Danforth - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich likely out for season; Justin Danforth, Jordan Greenway both ‘progressing slowly’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich, who hasn’t played since Nov. 1 because of blood clot issues, will most likely miss the rest of the season.

Kulich, 21, recently underwent testing to determine if he could resume a higher fitness level.

“He’s continuing to get treatment,” Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Friday in KeyBank Center. “Our main concern, obviously, is his well-being and long-term health, and second, when he can be back as a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich to have test to see if he can resume higher fitness level

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich, who hasn’t played since Nov. 1 because of blood clot issues, will undergo another test today to determine if he can “resume a higher level of fitness,” coach Lindy Ruff said.

“I don’t know what that level will be, whether that involves contact,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “We’ll find out what that means. The doctors will make that decision.”

Kulich, 21, recently resumed skating ... Read the full article

Sabres’ UPL, Zach Benson near return; Jordan Greenway trying new treatment for injury

BUFFALO – In the near future, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and winger Zach Benson, both of whom were injured prior to the Olympic break, could start practicing again, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said Luukkonen, whose lower-body injury forced him to miss the Milano Cortina Games, skated on his own Wednesday before the Sabres’ first post-break practice.

“He’s within days of joining us,” Ruff said following the session in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris, Jacob Bryson day to day with injuries

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris, who has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury, is now day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Josh is better,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter. “In the training room there today and progressing.”

Ruff said the oft-injured Norris, who has played just 19 games this season, likely won’t return this week.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Lyon, Michael Kesselring progressing from injuries

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Alex Lyon, who hasn’t played since suffering a lower-body injury late in last Monday’s 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues, is day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“It doesn’t look like anything too major,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center.

Ruff said Lyon and defenseman Michael Kesselring, who left Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars with a lower-body injury, are both “progressing” from their respective injuries.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Michael Kesselring set to return from injury; Justin Danforth ‘doing OK’

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring, who has missed the last 14 games with a lower-body injury, is expected to return tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Kesselring, the Sabres’ biggest offseason acquisition, hasn’t played since Nov. 15. He practiced Wednesday alongside defenseman Owen Power in his first session back.

“Kesselring indicated to me that he would be good to go, which is a great thing,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich to miss ‘significant time’ with blood clot issue

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich will miss “significant time” because of a blood clot issue, coach Lindy Ruff said, the latest blow for a team decimated by injuries and illness.

“I’m not going to go any further into details, but pretty serious,” Ruff said following Monday’s morning’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.

Kulich, 21, has missed the last three games. The clot was discovered when he underwent additional testing after fluid built up in his ... Read the full article

Sabres defeat Panthers with complete, heavy effort: ‘A lot of passion’

BUFFALO – Well, a lot can change in three days, huh? The Sabres, a laughingstock earlier in the week thanks to their dreadful 0-3-0 start, suddenly look like a contender in the crowded Eastern Conference.

To wit: fresh off a four-goal victory, the Sabres showcased a complete and heavy effort throughout Saturday’s emotional 3-0 triumph over the Florida Panthers, setting an aggressive tone all afternoon and also standing up for themselves physically.

Goalie Alex Lyon, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Justin Danforth to be sidelined ‘significant amount of time’ with injury

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Justin Danforth will be sidelined “a significant amount of time” with a lower-body injury, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said Danforth, who did not return to Wednesday’s 8-4 win over the Ottawa Senators after blocking a shot early in the second period, will miss more than a month.

With Danforth out, winger Josh Dunne will likely move into the lineup for this afternoon’s home game against the Florida Panthers.... Read the full article

Sabres roar back to beat Senators, earn first win: ‘Building came to life’

BUFFALO – The four-goal second period that buoyed the Sabres to Wednesday’s much-needed 8-4 come-from-behind win can be traced to, of all things, winger Alex Tuch’s penalty.

With the Sabres trailing 2-1 at the 5:48 mark and down a man, Tuch was whistled for a slashing call he found, at the time, a little weak.

Tuch, who rarely barks at officials, emphatically pleaded his case.... Read the full article