Girgensons - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Defense injuries force Sabres to make moves, recall Mattias Samuelsson

The Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled Mattias Samuelsson from the Rochester Americans and the defenseman will play this afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings.

Sabres coach Don Granato said defenseman Colin Miller has been dealing with a nagging injury and placed on injured reserve.

Samuelsson, 21, played his first 12 NHL games late last season. He was expected to contend for a roster spot during training camp this year, but he suffered a lower-body ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs thrilled be back: ‘Just getting my stride up here’

BUFFALO – In his last outing Jan. 1, Sabres center Peyton Krebs showcased some of his best talents, creating a goal by adroitly feeding winger Alex Tuch a no-look backhand pass.

Three games into his recall, Krebs, 20, seemed to be finding a groove. Then on Jan. 4, he tested positive for COVID-19.

“I’m just getting my stride up here and starting to feel good, I want to keep things rolling and show them what ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Jacob Bryson to injury as Peyton Krebs returns to lineup

BUFFALO – Throughout what he called “a long 10 days” in COVID-19 quarantine, Peyton Krebs said he felt great. Still, the Sabres center couldn’t test out of the NHL’s protocol.

“It was frustrating, but I’m here now so it’s good to be back,” Krebs said following this morning’s practice, his first since entering protocol Jan. 4.

Krebs, who started skating again Friday, will return for Monday afternoon’s game against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson set to return; Peyton Krebs leaves COVID-19 protocol

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, who left the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Friday, will play in tonight’s road game against the Detroit Red Wings, coach Don Granato said this morning.

Thompson, 24, entered protocol Monday and has missed two games.

To make room for Thompson, Granato said winger Zemgus Girgensons, who has been dealing with a nagging issue, will be scratched.

Thompson has compiled a career-high 12 goals, a total that led the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs ‘feeling good’ but still in NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

For four days, coach Don Granato said the Buffalo Sabres have been hoping center Peyton Krebs can test out of the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Granato said Krebs, who entered protocol Jan. 4, is “feeling good.”

“It’s one of those unpredictable things,” Granato said on a Zoom call this afternoon from Nashville, where the Sabres play the Predators tonight. “So he’s doing what he can. Obviously, he has to stay isolated … and keep himself in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn looks strong in NHL debut: ‘A real good first game’

BUFFALO – To get an understanding of how much Jack Quinn’s teammates like him, two of them, Mattias Samuelsson and Ryan Scarfo, traveled from Rochester to KeyBank Center on Tuesday to watch their friend’s NHL debut with the Sabres.

Samuelsson and Scarfo put on No. 22 Quinn white Americans jerseys backwards so the name and number faced the ice and grabbed front row seats for the pregame warm-up.

As Quinn took the customary solo lap ... Read the full article

Sabres fall in early hole, lose to Sharks: ‘It was not good’

BUFFALO – Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks was just the Sabres’ fourth game in 20 days. Right now, they have six players sidelined by COVID-19 and another five out injured.

They’re rusty, having lost the rhythm of a season that rarely let up before COVID started wreaking havoc on the schedule again. And the rebuilding team was fielding one of the NHL’s weaker lineups before injuries and illness started decimating it.

The ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo leaves practice to enter NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

BUFFALO – Just when the Sabres appeared to be getting over their COVID-19 problems, two players today, winger Kyle Okposo and defenseman Casey Fitzgerald, entered the NHL’s protocol.

“There’s no question this has been ridiculously challenging,” said Sabres coach Don Granato, who received three players back from protocol for this morning’s practice.

Okposo, 33, started practicing before the Sabres yanked him off the KeyBank Center ice when they learned his test results.

“Everything’s a concern ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Don Granato leaves NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, travels to Boston

Don Granato’s Saturday began in the predawn hours in Buffalo. The coach knew he was close to clearing the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. So receiving good test results meant he join the Sabres in Boston for their matinee.

“I was waiting literally minute by minute in hopes of being here,” Granato said on a Zoom call prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins at TD Garden.

When Granato received clearance, he hopped on ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza, Jeff Skinner leave COVID-19 protocol

Sabres wingers Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner have left the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and could play in this afternoon’s road game against the Boston Bruins, according to The Buffalo News.

Hinostroza, 27, and Skinner, 29, practiced with the Sabres on Friday in Boston.

“Both will be available, if that’s the direction we decide,” assistant Matt Ellis, who’s subbing for head coach Don Granato, told the paper.

... Read the full article