Cozens - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Maturity accelerated Sabres prospect Jack Quinn’s development

BUFFALO – Barely three months ago, when the Sabres informed prospect Jack Quinn he was being sent to the minors, he looked at general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Don Granato and told them he understood their decision.

Quinn’s words that day have stuck with Granato. Yes, Quinn, 20, was disappointed to be leaving. Still, he knew he had an opportunity in Rochester, where he had played 15 games for the Americans the previous season.... Read the full article

Talented Anders Bjork returns to Sabres looking for more consistency

BUFFALO – Over his first 44 games with the Sabres, winger Anders Bjork has struggled to maintain consistency, mostly showcasing flashes of his talent.

Bjork, 25, scored opening night before beginning a 10-game goalless stretch. After scoring in back-to-back contests, he endured a 12-game goal drought in which he was scratched twice.

Sabres coach Don Granato said Bjork must learn to regularly imprint his identity as a player – “His is speed and quickness,” he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens takes out COVID frustrations with virtual boxing

BUFFALO – After testing positive for COVID-19 for the second time in about 11 months, Sabres center Dylan Cozens said he had some items, including a virtual reality headset, dropped off to his home.

“It goes over your eyes and takes you to a whole another place,” Cozens said following Monday’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “You move your head and stuff. So I was standing in my room like boxing with it.”

Then Cozens, 20, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo leaves practice to enter NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

BUFFALO – Just when the Sabres appeared to be getting over their COVID-19 problems, two players today, winger Kyle Okposo and defenseman Casey Fitzgerald, entered the NHL’s protocol.

“There’s no question this has been ridiculously challenging,” said Sabres coach Don Granato, who received three players back from protocol for this morning’s practice.

Okposo, 33, started practicing before the Sabres yanked him off the KeyBank Center ice when they learned his test results.

“Everything’s a concern ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Don Granato leaves NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, travels to Boston

Don Granato’s Saturday began in the predawn hours in Buffalo. The coach knew he was close to clearing the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. So receiving good test results meant he join the Sabres in Boston for their matinee.

“I was waiting literally minute by minute in hopes of being here,” Granato said on a Zoom call prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins at TD Garden.

When Granato received clearance, he hopped on ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza, Jeff Skinner leave COVID-19 protocol

Sabres wingers Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner have left the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and could play in this afternoon’s road game against the Boston Bruins, according to The Buffalo News.

Hinostroza, 27, and Skinner, 29, practiced with the Sabres on Friday in Boston.

“Both will be available, if that’s the direction we decide,” assistant Matt Ellis, who’s subbing for head coach Don Granato, told the paper.

... Read the full article

Sabres move forward without Don Granato, five players: ‘I feel for the guys’

BUFFALO – Following the Sabres’ first practice in eight days, winger Kyle Okposo acknowledged that, yes, at times he recently wondered if they would ever skate together again.

On Sunday, Okposo arrived at the KeyBank Center excited the NHL’s Christmas/COVID-19 break had ended. But after coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski tested positive for the virus, the Sabres canceled their scheduled afternoon practice.

“I was ready to go yesterday,” Okposo said ... Read the full article

Sabres practice without six after zero added to COVID-19 protocol

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres practiced this morning for the first time in eight days following a Christmas/COVID-19 break:

– The Sabres today had zero players added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. With coach Don Granato and five players having tested positive for the virus, assistant coach Matt Ellis led a session with 16 skaters and three goalie.

If Granato can’t coach Wednesday’s scheduled home game against the New ... Read the full article

Sabres facing COVID-19 issues as Don Granato, players enter NHL protocol

On Sunday, following a six-day pause, the Buffalo Sabres planned to reconvene and practice. Still, given how COVID-19 has been decimating NHL teams, it felt like their return to the ice could be delayed.

Sure enough, barely two hours before their scheduled 3 p.m. session, the Sabres canceled it. About 90 minutes later, they announced coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski have entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol.

Right now, all three ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Don Granato, two players enter NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski this afternoon entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. Right now, all three are asymptomatic, according to the team.

The Sabres now have one coach and five players in protocol. Wingers Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner were added last week.

The team this afternoon canceled a practice scheduled for 3 p.m.

Following a four-day Christmas/COVID-19 break, NHL teams can reconvene today for testing, ... Read the full article