Girgensons - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres receive good news about Casey Mittelstadt’s health

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that, yes, he was nervous about Casey Mittelstadt’s health. After undergoing surgery to repair an upper-body injury, the center left the lineup shortly into his second game back.

But when Mittelstadt, 23, recently visited his surgeon, he received good news. Granato said Mittelstadt, who had issues in the area of his surgery, will rejoin the Sabres for today’s practice in a non-contact role. The American has been ... Read the full article

Sabres’ goalie crisis worsens as Michael Houser enters COVID-19 protocol

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ goalie crisis reached a critical level Friday afternoon when the team placed Michael Houser in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Houser, 29, was the team’s only healthy goalie prior to entering protocol. He started practicing Friday morning inside LECOM Harborcenter before leaving the session.

Houser is the sixth goalie the Sabres have lost to injury, illness or suspension.

The Sabres flew Friday afternoon to Arizona, where they continue their road trip tonight ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Aaron Dell could face suspension for hit on Drake Batherson

In a season in which they’ve lost 29 of their 42 games and dropped six contests by four or more goals, the Buffalo Sabres have offered some pretty dismal performances.

Tuesday’s ugly 5-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre ranks among the worst.

The Sabres looked downright awful after a solid start, allowing three goals in a span of 2 minutes, 55 seconds late in the first period and losing for the ... Read the full article

Halfway through season, Sabres feel progress, excited about future

BUFFALO – When Don Granato took over the Sabres on interim basis 10 months ago, he said he treated the job like it would be his in the future.

So in his first days, Granato thrust some young players who had been getting scratched or skating short minutes down the lineup – centers Casey Mittelstadt and Tage Thompson, for example – into prominent roles.

Granato, of course, knew the Sabres would be trading or losing ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt set to return from injury; Kyle Okposo practices

BUFFALO – Sabres forwards Casey Mittelstadt and Zemgus Girgensons practiced this morning and will likely return for Tuesday’s road game against the Ottawa Senators.

“Zemgus is back, full, and so is Mittsy,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following the session.

Mittelstadt, out with an upper-body injury the last 16 games, centered Peyton Krebs and Anders Bjork during the practice inside LECOM Harborcenter. Meanwhile, Girgensons, out the last five games with a lower-body injury, skated at ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Ristolainen has warm memories of Buffalo

BUFFALO – In his first nine seasons, ex-Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has endured more chaos and losing than any NHL player.

The Sabres employed six coaches and four general managers during Ristolainen’s eight-year tenure, finishing dead last four times.

When the Sabres traded Ristolainen to the Philadelphia Flyers on July 23, it appeared he might finally have an opportunity to play for a contender and experience postseason hockey.

Instead, the Finn joined a team that ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn suffers lower-body injury; Craig Anderson practices

BUFFALO – If Jack Quinn hadn’t suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, he likely would’ve kept playing for the Sabres in the coming weeks.

The Sabres, of course, won’t simply award their prospects a spot. But given their rash of injuries and that Quinn, 20, had performed so well – he scored his first NHL goal and assisted on another Thursday – he almost certainly would’ve earned a long ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Casey Mittelstadt close to playing; Buffalo has long injury list

BUFFALO – Casey Mittelstadt has never experienced anything like this season. The Sabres center, normally a durable presence, has played just four times, missing 36 total games while recovering from two upper-body injuries.

After going down opening night, he sat out 21 straight games. Then in his third contest back, he sustained another injury in the same area and has been sidelined the last 15 games.

Now, Mittelstadt, who underwent surgery Dec. 10, is close ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt nears return; Kyle Okposo sidelined week to week

BUFFALO – Center Casey Mittelstadt, who underwent surgery Dec. 10 to repair an upper-body injury, skated with the Sabres this morning and could play Saturday afternoon or Tuesday, coach Don Granato said.

“Big thing is to get him integrated in practice, see where he’s at,” Granato said following Mittelstadt’s first skate with the team getting hurt Dec. 7.

Mittelstadt, 23, has endured a frustrating season, playing just four games. After suffering an upper-body injury opening ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Mattias Samuelsson looks impressive in season debut for Buffalo

It was one of those so-called little plays that was really huge. In the second period of Monday afternoon’s 3-2 overtime loss, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson tied up Lucas Raymond near the net.

While the Detroit Red Wings forward managed to shoot the puck, Samuelsson stymied him enough to nullify what would’ve been a terrific scoring chance.

“I feel like that’s always been my style,” said Samuelsson, who was recalled Monday morning. “I’m not ... Read the full article