Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Injured Alex Tuch could play this week; Sabres send prospect to Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Alex Tuch, who has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, could return for Friday’s road game against the Winnipeg Jets, coach Don Granato said.

“I mentioned from the outset, he’s day to day so the issue he’s dealing with could have resolved in, say, 48 hours,” Granato said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “… He is waiting for the results so he has full mobility and full ... Read the full article

Sabres display skill, not enough work, in loss; Peyton Krebs scratched

PITTSBURGH – On the surface, pumping 35 shots on goal looks good, like the Buffalo Sabres created enough offense to win. Perhaps they just ran into a hot goalie.

While Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry played well in Saturday’s 4-0 win, he hardly stood on his head. The Sabres simply made it too easy for him in front of the 18,429 fans in PPG Paints Arena.

“We used our skill to create stuff but we didn’t ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Injured Alex Tuch misses game; Buffalo could make roster move

BUFFALO – As the Sabres convened for their optional morning skate, winger Alex Tuch emerged from the tunnel and joined his teammates on the ice.

But before the session started, Tuch, who’s battling an upper-body injury, left the ice. He missed Friday’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild at KeyBank Center.

“He’s dealing with some soreness that we’re hoping resolves sooner than later,” Sabres coach Don Granato said prior to the game. “It’s gotten better.”... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch still battling injury; Matt Savoie to make NHL debut

BUFFALO – As the Sabres convened for their optional morning skate, winger Alex Tuch emerged from the tunnel and joined his teammates on the ice.

But before the session started, Tuch, who’s battling an upper-body injury, left the ice. Coach Don Granato said he’s questionable for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild in KeyBank Center.

“He’s dealing with some soreness that we’re hoping resolves sooner than later,” Granato said this morning. “It’s gotten better.”

Granato ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Devon Levi adjusting to NHL, happy to share net

BUFFALO – After starting four games in eight days to kick off his rookie season, Sabres goalie Devon Levi took a backseat, playing just one of the next nine contests.

Levi, 21, spent 12 days recovering from a lower-body injury and when he returned, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 24, had found a groove.

So Sabres coach Don Granato recently began rotating the young netminders. If he holds to it, Levi will play tonight’s game ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch injured; Matt Savoie could make NHL debut this weekend

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Matt Savoie subbed for injured winger Alex Tuch during Thursday’s practice, skating alongside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner.

So, could Savoie, 19, make his NHL debut tonight against the Minnesota Wild at KeyBank Center?

Coach Don Granato said the Sabres are “leaning toward using” the youngster this weekend. They also play a road game Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.... Read the full article

Rookie Ryan Johnson impresses Sabres, earns big minutes with Rasmus Dahlin

BUFFALO – Ryan Johnson needed barely eight minutes of ice time to convince the Sabres he deserved a bigger role. So, fresh off his impressive NHL debut, they awarded the defenseman duty alongside Rasmus Dahlin.

In limited action Saturday in Toronto, Johnson, 22, had quickly showcased maturity and poise that belied his neophyte status. His ability to acclimate in a hostile environment against a strong Maple Leafs team impressed the Sabres.

Still, despite giving ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens practices after ill-advised fight, says he learned lesson

BUFFALO – Sabres center Dylan Cozens said he has learned his lesson.

In the future, don’t expect to see him picking fights with heavyweights like he did as frustration overwhelmed him late in Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

“It probably won’t happen like that again,” Cozens said Wednesday after returning to practice in KeyBank Center wearing a full face shield.

Cozens, 22, also sported protection over his nose, which likely means it’s broken, ... Read the full article

With Devon Levi healthy, Sabres will likely rotate goalies

BUFFALO – When the season began, the Sabres wanted goalie Devon Levi to experience the harshness of a long NHL schedule, so the rookie started four straight games.

“I wanted him to feel some grind and quick preparation and quick turnaround and battle,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “So I think he gained a lot of experience from that that’s going to help him the rest of his career, ... Read the full article

After strong stint with Rochester, Matt Savoie rejoins Sabres, could play soon; Dylan Cozens close to returning

BUFFALO – Having just returned from a conditioning loan, Sabres prospect Matt Savoie won’t make his NHL debut tonight in Carolina. Coach Don Granato wants to put him into positions he will succeed, so he doesn’t feel comfortable playing him against the Hurricanes after one practice.

In the near future, however, the Sabres will likely give Savoie, 19, a chance to showcase his talents. The slick forward stood out in the AHL, scoring two goals ... Read the full article