Cozens - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Team Canada wants Zach Benson; Buffalo had interest in signing Patrick Kane

BUFFALO – In Monday’s 5-1 road win over the New York Rangers, the NHL’s best team, Sabres rookie Zach Benson played a career-high 18 minutes, 28 seconds.

Benson, 18, spent the night skating left wing on the second line alongside center Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka and on the second power-play unit.

“In a game like that against a top team in Madison Square Garden, he was calm, he made a lot of plays, he ... Read the full article

Mature style, skill help Sabres rookie Zach Benson earn spot in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Forget, for a moment, about the dynamic goal Sabres winger Zach Benson scored Wednesday.

Seconds before Benson, 18, utilized a scintillating between-the-legs backhand to beat Washington Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper for his first NHL goal, he made two subtle plays that belied his age.

The maturity the rookie showcased – coach Don Granato called the plays “significant” – helps illustrate why the Sabres have chosen to keep him, at least for now.

Benson, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch returns from injury, should play against Jets

BUFFALO – Alex Tuch thought his upper-body injury would heal a bit faster. The Sabres winger never anticipated missing three contests, including captain Kyle Okposo’s 1,000th NHL game.

“It was something that we didn’t want to flare up again,” Tuch said following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “We just wanted to make sure to keep it under control. … Just wanted to be 100 percent. It was really tough on me to miss Okie’s 1,000th ... Read the full article

With Sabres’ Tage Thompson injured, centers Casey Mittelstadt, Dylan Cozens have chance to step up

BUFFALO – In Tage Thompson’s absence last season, Casey Mittelstadt filled in superbly as the No. 1 center, helping the Sabres’ top line remain one of the NHL’s most lethal.

Still, Thompson, having established himself as one of the NHL’s elite scorers, can’t be replaced. He scored 47 goals and 94 points last season. He had five goals and 11 points during a nine-game stretch before blocking a shot with his left hand or wrist ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Bruins, star Tage Thompson to injury that will sideline him ‘significant time’

BUFFALO – The game, a 5-2 shellacking from the heavyweight Boston Bruins after the Sabres celebrated captain Kyle Okposo’s 1,000th NHL appearance, was bad enough.

But they also lost top center Tage Thompson on Tuesday to an upper-body injury coach Don Granato said will probably sideline their most dynamic scorer “significant time.”

Thompson, 26, left the game just over 11 minutes into the second period after blocking Charlie McAvoy’s shot with his left hand or ... Read the full article

Sabres display skill, not enough work, in loss; Peyton Krebs scratched

PITTSBURGH – On the surface, pumping 35 shots on goal looks good, like the Buffalo Sabres created enough offense to win. Perhaps they just ran into a hot goalie.

While Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry played well in Saturday’s 4-0 win, he hardly stood on his head. The Sabres simply made it too easy for him in front of the 18,429 fans in PPG Paints Arena.

“We used our skill to create stuff but we didn’t ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Injured Alex Tuch misses game; Buffalo could make roster move

BUFFALO – As the Sabres convened for their optional morning skate, winger Alex Tuch emerged from the tunnel and joined his teammates on the ice.

But before the session started, Tuch, who’s battling an upper-body injury, left the ice. He missed Friday’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild at KeyBank Center.

“He’s dealing with some soreness that we’re hoping resolves sooner than later,” Sabres coach Don Granato said prior to the game. “It’s gotten better.”... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch still battling injury; Matt Savoie to make NHL debut

BUFFALO – As the Sabres convened for their optional morning skate, winger Alex Tuch emerged from the tunnel and joined his teammates on the ice.

But before the session started, Tuch, who’s battling an upper-body injury, left the ice. Coach Don Granato said he’s questionable for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild in KeyBank Center.

“He’s dealing with some soreness that we’re hoping resolves sooner than later,” Granato said this morning. “It’s gotten better.”

Granato ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch injured; Matt Savoie could make NHL debut this weekend

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Matt Savoie subbed for injured winger Alex Tuch during Thursday’s practice, skating alongside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner.

So, could Savoie, 19, make his NHL debut tonight against the Minnesota Wild at KeyBank Center?

Coach Don Granato said the Sabres are “leaning toward using” the youngster this weekend. They also play a road game Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens practices after ill-advised fight, says he learned lesson

BUFFALO – Sabres center Dylan Cozens said he has learned his lesson.

In the future, don’t expect to see him picking fights with heavyweights like he did as frustration overwhelmed him late in Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

“It probably won’t happen like that again,” Cozens said Wednesday after returning to practice in KeyBank Center wearing a full face shield.

Cozens, 22, also sported protection over his nose, which likely means it’s broken, ... Read the full article