WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Mark Pysyk has played all 12 games this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Mark Pysyk hasn’t enjoyed a prominent role like this in years. For two seasons, the Sabres defenseman moved around and out of the lineup, often moonlighting as a winger when he wasn’t scratched.
Pysyk, 29, signed a one-year, $900,000 contract to return to the Sabres, in part because he wanted to play defense regularly again. So far, he has played all 12 games this season on the blue line, averaging 18 minutes, 20 ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson has missed the last four games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Winger Victor Olofsson’s soft tissue injury will likely sideline him for the fifth consecutive game Friday against the Edmonton Oilers, Sabres coach Don Granato said.
Olofsson, 26, did not practice Wednesday. When the Swede missed his first game Oct. 28 against the San Jose Sharks, the Sabres believed his absence would be short.
Granato said when the Sabres returned from their four-game western road trip, imaging told them Olofsson is still considered day ... Read the full article
Dustin Tokarski battled deflections from Washington on Monday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres’ torrid start is starting to feel like a distant memory. Monday’s 5-3 road loss to the Washington Capitals was their fifth consecutive setback.
On Oct. 28, after their 4-3 overtime victory against the Anaheim Ducks, the Sabres ranked second in the Atlantic Division, just three points behind the Florida Panthers. Today, they stand fifth in the division, nine points behind the first-place Panthers.
On Monday at Capital One Arena, the Sabres fell ... Read the full article
Arttu Ruotsalainen scored at the net again Saturday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In trying to evolve and score more goals, Sabres center Arttu Ruotsalainen has embraced a saying from his native Finland.
Ruotsalainen, 24, understands he can’t simply rely on his lethal shot from the perimeter. What worked in Europe and during his brief stint in the AHL won’t translate to success in the NHL.
To consistently score, the 5-foot-9, 187-pound rookie knows he must go to the net and battle for “dirty goals.”
“We ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson could return soon. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Goalie Craig Anderson is day to day with an upper-body injury, so the Sabres this morning recalled Aaron Dell from the Rochester Americans.
So, does that mean Dustin Tokarski, who has performed splendidly in his four starts this season, will play tonight against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center? Sabres coach Don Granato said this morning he hasn’t decided on his starting goalie.
Update: Tokarski is starting tonight.
So far, Tokarski has ... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs made his Rochester debut Friday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – Peyton Krebs woke up in his Ottawa hotel room Thursday morning after having what he called a “weird dream” and checked his phone. Immediately, his heart started racing.
Krebs, who was expecting to play for the Vegas Golden Knights that night, had a few missed calls from general manager Kelly McCrimmon.
Around 6 or 7 a.m., Krebs, 20, learned the Buffalo Sabres acquired him in the blockbuster trade that sent star center Jack ... Read the full article
Alex Tuch has scored 61 goals in the NHL. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
In trading ex-captain Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Buffalo Sabres acquired no immediate help for their lineup.
Winger Alex Tuch, who grew up in Baldwinsville rooting for the Sabres, is recovering from shoulder surgery. General manager Kevyn Adams said Tuch will likely be sidelined two more months.
Meanwhile, shortly after the deal was announced, the Sabres assigned center prospect Peyton Krebs, who has 13 games of NHL experience, to the Rochester ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel spent six seasons in Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Jack Eichel saga ended this morning after nearly six months, with the Buffalo Sabres trading their disgruntled former captain to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for two players and two picks.
The Sabres received forwards Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch, a first-round pick in 2022 and a second-round pick in 2023 for the dynamic center. They also sent the Golden Knights a third-round pick in 2023. The first-rounder is top-10 protected.
The ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner scored twice Tuesday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
As the Buffalo Sabres roared out to a surprising start this season, they established a simple, straightforward identity by playing so aggressively.
Given their lack of star power, that style has become their bread and butter. If they get away from it, well, losses like Tuesday’s 5-3 setback to the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center will happen.
The Sabres faced a Sharks team ravaged by COVID-19 and ripe to be exploited. Seven players and ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson has gotten off to a hot start. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Leading scorer Victor Olofsson is questionable for the Buffalo Sabres’ road game tonight against the San Jose Sharks.
Olofsson, 26, has been battling a soft tissue injury. The Sabres held the Swede out of their game day skate at SAP Center.
“He had an injury or an aggravation in a spot we just don’t want to aggravate it, so we’re doing a little bit more on it,” Sabres coach Don Granato said on a Zoom ... Read the full article
