Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo ‘blown away’ by chance to speak at ‘Unstoppable Africa’

BUFFALO – During the summer, captain Kyle Okposo told the Sabres a special opportunity had materialized for him to speak at the Global Africa Business Initiative’s “Unstoppable Africa” conference in New York.

The event organized by the United Nations Global Compact was being held Friday, so Okposo needed to be excused from the second day of training camp. The Sabres, of course, had no problem letting him go.

“Everybody recognized the opportunity,” Okposo said following ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin ‘hated to play against’ new partner Connor Clifton

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton heard his new teammate, Rasmus Dahlin, feared him during his days with the Boston Bruins, and couldn’t believe it.

“He said that?” Clifton asked a reporter following Thursday’s opening session of training camp in KeyBank Center.

Dahlin sure did. He detested playing against Clifton, who relishes showcasing an aggressive, physical style that riles opponents.... Read the full article

Sabres open training camp with playoff expectations: ‘Our window’s open’

BUFFALO – It took nearly 12 years for the Sabres to reach this point. They endured failed rebuilds, regime changes and what felt like constant turmoil.

On Thursday, for the first time since 2011, the Sabres opened training camp feeling like they’re a legitimate contender for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

“Now it’s time,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said prior to the first session of camp in KeyBank Center. “Look, I think ... Read the full article

Contract talks intensifying for Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power

BUFFALO – In the week leading up to training camp, contract talks for Sabres defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power became “more intense, more frequent,” general manager Kevyn Adams said.

Still, nothing was completed before camp opened Thursday.

“I was on the phone with both of their agents for a long time late last night,” Adams said prior to Thursday’s opening session in KeyBank Center. “… No update on where we’re at. I don’t think ... Read the full article

Sabres begin training camp with Devon Levi, prospects and Victor Olofsson in spotlight

BUFFALO – The deepest and most talented Sabres team since the rollicking post-lockout days of the mid-2000s will hit the ice today shouldering the expectation it can end the franchise’s embarrassing 12-year playoff drought.

Coming off a season in which they fell one win short of the postseason, the Sabres begin training camp with three sessions at KeyBank Center.

They have a whopping 64 players on their camp roster: seven goalies, 21 defensemen and 36 ... Read the full article

Sabres celebrate life of Rick Jeanneret: ‘Greatest artist I have ever known’

BUFFALO – No one, Rebecca Way said, believes her story of Sabres fandom.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, she rooted for the Penguins. When they lost in the playoffs in 2007, she said she “bandwagoned” for the Sabres. She quickly fell in love with them, in part, through legendary play-by-play man’s Rick Jeanneret’s colorful broadcasting.

Way said Jeanneret, who died August 17 of multi-organ failure at 81, “made me feel like I was a part ... Read the full article

Rick Jeanneret left lasting impact with Sabres, community: ‘A way that you endeared to him’

In the moments after the Buffalo Sabres’ nightlong celebration of legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret ended in 2022, coach Don Granato did something out of character.

“RJ Night” had been perfect, as the Sabres rode the wave energy from an emotional pregame banner-raising ceremony to a thrilling victory before a raucous crowd.

As the special evening ended, Granato was prodded to put on a turtleneck and suspenders – a tribute to Jeanneret’s style – for ... Read the full article

Slick Mats Lindgren quietly emerging as strong Sabres defensive prospect

BUFFALO – At first glance, Sabres prospect Mats Lindgren’s junior season might look a bit underwhelming.

Yes, Lindgren scored a career-high 11 goals for the Red Deer Rebels. But his assist total dropped from 39 to 23 and his point total fell from 44 to 34.

Lindgren’s known as an offensive defenseman, and in his first junior season after the Sabres drafted him, he hardly posted eye-popping numbers.... Read the full article

New Amerks assistant coaches Vinny Prospal, Nathan Paetsch offer Sabres prospects notable experience

About six years ago, a mutual friend put Seth Appert and Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal in contact with each other.

Appert, now the Rochester Americans’ coach, was working at the U.S. National Team Development Program. Prospal, a veteran of 1,108 NHL games as a player, was coaching in the Tampa Scorpions youth organization.

As they chatted about hockey and player development, Appert realized how Prospal, who on Monday was named one of Rochester’s assistant coaches, embraced ... Read the full article

Sabres name Nathan Paetsch, Vinny Prospal assistant coaches with Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres today named former NHL players Nathan Paetsch and Vinny Prospal as assistant coaches on Seth Appert’s staff with the Rochester Americans.

They replace Mike Weber and Michael Peca, both of whom recently left the AHL team to take assistant coaching jobs in the NHL.

The Sabres also announced the coaching staffs in Buffalo and Rochester have received contract extensions. Sabres coach Don Granato earned an extension prior to last season.

Paetsch, 40, ... Read the full article