Ryan O’Reilly scores his first goal Monday afternoon. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly responds to move to left wing

BUFFALO – Three games into the season, Ryan O’Reilly, the shiny acquisition the Sabres recently awarded a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension and touted as their No. 1 center, has already been shifted to the left wing.

In an attempt to ignite his struggling top line Monday afternoon, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma moved Zemgus Girgensons to center between O’Reilly and Tyler Ennis for the Sabres’ 4-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets inside the ... Read the full article

Nathan Lieuwen enjoyed a strong training camp. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres have goaltending options with Robin Lehner out 6-10 weeks

BUFFALO – The news on Robin Lehner, as expected, was bad. A high ankle sprain will sideline the starting goalie six to 10 weeks, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Sunday.

“It’s not a complete surprise to get the results and have that be the timeframe,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center.

So Lehner, who has been wheeling around the rink on a cart with his No. 40 and a Sabres logo, could possibly ... Read the full article

Robin Lehner was injured Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner out 6-10 weeks with high ankle sprain

BUFFALO – The news on Robin Lehner, as expected, was bad. A high ankle sprain will sideline the starting goalie six to 10 weeks, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon.

Lehner injured his right ankle almost halfway through Thursday’s season opener, his Sabres debut.

“It’s not a complete surprise to get the results and have that be the timeframe,” Bylsma said following practice.

Check back for more later on Lehner, who has been wheeling ... Read the full article

Evan Kane (9) has mostly played with Jack Eichel (15). ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres coach Dan Bylsma constantly tinkering with lines

BUFFALO – After some fourth-line duty in the season opener, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma rewarded Jamie McGinn with a plum assignment as the right winger beside rookie center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane early Saturday afternoon.

McGinn, however, didn’t last long on the second line.

Bylsma moved Marcus Foligno up beside Eichel early. Zemgus Girgensons, who practiced with Eichel on Friday, also received some time. So did Tyler Ennis and Sam Reinhart. Then McGinn went ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel celebrates his first NHL goal. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jack Eichel scores in NHL debut

BUFFALO – For the first two periods of his NHL debut, Jack Eichel blended in among the other 10 skaters on the ice. The slick Sabres center looked like, well, a rookie playing against superior competition.

Then suddenly, like he somehow matured over a brief intermission, Eichel, 18, morphed into the best player on the ice late in the Sabres’ 3-1 opening-night loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

“You didn’t see him skate in ... Read the full article

Robin Lehner struggled during the preseason. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner knows he’s a question mark

BUFFALO – As a Swedish import, Sabres newcomer Robin Lehner isn’t a big football fan. But after arriving here in August, the goalie started following the Buffalo Bills a little bit.

“A lot of people talk about their defense and how good their defense and stuff are, but people start questioning the quarterback a little bit,” Lehner said this morning prior to the season opener. “I feel like I’m a little bit in the same ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart has played all three forward spots this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sam Reinhart won’t stay with Sabres as scratch

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ top two lines, while they could still be rearranged, appear to be set. So is the fourth line.

So four days before opening night, only the third line, which currently comprises center Johan Larsson and Zemgus Girgensons, Jamie McGinn and Sam Reinhart, a center-turned-winger, has a spare.

Reinhart, given his age, 19, and rawness – he has played only nine NHL games and is learning a new position – could be ... Read the full article

Evander Kane (9) tries to move around Columbus’ Kevin Connauton on Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres close preseason with ugly loss

BUFFALO – For almost 40 minutes Friday, much of the optimism the Sabres created early in the preseason vanished as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ junior varsity squad throttled a lineup filled with stars and regular talent.

The Blue Jackets scored on two of their first three shots and led 3-0 after the first period. When they went up 5-0 8:15 into the second period, the Sabres had five shots.

“It wasn’t at all how ... Read the full article

Johan Larsson finished last season as the Sabres’ top center. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres suddenly possess impressive center depth

BUFFALO – Dan Bylsma wanted to count them all first. So before the coach talked about the impressive center depth the Sabres have quickly assembled, he rattled off each one on the roster.

When Bylsma stopped, he had named eight: Ryan O’Reilly, No. 2 overall pick Jack Eichel, Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson, David Legwand, Sam Reinhart and Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno, two wingers with experience down the middle.... Read the full article

Dan Bylsma keeps wondering whose loud voice he’s hearing. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Goalie Robin Lehner to start against Senators; Jack Eichel out

BUFFALO – The voice is so loud, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma keeps looking back on the ice and wondering who the heck is yelling.

“His voice is like his size, it’s big,” Bylsma said about 6-foot-5 goalie Robin Lehner, who will start Wednesday’s preseason home opener inside the First Niagara Center against his old team, the Ottawa Senators.

Lehner, as anyone who has watched a training camp practice quickly learned, loves to communicate on the ... Read the full article