Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Sabres’ Colin Miller close to returning; Mark Jankowski clears waivers

BUFFALO – Defenseman Colin Miller, out the last 23 games after undergoing surgery, will play during the Sabres’ upcoming road trip, coach Don Granato said.

Miller, who was trying to play through an upper-body injury earlier this season, has missed the last 23 games.

The Sabres play the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday and the Calgary Flames on Friday before closing the trip against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens, Terry Pegula and what it means for the Sabres

BUFFALO – Dylan Cozens only remembers Terry Pegula mentioned the cross-check on Rasmus Dahlin. The rest of his interaction with the Sabres owner following his ejection from the Heritage Classic is a little fuzzy.

“I’m gonna be honest, I had a lot of adrenaline going so I don’t really remember too much,” the center said following Tuesday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter.

The maturation of a young team is often filled with seminal moments, and the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons close to returning; Mark Jankowski waived

BUFFALO – The uncertainty Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons experienced after he left the lineup in late January wore on him. The Latvian’s lower-body injury was related to the hamstring problem that forced him to miss all of last season.

“It was definitely mentally tough at the start where I kept going back and forth with how long I would be out,” Girgensons said following Tuesday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter. “It brought back flashbacks from last ... Read the full article

Heritage Classic win showcases bond Sabres have formed this season

HAMILTON, Ont. – Rookie Peyton Krebs was beginning to explain how the maturing Buffalo Sabres have started closing out tight games when goalie Craig Anderson interrupted his friend.

“Great goaltending,” Anderson chimed in under his breath following Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, offering his take as he “coughed.”

Anderson’s antics elicited laughs from Krebs and the media while further illustrating how close the Sabres have grown this season.... Read the full article