WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Post-Deadline Edition
Dylan Cozens has quickly become one of the Sabres’ standouts. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
It ranks as one of the prettiest first goals scored by a Buffalo Sabres rookie in recent memory. Not only did winger Dylan Cozens unleash a wicked wrist shot from the right circle, he created his own goal by stripping the puck from Brian Pinho at center ice.
When Cozens, 19, scored 10:23 into second period, tying Friday’s game at 2, it appeared the Sabres had seized the momentum from the depleted Washington Capitals.
“It ... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens has looked comfortable with the Sabres. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Seventeen years ago, Sabres center Eric Staal lived what Dylan Cozens, his new linemate, is experiencing right now as a teenage rookie.
“It’s scary to think I was him back in the day,” Staal said on Zoom call after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s road game against the Philadelphia Flyers. “Time goes fast.”
In 2003-04, Staal, now 36, was a neophyte learning the rigors of NHL life. To boost his development, the ... Read the full article
Eric Staal has showcased durability throughout his long career. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When Nic Dowd elbowed Eric Staal in the jaw late in Thursday’s 6-4 season-opening loss, it looked like the Sabres center could be sidelined for a while.
The Washington Capitals center knocked the 6-foot-4, 195-pound Staal to the ice and out of the game.
But Staal, who has remained remarkably durable over his 17-year NHL career, played in Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Capitals at KeyBank Center, pivoting the second line.
On Friday ... Read the full article
Eric Staal left Thursday’s game after taking an elbow to the jaw. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres center Eric Staal, who left Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals after getting elbowed in the jaw, will be a game-time decision for tonight’s rematch, coach Ralph Krueger said.
Update: Staal will play tonight.
If Staal can’t play, Kruger said newcomer Riley Sheahan will be moved to center. Sheahan played right wing beside center Curtis Lazar and Jeff Skinner in the season opener.
“We’ve got a backup plan,” Krueger said on a ... Read the full article
Taylor Hall scored early in his Sabres debut. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – If Thursday’s disjointed performance against the Washington Capitals turns out to be a harbinger, the Sabres could be in for another long season.
In their highly anticipated season opener, the Sabres, who had six new faces in the lineup, looked like the same old team, losing 6-4 inside KeyBank Center.
If fans had been allowed to attend the game, you can bet they would’ve voiced their frustration a few times.
After a 10-month ... Read the full article
The Sabres acquired Eric Staal to center their second line. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres center Eric Staal left Thursday’s 6-4 season-opening loss to the Washington Capitals after Nic Dowd elbowed him in the jaw.
Coach Ralph Krueger had no update following the game on Staal, who was acquired from the Minnesota Wild on Sept. 16 to center the second line.
“I saw what you saw,” Krueger said on a Zoom call. “We’re just assessing him. It’s one of those where it’s definitely in a day-to-day status ... Read the full article
Carter Hutton enjoyed a terrific training camp. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ralph Krueger’s decision to award goalie Carter Hutton the opening night start against the Washington Capitals wasn’t surprising.
Yes, Hutton, 35, struggled most of last season, losing 12 straight decisions at one point. But his turnaround started at the end of 2019-20, when enjoyed a 6-2-0 run in February.
Hutton performed strongly throughout training camp this year, quickly morphing into one of the Sabres’ standouts. Meanwhile, goalie Linus Ullmark missed the ... Read the full article
Jack Quinn has impressed the Sabres. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On Wednesday morning, rookie Jack Quinn wasn’t among the five players the Sabres assigned to their new taxi squad.
But instead of practicing with the team’s main group at KeyBank Center, Quinn joined the taxi-squad players across the street inside LECOM Harborcenter.
Meanwhile, taxi-squad forward Rasmus Asplund skated with the Sabres’ main group.
Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said last week the practice groups would be adjusted every morning, so expect regular movement ... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens could make his NHL debut later this week. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The 27 players who participated in Tuesday’s practice will start the season on the Sabres’ roster or taxi squad, coach Ralph Krueger said.
That means 19-year-old forward prospects Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, Buffalo’s last two first-round picks, will remain in the NHL for now.
Of course, the Sabres must sort some things out before Thursday’s opener against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center.
Krueger said center Curtis Lazar (lower-body injury) and ... Read the full article
Arttu Ruotsalainen could spent time in Buffalo on the taxi squad and in Rochester. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
In the COVID-19 world, the Sabres start each day by having a logistics meeting.
NHL teams can utilize a four- to-six man taxi squad this season, meaning in addition to figuring out the big league and AHL rosters, the Sabres have another group they must prepare to handle.
“This is so much a new world, trying to figure out exactly how we’re going to integrate the taxi squad,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said on a ... Read the full article