Eichel - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin on Thursday’s wild atmosphere: ‘It was unreal’

BUFFALO – It wasn’t just ex-captain Jack Eichel that had the 12,437 fans at KeyBank Center going bonkers throughout Thursday’s wild 3-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

The tight, gritty game featured suspect officiating that drew the ire of the season-high crowd throughout the memorable night. There were also two fights in the intense affair between teams that meet just twice a season.

The Sabres have been playing before the smallest crowds in franchise ... Read the full article

Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch lead Sabres over Jack Eichel, Golden Knights

BUFFALO – After scoring a goal and helping spoil Jack Eichel’s return, Peyton Krebs gave his good friend, Alex Tuch, a hug to celebrate perhaps the Sabres’ most exciting victory in years.

Krebs and Tuch, having arrived from the Vegas Golden Knights in the blockbuster Eichel trade, will forever be linked together. The wingers have embraced the opportunities that materialized when they departed one of the NHL’s elite teams to join a rebuilding one.

So ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel wonders about reception in Buffalo, not bitter toward Sabres

BUFFALO – The scene looked downright odd. There was ex-Sabres captain Jack Eichel, clad in his Golden Knights gear with the team’s backdrop behind him and a flag in front of him, talking about his new life in Vegas.

In the same spot in KeyBank Center where he often spoke to the local media, Eichel, 25, acknowledged on Wednesday it felt a little awkward walking in as a visitor.

For six seasons after the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Henri Jokiharju, other injured players close to returning

BUFFALO – Defenseman Henri Jokiharju and some other injured Sabres could return for tonight’s home game against Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights, coach Don Granato said.

Jokiharju, out the last six games with a lower-body injury, practiced Wednesday in his regular spot beside defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Meanwhile, winger Zemgus Girgensons, out the last 16 games with a lower-body injury, skated on a line of extras with center Mark Jankowski and Anders Bjork inside ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch leaves game injured after crashing into goalpost

BUFFALO – Twelve minutes into the third period Sunday afternoon, Sabres winger Alex Tuch skated into the opposing zone short-handed and unleashed a shot that missed the net.

Tuch quickly chased after the puck, and as he zoomed toward Los Angeles Kings goalie Cal Petersen, he lost his balance and crashed head first into the left goalpost.

After staying down on the ice face first for a minute or two, Tuch, 25, skated to the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Drake Caggiula to undergo season-ending neck surgery

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Drake Caggiula will undergo season-ending fusion surgery today in Los Angeles to repair a herniated disc in his neck, general manager Kevyn Adams said this morning.

Caggiula, 27, has a six to eight month recovery, according to Adams.

“He’s been seeing some different specialists and gathered all the information and then made the decision a few days ago that he was moving forward with the surgery,” Adams said inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs displaying elite playmaking skills: ‘A special talent’

BUFFALO – In the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 6-3 win, Sabres winger Peyton Krebs grabbed the puck in the left circle and skated to the goal line before quickly finding linemate Victor Olofsson in the opposite circle.

Krebs caught the New York Islanders and perhaps even Olofsson, who was wide open, off guard. Olofsson converted the slick pass, putting the Sabres up 4-3.

“Saw him backdoor and just made a quick pass to him,” Krebs ... Read the full article

Ex-Sabres coach Dan Bylsma energized by new job as Kraken’s assistant in AHL

ROCHESTER – Dan Bylsma laughed and processed the question a little longer. He started to answer it but stopped again to collect his thoughts.

After three lean years as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings, did the ex-Buffalo Sabres head coach need a new adventure?

“We were in a different spot in Detroit with the team and the players,” Bylsma told the Times Herald on Wednesday following the Charlotte Checkers’ 5-1 loss to ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt to talk to surgeon; Tage Thompson set to return

Buffalo Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt will miss tonight’s road game against the Vegas Golden Knights and plans to talk to the surgeon who repaired his upper-body injury, coach Don Granato said.

Mittelstadt left Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, just his third outing since undergoing surgery Dec. 10, with soreness in his upper body after playing just 4 minutes, 59 seconds.

“We want to make sure we’re doing the right things with that,” Granato ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch responding to new challenges, piling up points

BUFFALO – In Vegas, Sabres newcomer Alex Tuch played a supporting role on one of the NHL’s deepest teams. The Golden Knights possess high-end talent in Jonathan Marchessault, Max Pacioretty, Alex Pietrangelo, Mark Stone and others.

Tuch, 25, could blend in as a second- or third-liner for the Golden Knights, a team built to win the Stanley Cup right now.

“All the pressure that’s on that team to win and go for the Cup, ... Read the full article