘Won’t happen again’

BUFFALO – No one would reveal any details of the meeting.

But on Monday, less than a day after an illegal hit knocked Tage Thompson out of their 4-3 win, the Sabres canceled practice and instead discussed why they did not go after Stefan Noesen following his suspension-worthy check to their leading scorer’s head.

“It was dealt with yesterday. Everything,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect Isak Rosen from Rochester, make other roster move

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Monday recalled winger Isak Rosen, whose 23 goals rank second in the AHL this season, from the Rochester Americans.

To create a roster spot, the Sabres placed center Tyson Kozak on injured reserve. Coach Lindy Ruff said on Saturday that Kozak was sick. He missed Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils.

Kozak took a puck off the hand area in Friday’s 4-3 victory against the Nashville ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson named NHL’s Second Star after torrid week

BUFFALO – A torrid week in which winger Tage Thompson led the NHL with four goals, eight points and a plus-9 rating as the Sabres won three consecutive games has earned him the league’s Second Star honors for the week ending Sunday.

The American compiled all of his points at even strength.

Thompson, 27, began the week by scoring three goals and four points in last Tuesday’s 7-2 win over the Boston Bruins. He recorded ... Read the full article

Sabres continue troubling start, lose to Blue Jackets: ‘They won more battles’

COLUMBUS – Seventy-six games remain for the Buffalo Sabres following Thursday’s ugly 6-4 loss to the Blue Jackets, so there’s time to correct things.

But having started this season a dreadful 1-4-1, they better get going in a hurry. Right now, it sure feels a lot like past years. Not much has changed under new coach Lindy Ruff.

The Sabres are a mess defensively. Their special teams are brutal.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn scratched against Blue Jackets; Jiri Kulich moves in

COLUMBUS – Jack Quinn, of course, is hardly alone. The winger is one of seven Buffalo Sabres forwards still looking for his first goal.

But Quinn, a second-liner, is expected to score. Through five games this season, he hasn’t looked like himself, struggling to generate offense.

He has compiled zero goals, one assist, five shots on goal and a minus-4 rating. He was a minus-2 in Wednesday’s 6-5 overtime road loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kevyn Adams expresses faith in Don Granato; Seth Appert subs for ill coach in OT win

BUFFALO – Forty-five minutes prior to the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets, general manager Kevyn Adams acknowledged he understands the frustration directed toward himself, coach Don Granato and the assistants.

The Sabres have woefully underachieved this season, morphing from one of the NHL’s up-and-coming young teams into perhaps its biggest disappointment.

They’re wildly inconsistent, regularly get outworked, often fall behind early in games and have trouble scoring and preventing goals. Nearly ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Don Granato to miss game because of illness; Seth Appert to fill in

Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato is ill and won’t be available for this afternoon’s home game, the team announced this morning. Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert will assume his duties behind the bench for the day.

Granato, 56, conducted Friday’s practice and addressed the media after the Sabres prepared for their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center.

When Granato went into COVID-19 protocol in 2020-21, general manager Kevyn Adams subbed behind the ... Read the full article

With roster move needed, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie has uncertain future

BUFFALO – Eric Comrie processed the question and searched for the right words. The normally loquacious Sabres goalie never found them.

“I don’t know,” he replied when asked about the Sabres’ roster crunch and how he has been focusing on himself. “That’s a tough question to answer.”

Comrie, having once been claimed off waivers four times in a 17-month stretch, has endured a lot of uncertainty in his career. But after signing a two-year contract ... Read the full article

Tyson Jost clears waivers, assigned to Amerks; Sabres send rookie to AHL

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Friday assigned center Tyson Jost to the Rochester Americans after he cleared waivers.

Jost, 25, hasn’t played in the AHL since an eight-game stint with the Colorado Eagles in 2018-19. He has made just 13 appearances in the minors since turning pro in 2017.

The Sabres on Friday also activated center Tage Thompson from the non-roster list and sent rookie defenseman Ryan Johnson to the Amerks in a paper transaction ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres implode in ugly loss to Blue Jackets: ‘We got to find it’

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo spoke firmly following Tuesday’s embarrassing 9-4 loss, the low point of the Kevyn Adams-Don Granato era.

The Sabres, the veteran said, did not quit during an ugly second period in which the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets scored four times and opened up a stunning 7-1 lead.

Moments later, when a question was asked about the Sabres listening to their coaches, an angry Okposo immediately shot it down.

“Listen, I’m ... Read the full article