WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Training Camp Edition
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
Buffalo prospect Jack Quinn has emerged as one of the AHL’s top talents. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Buffalo Sabres prospect Jack Quinn has been recognized for his dynamic start with the Rochester Americans.
The AHL on Monday named Quinn, who recorded five goals and a whopping 10 points in his first six games this season, the Rookie of the Month for October.
Quinn, a winger the Sabres drafted eighth overall in 2020, has registered at least one goal or two points in four of the six contests. He surpassed last year’s point ... Read the full article
Don Granato feels COVID-19 is escalating around the Sabres. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Just minutes before Sunday afternoon’s game, the Los Angeles Kings placed forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Gabe Vilardi on the COVID-19 protocol-related absences list.
The San Jose Sharks, the Buffalo Sabres’ opponent Tuesday, placed seven players and coach Bob Boughner on the list prior to Saturday afternoon’s home contest, which was delayed 30 minutes. The Sharks had to recall five players from the San Jose Barracuda, their AHL affiliate.
COVID protocols forced the AHL to ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson has scored three goals in the last three games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson’s second-period goal Sunday afternoon felt like a back-breaker against the Los Angeles Kings.
Barely four minutes after winger Rasmus Asplund’s short-handed score, Olofsson capitalized on Jacob Bryson’s blocked shot, beating goalie Jonathan Quick from the slot after the defenseman poked the puck to him.
At the 7:39 mark, the Sabres led 2-0. The Kings, having won the previous afternoon, should’ve had less energy than the Sabres.
But Olofsson’s third goal ... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund scored two goals Thursday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
In the waning seconds of Thursday’s overtime, Buffalo Sabres winger Rasmus Asplund looked up ice, saw Victor Olofsson had room to maneuver at the blue line and fed his best friend a stretch pass.
As Asplund skated to the right circle, Olofsson cut left into the slot, splitting two Anaheim Ducks defenders before reaching the bottom of the left circle. The dizzying moves forced goalie Anthony Stolarz to overcommit, and as Olofsson fell to the ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson has already surpassed last season’s start total. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Right away this season, Sabres coach Don Granato learned why goalie Craig Anderson has enjoyed such remarkable longevity.
“On Day One when I saw him in shape and as serious and intent as he was, that’s all I needed to see,” Granato said of the 40-year-old, who’s beginning his first season in Buffalo. “Nothing surprised me after that.”
Forget that Anderson is the NHL’s oldest goalie and third-oldest player, trailing only defenseman Zdeno Chara (44) ... Read the full article
Robert Hagg (left) and Mark Pysyk have quickly developed a friendship. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres defensemen Robert Hagg and Mark Pysyk form a no-frills tandem. The newcomers’ simplicity is perhaps their greatest strength.
“We try to move the puck up north as quick as we can and try to close plays in the D-zone as quick as we can,” Hagg said following Wednesday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “I think that’s why we’ve been successful so far.”
That style, of course, can be a tad boring. Still, it ... Read the full article
Cody Eakin has missed the last three games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Center Cody Eakin accompanied the Sabres on their four-game road trip but will likely miss tonight’s contest against the Anaheim Ducks, coach Don Granato said.
Granato expects Eakin, who suffered an upper-body injury when he crashed into the net during a practice drill last Wednesday, to play later in the trip.
Eakin, 30, has missed the last three games. Granato said Eakin will be reevaluated after tonight’s game. The Sabres also play Sunday ... Read the full article