Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres maintain focus, bounce back by beating Lightning: ‘We needed that’

BUFFALO – Just over halfway into Saturday afternoon’s entertaining 5-3 win, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin appeared to have Anthony Cirelli lined up for an open-ice hit before both players suddenly moved.

Dahlin and Cirelli got tangled, and the Tampa Bay Lightning center quickly chased down his opponent, igniting a melee as the Sabres led 2-1. As Cirelli kept Dahlin pinned on the ice, Sabres winger Jeff Skinner zoomed in to help.

Skinner and Cirelli each ... Read the full article

Sabres believe Jordan Greenway can reach new levels: ‘A lot of potential’

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato and newcomer Jordan Greenway go back nearly 10 years, to their days together at the U.S. National Team Development program.

Having coached Greenway as a teenager, Granato has a unique understanding of the 6-foot-6, 231-pound winger’s skill set and potential.

“There’s lots of players in the league I’m very familiar with and coached,” Granato said of Greenway, who was acquired from the Minnesota Wild prior to Friday’s trade deadline. ... Read the full article

GM Kevyn Adams becomes emotional talking about Sabres; Trade for Jordan Greenway beefs team up

BUFFALO – Following Friday’s trade deadline, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams was talking about his excitement for the stretch run when, suddenly, he became choked up.

For the first time in years, the Sabres are playing meaningful late-season games as they fight to end an NHL-record playoff drought. In the hours before the deadline, Adams beefed up his team by trading for hulking winger Jordan Greenway. On Monday, he acquired defenseman Riley Stillman.... Read the full article

Trade deadline: Sabres acquire Jordan Greenway from Wild, swap AHL D

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon added to their forward corps shortly before the 3 p.m. trade deadline, acquiring winger Jordan Greenway from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second-round pick this year and a fifth-rounder in 2024.

The 6-foot-6, 231-pound Greenway, 26, played junior hockey for Sabres coach Don Granato at the U.S. National Team Development Program.

Greenway has endured a rough season, compiling just two goals and seven points in 45 games. ... Read the full article

Standing pat at trade deadline might benefit Sabres in long run

BUFFALO – It can be hard to argue with the philosophy that has helped the Sabres quickly morph into a playoff contender.

For two years, general manager Kevyn Adams has stuck to his plan, refusing to make any moves that might jeopardize the Sabres’ long-term future. He has trusted his young talent, and they’ve rewarded him by becoming one of the NHL’s slickest young teams.

In rising up the standings and arriving ahead of schedule, ... Read the full article

Riley Stillman ‘ecstatic’ about trade to Sabres, sees something special building

BUFFALO – Watching the Sabres as an opponent over the past two seasons, newcomer Riley Stillman said he noticed something special in the group.

Beyond the talent they possessed – “They’re a team that we didn’t want to play against,” he said – the defenseman saw players who were buying in and showcasing a desire to win for each other.

“You look down the bench from the visiting team and a guy scores (and) they’re ... Read the full article

Sabres injury update: Rasmus Dahlin could miss next two games

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who’s day to day with a lower-body injury, will likely miss the next two games, coach Don Granato said.

Granato said Dahlin will miss tonight’s road game against the Boston Bruins and that he doesn’t expect him to play in Saturday afternoon’s home contest versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Dahlin skated for the first time own his own Wednesday morning after missing the last two games.... Read the full article

Sabres’ home woes continue in loss to Blue Jackets: ‘We were not sharp’

BUFFALO – Call it a classic trap game. As the Sabres battle for their first playoff berth in 12 years, they have a loaded schedule in the coming days.

Contests against the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, superstar Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, and the New York Islanders, a team they’re chasing, are on the horizon.

First, however, the Sabres had Tuesday’s game against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets who rank dead last in ... Read the full article

After assignment to Rochester, Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza happy to be back

BUFFALO – After clearing waivers and reporting for his first stint in the minors in more than five years, a much-needed opportunity quickly materialized for Sabres winger Vinnie Hinostroza.

Of course, under normal circumstances, Hinostroza, 28, wouldn’t have been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

“Vinnie went to Rochester on circumstance, not on play,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Sunday. “… He’s an NHL hockey player.”

But for about a month, Hinostroza, who signed ... Read the full article

After acquiring Riley Stillman in trade, Sabres intrigued to see newcomer

BUFFALO – Through parts of five NHL seasons, Sabres defenseman Riley Stillman has bounced around a bit, playing 140 games for three teams. A young player like him has spent much of his career simply trying to survive and conform to the coach’s and organization’s expectations, Don Granato said.

“Through that process, you’re accumulating a lot of experience but you’re playing to almost not make a mistake because you’ve moved around a little bit,” Granato ... Read the full article