Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Under coach Don Granato, Sabres’ Jeff Skinner has matured, added offense

BUFFALO – For most of his career, the hockey world labeled Jeff Skinner as a one-dimensional player: the shifty Sabres winger scored goals and that was about it.

Ex-Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, who nearly destroyed Skinner’s career, once famously said the popular veteran “measured his whole career on goals.”

“When I came in, he was known as a 40-goal scorer and now he’s so much more than that to me,” coach Don Granato, who ... Read the full article

Sabres wanted Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to develop in Buffalo instead of going to Rochester for playoffs

BUFFALO – In his four-year pro career, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has never played a postseason game.

The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs two straight years. Last year, Luukkonen suffered an injury late in the regular season and missed the Rochester Americans’ 10-game playoff run.

This year, the Sabres did not make Luukkonen, who started the season in Rochester, available to the Amerks, who open the playoffs Friday.

... Read the full article

Despite using Devon Levi late, Sabres high on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

BUFFALO – In his first days in the NHL, Sabres goalie Devon Levi looked so impressive that coach Don Granato kept riding the neophyte.

Levi, 21, turned heads in his debut March 31, so after starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen the next night, Granato utilized the newcomer for five consecutive do-or-die games before the Sabres were eliminated from playoff contention.

The Sabres’ reliance on Levi for a stretch of critical late-season contests raised some eyebrows. The ... Read the full article

Sabres want to re-sign veterans Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons; Buffalo waiting to hear from Ryan Johnson

BUFFALO – General manager Kevyn Adams wants to give captain Kyle Okposo and alternate captain Zemgus Girgensons, the Sabres’ longest-tenured player, time to decompress following a long season.

When the time is right, Adams plans to talk to the veterans, both of whom can become unrestricted free agents this summer, about returning to the Sabres.

“I want them back,” he said during Wednesday’s end-of-season news conference in KeyBank Center.

Okposo, 35, and Girgensons, 29, helped ... Read the full article

With Devon Levi in Buffalo, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen still sees future with Sabres

BUFFALO – As the Sabres fought furiously for their first playoff berth in 12 years, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen figured he’d be called upon for a critical late-season game.

Luukkonen, after all, led the team in wins as a rookie this season. He played 33 contests, emerging as the starter following his recall in mid-November. He performed so well the Sabres kept three goalies on the roster for nearly three months.

The Finn won huge games ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo proud of work with Sabres, quiet on future as contract expires

BUFFALO – Almost seven years ago, captain Kyle Okposo stood at a podium in KeyBank Center and explained he chose the Sabres as a free agent because he believed they possessed all the ingredients to win the Stanley Cup.

Today, with his $42 million contract about to expire, Okposo hasn’t played a single playoff series with the Sabres.

“But if I were to walk away and be done, I think I left here better than ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Craig Anderson enjoyed special connection with Buffalo fans

BUFFALO – Following his final NHL outing, Sabres goalie Craig Anderson enjoyed an emotional postgame salute from fans usually reserved for franchise icons.

The crowd Thursday in KeyBank Center roared as Anderson’s teammates swarmed him after center Casey Mittelstadt’s overtime goal secured a 4-3 triumph against the Ottawa Senators.

The cheering continued as Anderson, 41, had touching embraces with his current and former teammates and family.

Fans chanted, “Andy, Andy.” Anderson acknowledged their love, waving ... Read the full article

Sabres send goalie Craig Anderson into retirement with magical win: ‘This is it’

BUFFALO – After center Casey Mittelstadt scored 78 second into Thursday’s overtime, securing a storybook 4-3 victory in Craig Anderson’s final NHL game, the Sabres immediately skated down the ice and mobbed the veteran goalie.

What played out over the next 10 minutes was one of the most emotional scenes you’ll ever watch in a hockey rink.

Every teammate embraced Anderson, 41, on the KeyBank Center ice. When they finished, members of the Ottawa Senators, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson wanted to hit 50-goal mark

BUFFALO – At the beginning of the season, fresh off a breakout 38-goal campaign, Sabres star Tage Thompson wanted duplicate last year’s career-best output.

“If I could get around the same as I got last year, it would be successful and (I’d) be pretty happy with that,” Thompson said prior to Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ home finale.

Well, Thompson, 25, hit the 30-goal mark Jan. 3, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Craig Anderson wants to stay in moment; Mattias Samuelsson likely done for season

BUFFALO – A decision will be made later. Right now, Sabres goalie Craig Anderson isn’t ready to say if tonight’s start game will be the final of his decorated 20-year NHL career.

Of course, Anderson, 41, understands retirement is nearing.

“Age is creeping up,” the NHL’s oldest player said prior to the home finale against his old team, the Ottawa Senators, at KeyBank Center.

But Anderson simply wants to stay in the moment.... Read the full article