Gilbert - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres newcomer Olen Zellweger ready to play after suffering concussion

BUFFALO – Naturally, newcomer Olen Zellweger, the Sabres’ biggest offseason acquisition, wanted to play in Thursday’s season opener in Columbus.

But just nine days had passed since Zellweger, 23, suffered a concussion in a preseason game. While he was feeling better, he did not want to rush back.

So the defenseman decided to wait two more days. He returned to practice today and is expected to made his debut in Saturday’s home opener against ... Read the full article

Months after trade, Sabres sign Louis Crevier to contract extension

Throughout training camp, whenever reporters asked coach Lindy Ruff about defenseman Louis Crevier, one of the Sabres’ offseason additions, he lauded his smart, efficient style.

Crevier, who arrived in Buffalo in the blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, clearly made a strong first impression on Ruff and the Sabres.

On Thursday morning, hours before their season opener in Columbus against the Blue Jackets, the Sabres illustrated just how much they ... Read the full article

Sabres recall veteran from Rochester Amerks before opener

The Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled veteran defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Rochester Americans.

To create a roster spot, the Sabres, who open their season tonight in Columbus, placed defenseman Olen Zellweger on injured reserve. Zellweger suffered a concussion last week.

The Sabres summoned Gilbert for insurance because they lost three of their top defensemen to injury – Zellweger, Mattias Samuelsson and Conor Timmins – during the preseason.... Read the full article

With Olen Zellweger out, Sabres could recall defenseman for opener

BUFFALO – Mattias Samuelsson practiced Wednesday and could play in tonight’s season opener in Columbus. Meanwhile, newcomer Olen Zellweger missed the session and won’t face the Blue Jackets, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.

With only six defensemen – Samuelsson is on injured reserve, while Zellweger is on the 23-man roster despite having recently suffered a concussion – Ruff said the Sabres could recall another one before tonight’s contest.

Update: The Sabres this morning recalled defenseman ... Read the full article

Signing Matt Grzelcyk shows Sabres in full Stanley Cup mode; Olen Zellweger could be back for opener

BUFFALO – When the Sabres announced Friday they had signed veteran Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $850,000 contract, it felt like they might also reveal they expected at least one of their two injured defensemen, Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger, to be sidelined longer than they expected.

But Samuelsson and Zellweger, both of whom went down in Tuesday’s 5-1 preseason win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, are doing well.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Samuelsson, ... Read the full article

Sabres waive eight players, including first-rounder, assign 17 to Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday placed eight players on waivers, including defenseman Ryan Johnson, a first-round pick in 2019, for the purpose of assigning them to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres also waived goalie Matt Villalta, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and forwards Mason Geertsen, Trevor Kuntar, Aidan McDonough, Carson Meyer and Jason Polin.

Update: Everyone on waivers cleared.

In addition, the Sabres also assigned the following players to the Amerks, their AHL affiliate: goalies Talyn ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Jiri Kulich to center top line; Gavin McCarthy set to debut

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ plan for Jiri Kulich this preseason includes moving him around the lineup at different positions.

So the Czech forward, who missed most of last season recovering from a blood clot, is expected to center the top line alongside Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund for at least some of tonight’s preseason road game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Kulich, who will likely play all four exhibition contests, has spent some of training ... Read the full article

Sabres D Mattias Samuelsson week to week with injury; Olen Zellweger in concussion protocol

BUFFALO – It took less than one week of training camp for injuries to the hit the Sabres hard.

When the Sabres open the season next Thursday on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they could be without two of their top four defensemen.

Mattias Samuelsson, their top shutdown defender, is week to week with a lower-body injury he suffered blocking a shot in Tuesday’s 5-1 preseason win over Columbus, coach Lindy Ruff said.... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Lindy Ruff will miss opener in Pittsburgh; Buffalo to field young lineup against Penguins

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff will miss tonight’s preseason opener in Pittsburgh to attend a Celebration of Life ceremony for his former teammate, Brent Peterson, in Nashville.

Sabres assistant coach Seth Appert will run the bench against the Penguins in Ruff’s absence.

Peterson, who played four seasons with the Sabres in the 1980s, died Sept. 11 after a long battle with Parkinson’s. He was 68.... Read the full article

Sabres make depth signings, trade after free agency opens; Jarmo Kekalainen open to making more moves

BUFFALO – After free agency opened Wednesday, the Sabres stayed pretty quiet, signing four depth players likely ticketed for the minors and trading goalie Devon Levi.

While more notable moves could materialize – “We’re still open for business,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in LECOM Harborcenter – the roster might be pretty much set.

“By no means we’re desperate to add anything right now,” Kekalainen said. “It needs to be a perfect fit both from ... Read the full article