Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres beat Penguins in shootout to continue hottest stretch in years

BUFFALO – Each win the Sabres earn these days feels like the kind of game they would’ve lost earlier this season.

Take, for example, Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, a game in which they blew three leads, including one late in the third period before center Tage Thompson and winger Alex Tuch scored shootout goals.

In the recent past, they probably would’ve wilted down the stretch, especially against the NHL’s best road ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza wants to stay, feels something special building

BUFFALO – Winger Vinnie Hinostroza said he reads Twitter, so he knew all about the negativity surrounding the Sabres.

But while exploring his options as a free agent last summer, Hinostroza, 27, saw an opportunity in Buffalo. He talked to Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Don Granato and learned about their vision for the team.

Hinostroza liked what he heard, and he signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract.

The American had a good ... Read the full article

Sidney Crosby, Penguins present stiff challenge Sabres embrace

BUFFALO – The next few weeks present a stiff challenge coach Don Granato welcomes. Starting with tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Sabres play 12 teams in a playoff spot or knocking on the door in their next 13 contests.

Granato know if the Sabres, winners of four of their last five games, including two straight, want to keep improving, they need to face some of the NHL’s top competition.

In Pittsburgh, which is ... Read the full article

No trade, no problem: Craig Anderson still ‘enthusiastic’ about gig with Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Craig Anderson felt comfortable with either scenario that could’ve unfolded as the trade deadline approached.

If the Sabres dealt him to a contender – Florida, where he has a home, appeared to be the likeliest destination – he would’ve embraced a background role. Having spent much of last season on the Washington Capitals’ taxi squad, he knows how to handle the difficult job as the second or third netminder.

Staying put ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Don Granato happy trade deadline has passed

BUFFALO – Just like his players, Sabres coach Don Granato feels relieved the trade deadline has passed.

All the speculation about who’s potentially coming or going ended Monday afternoon, and for the final six weeks this season, Granato has his team.

“Before the deadline, you talk about, ‘Hey, this is our team and we’re a team and play as a team,’” Granato said following Tuesday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “And let’s face it, in professional ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Fitzgerald nearing return from upper-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Casey Fitzgerald practiced Tuesday, his first session since suffering an upper-body injury March 10.

Fitzgerald, however, won’t play in Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center.

Right now, the Sabres have a surfeit of defensemen, so coach Don Granato won’t rush Fitzgerald, 25, back into the lineup. Fitzgerald, who has missed the last four games, practiced Tuesday beside Will Butcher.... Read the full article

After Robert Hagg deal, Sabres could make more trades before deadline

BUFFALO – Expect a quiet deadline day for the Sabres. General manager Kevyn Adams made one trade Sunday, sending defenseman Robert Hagg to the Florida Panthers. Perhaps a few more veterans on expiring contracts will be dealt before 3 p.m.

This deadline lacks the intrigue of a year ago, when Adams was trying to trade winger Taylor Hall, a free agent bust, or in 2020, when ex-GM Jason Botterill loaded up for a playoff ... Read the full article

If Sabres trade Craig Anderson, Mark Pysyk, could they return next season?

BUFFALO – When the Sabres signed a slew of cheap free agents to one-year contracts last summer, it appeared their tenures here would be short.

After a season or less, they might become expendable. Some of organization’s prospects would mature and the rebuilding Sabres might also acquire better talent.

Well, so far, some prospects – defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and Mattias Samuelsson, for example – have graduated from the minors and earned regular duty. Others like ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson earning trust, big minutes from Sabres: ‘An athletic giant’

BUFFALO – The poise Mattias Samuelsson possesses belies his experience. Barely 30 games into his NHL career, the Sabres consistently utilize the rookie against the opposition’s top talent.

On Thursday, Samuelsson faced Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. In Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the defenseman was often tasked with shutting down Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, one of the NHL’s elite duos.

At one point Sunday, with Marner roaring toward him, ... Read the full article

One year after hiring, Don Granato has dramatically changed the Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato kept rattling off names. There was Taylor Hall, Brandon Montour, Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Ristolainen and Eric Staal.

“I’m probably missing a couple more,” Granato said following Wednesday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter.

Then two more names, Jack Eichel and Jake McCabe, popped into his head.

One year ago today, Granato inherited a veteran-laden team at its nadir. The Sabres were 12 losses into what would become a stunning 18-game winless ... Read the full article