Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ defensive woes continue in loss to Predators: ‘We will get through this’

BUFFALO – Ten losses in their last 12 games. A ghastly 59 goals allowed during that wretched stretch, the NHL’s worst figure. Four defeats by at least four goals.

Right now, the Sabres are a disaster. A month that began with so much promise – legitimate playoff hopes, a rarity in these parts – has become a nightmare.

Tuesday’s ugly 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators before a crowd of 13,043 fans at KeyBank Center ... Read the full article

Extra forwards, not performance, led to Sabres’ Tyson Jost getting scratched

BUFFALO – When coach Don Granato scratched Tyson Jost last week, he said he told the center the Sabres hadn’t lost their belief in him.

Of course, it would be understandable if Jost, a waiver claim in November, thought the worst. The Sabres are his third team since late last season. He knows what it’s like to lose a coach’s trust.

But Granato said he wanted “to reassure him that this decision is not rooted ... Read the full article

Predators’ Rasmus Asplund knows he did not do enough to keep spot with Sabres

BUFFALO – As the season dragged on and Rasmus Asplund remained a spare part, he would often talk to Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Don Granato about his uncertain future.

For a year and a half, Asplund, 25, had enjoyed regular duty. Last season, the Swede emerged as a dependable two-way forward while playing a career-high 80 games.

The Sabres, however, beefed up their forward depth this season, adding rookies JJ Peterka and ... Read the full article

Devon Levi thrilled to join Sabres, play games: ‘I’m so happy to be here’

BUFFALO – Last week, shortly after Northeastern’s season ended, goalie Devon Levi and his parents and agents went on a Zoom call to talk to Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, coach Don Granato and other members of the organization.

Levi, 21, developed a strong feel for the Sabres when he visited for development camp last summer. He liked what he experienced so much he said he did not want to leave town. He made new ... Read the full article

Devon Levi joins Sabres, immigration paperwork must be finalized

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie prospect Devon Levi arrived in town Saturday night and watched Sunday afternoon’s 7-0 loss to the Boston Bruins from the press box.

So when will Levi, who signed his entry-level contract Friday, practice with his new teammates? Sabres coach Don Granato said Levi, who’s Canadian, is “doubtful” for today’s session because his immigration paperwork must be finalized.

On Friday, general Kevyn Adams said Levi, a decorated college goalie at Northeastern, will ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early, get clobbered by Bruins: ‘We believe we’re still in it’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ regression over the past three weeks has been startling. After positioning themselves to compete for their first playoff spot in 12 years, they’ve imploded, dropping nine of their last 11 games.

The Sabres aren’t just losing; opponents are annihilating them. Sunday afternoon’s ugly 7-0 loss to the Boston Bruins marked the third time in their last 10 outings they’ve allowed seven or more goals and lost by at least six.

Since ... Read the full article

Sabres change forwards to keep them fresh; Will Devon Levi play this season?

BUFFALO – For four months, center Tyson Jost enjoyed regular duty. His arrival helped solidify the Sabres down the middle, giving them a two-way presence to pivot their third or fourth line.

But Jost sat out Friday’s 5-2 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers as a healthy scratch. So did winger JJ Peterka, a rookie who scored one goal and three points in the previous two games.

In their places, Sabres coach Don Granato ... Read the full article

If Sabres’ Alex Tuch returns from injury, Victor Olofsson could be scratched

TORONTO – Winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin both participated in the Buffalo Sabres’ well-attended optional skate this morning.

So, will they play tonight against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena? Sabres coach Don Granato said early this afternoon he hadn’t set the lineup.

“I don’t have any lineup decisions yet,” said Granato, whose Sabres have lost four straight games (0-3-1). “There’s a couple that need to be made.”

... Read the full article

Alex Tuch scores twice in return, helps Sabres roar back to beat Maple Leafs

TORONTO – Realistically, if the Buffalo Sabres couldn’t defeat the Maple Leafs on Monday, their faint playoff hopes were likely over.

They had been reeling, and the same team that briefly grabbed the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot late last month fell seven points behind as it lost four straight games and six of its last seven.

The Sabres must go on a late-season run, and in a hurry. Well, Monday’s 4-3 come-from-behind victory ... Read the full article

As Alex Tuch nears return, Sabres lose top D Mattias Samuelsson, Rasmus Dahlin to injuries

BUFFALO – Following a rough week in which they lost four straight games and their top two defensemen, the Sabres sorely needed a boost like the return of high-scoring winger Alex Tuch.

The Sabres have struggled without Tuch, losing six of the eight games he has missed recovering from a lower-body injury. They’re in danger of falling out of the playoff race, and now Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin have each suffered upper-body injuries.

So ... Read the full article