Foligno - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jack Eichel has ‘moderate’ ankle sprain; Ryan O’Reilly ready for opener

BUFFALO – The scary high ankle sprain center Jack Eichel suffered when his left leg buckled Wednesday is “moderate,” coach Dan Bylsma said this morning.

Still, Bylsma said Eichel, 19, will be sidelined “more weeks than days at this point.” He didn’t give a firmer timeline.

Clearly, Eichel’s injury late in the final practice before tonight’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens shocked the team. The young star, a popular teammate, is supposed to have ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel’s ankle injury rocks Sabres before season opener

BUFFALO – The loud thud center Jack Eichel made crashing to the ice broke through the din that accompanied the Sabres’ final preseason practice.

It was approaching 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the eve of the season opener, and coach Dan Bylsma wanted another 10 minutes, maybe less, from his players before they showered and headed to the team’s annual kickoff luncheon.

Then, suddenly, Eichel’s left leg buckled after he lifted Zemgus Girgensons’ stick during a power ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel injures ankle, status uncertain

BUFFALO – Just a day before the season opener, Sabres center Jack Eichel injured his left ankle in a scary scene late during today’s practice, leaving the young star’s status uncertain.

“Not a lot to tell after that,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. “He’s going to get evaluated this afternoon.”

Update: The Sabres have announced Eichel has a high ankle sprain. No timetable has been set for his return. TSN’s Bob McKenzie, however, tweeted the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo ‘uncertain’ for opener; Zach Bogosian ready to practice

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Kyle Okposo, who bruised his knee in practice Monday, is “uncertain” for Thursday’s season opener against Montreal, coach Dan Bylsma said.

“Long term, there’s not a concern, just the progression back to the ice … hasn’t happened quickly,” Bylsma said this afternoon following practice inside KeyBank Center.

Bylsma said Okposo has improved “exponentially” in recent days.

Meanwhile, defenseman Zach Bogosian (groin) is set to practice Tuesday, Bylsma said. The Sabres ... Read the full article

Prospect Brendan Guhle could make Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Brendan Guhle tries not to think about it. The defenseman doesn’t ask any questions, either.

He’s happy as long as he’s in Buffalo.

“It’s definitely a little nerve-racking, I’d say,” Guhle said Thursday inside KeyBank Center.

Six days before opening night, Guhle, 19, is still battling to make the Sabres out of training camp as a junior-age player, a rarity.

Thanks to injuries to defensemen Zach Bogosian (groin) and Dmitry Kulikov ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno primed for breakout season

BUFFALO – Almost halfway into last season, frustration began overwhelming Sabres winger Marcus Foligno. Maddening inconsistency, not goals or a powerful game, had become his trademark five years into his enigmatic career.

For a week or so, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Foligno, would play an authoritative game and score, teasing he had arrived. Then he might disappear for a month or more.

So the affable Foligno, who always seems to be laughing or smiling, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons positive after rough season

BUFFALO – Instead of dwelling on a season in which his offensive production plummeted and he struggled to find a role on the revamped Sabres, center Zemgus Girgensons said he’s “going all positive.”

“I’m not looking back,” Girgensons said Saturday following practice inside KeyBank Center. “It doesn’t matter what it was last year. It’s a brand new year, you start from all zeros. That’s how I look at it. I feel confident in myself and ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander ready for meeting with brother

BUFFALO – Growing up, Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander and his brother, William, a Toronto Maple Leafs youngster, were ultra-competitive in whatever game or sport they played.

So, despite being very close, the Nylanders would occasionally get a little emotional.

“We fought a lot, there was a lot when we were playing knee hockey, shinny,” Alexander Nylander said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “We always came clean after it and were best buddies again.”

Don’t expect ... Read the full article

Top Sabres pick Alexander Nylander to debut in preseason opener

BUFFALO – Some quick updates this morning from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres prepared for tonight’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Wild before flying to Penn State University:

– The Sabres will use a mix of veterans, youngsters and AHL players for the tilt at Pegula Ice Arena.

Eighth overall pick Alexander Nylander, whose early training camp play has impressed coach Dan Bylsma, will debut on the left wing beside center Cal O’Reilly and ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Marcus Foligno to 1-year deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres re-signed another restricted free agent today, inking winger Marcus Foligno to a one-year contract worth a reported $2.25 million.

While Foligno, 24, was coming off a season in which he set career highs across the board, he earned the same salary last year.

Very quietly, the Sabres are creeping toward the salary cap for the first time in years. Generalfanager.com projects the team at $9,687,978 under the $73 million cap.

The ... Read the full article