WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Don Granato joined Buffalo as an assistant coach in 2019. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The new contract the Sabres awarded coach Don Granato illustrates the much-needed stability they’ve developed under general manager Kevyn Adams.
Over the past six weeks, Adams, Granato, leading scorer Tage Thompson and top-pair defenseman Mattias Samuelsson have all signed extensions.
On Wednesday, the eve of the season opener, the Sabres announced Granato’s “multi-year” contract and Samuelsson’s seven-year, $30 million deal within an hour.... Read the full article
Don Granato took over the Sabres in 2020-21. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In signing coach Don Granato to a multi-year contract extension, the Sabres have stability behind the bench they haven’t enjoyed since Lindy Ruff’s tenure in the early 2000s.
In inking Mattias Samuelsson to a seven-year, $30 million deal, they locked up a 22-year-old first-pair defenseman.
This morning was very significant for the Sabres, who open the season Thursday against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article
The Sabes are confident JJ Peterka (left) and Jack Quinn will keep developing in the NHL. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres rookie JJ Peterka stood before the media in his sweat-soaked practice uniform, a smile etched on his face.
On Monday, general manager Kevyn Adams called Peterka, 20, and Jack Quinn, 21, and informed them they had earned a spot in the Sabres’ opening night lineup.
Two years ago, after drafting Quinn eighth overall, Adams moved up to take Peterka with the 34th pick after the German surprisingly fell out of ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo was injured last week. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo has been cleared to play after suffering an upper-body last week, coach Don Granato said.
Okposo, 34, practiced fully Tuesday, skating at right wing beside center Rasmus Asplund and Zemgus Girgensons.
“He won’t be denied,” Don Granato said following the session at LECOM Harborcenter. “… Evident by the way he competes in practice, he’s ready to go.”... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo talks to the media Monday about becoming Buffalo’s captain. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato acknowledged the Sabres could’ve named Kyle Okposo their new captain long before Saturday. But in waiting, fans could get to know the team, watch it develop and understand the 16-year veteran’s influence on the group.
“Everybody now has seen enough of Kyle to realize that this is the right move for our organization,” Granato said following Monday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter. “That I’m real proud of. It’s not like we ... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund played a career-high 80 games last season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – From his perch above the ice last spring at Nokia Arena, Sabres coach Don Granato proudly watched Rasmus Asplund’s exploits for Team Sweden.
Asplund, 24, carried the confidence he generated during his first full NHL season into the World Championship, seizing a starring role in Tampere, Finland.
Over two weeks, he morphed into a first-line winger and his country’s most utilized forward, scoring six goals in eight games.... Read the full article
Lawrence Pilut is one of several defensemen Buffalo signed during the summer. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres have likely known for months which seven defensemen will comprise their opening night roster.
Jacob Bryson, Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, Casey Fitzgerald, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson entrenched themselves on the blue line last season. In signing Ilya Lyubushkin in free agency, the Sabres added a gritty veteran presence they lacked.
But what about the rest of the defense corps? Given the rugged nature of the position, defensemen are always at ... Read the full article
Vinnie Hinostroza re-signed with Buffalo during the summer. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres scratched Victor Olofsson for Tuesday’s preseason game, so Vinnie Hinostroza earned a promotion to the top line, skating at right wing beside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner.
Early in the 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, Hinostroza grabbed a nifty pass from Skinner high in the slot and roofed a shot in as he zoomed to the net.
On Wednesday, the Sabres, having lost Kyle Okposo to an upper-body ... Read the full article
Jack Quinn played his first two games with Buffalo last season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Early in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory, Sabres prospect Jack Quinn aggressively cut from the left wing into the slot, zipped by a defender and released a low, hard shot toward the far side from one knee.
While Quinn, 21, did not score – Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov made a terrific pad save – the slick play illustrated the youngster’s burgeoning confidence.
“That’s just my game,” Quinn said following Wednesday’s session of training camp ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo left Tuesday’s preseason win early. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato said winger Kyle Okposo, who suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday’s 4-2 exhibition win, could be ready for next Thursday’s season opener.
“It’s going to take a few days for him,” Granato said following Wednesday’s session of training camp at KeyBank Center. “The issue he’s dealing with will resolve. … You’ll probably see him on the ice in a couple of days.”
Okposo left the game against the ... Read the full article