The Sabres reclaimed Derek Grant on Monday. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Derek Grant happy back with Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres center Derek Grant thought he had finally scored that elusive first NHL goal Jan. 17 in Vancouver, his hometown.

Scoring opportunities have been scarce for Grant, but a golden one materialized with a loose puck in the crease against the Canucks, one of six games he played with the Nashville Predators.

Grant furiously whacked away at the puck as goalie Ryan Miller tried to cover it up. He eventually put it in ... Read the full article

The Sabres got Derek Grant back on Monday. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Derek Grant searching for first NHL goal

BUFFALO – Sabres center Derek Grant thought he had finally scored that elusive first NHL goal Jan. 17 in Vancouver, his hometown.

Scoring opportunities have been scarce for Grant, but a golden one materialized with a loose puck in the crease against the Canucks, one of six games he played with the Nashville Predators.

Grant furiously whacked away at the puck as goalie Ryan Miller tried to cover it up. He eventually put it in ... Read the full article

Anders Nilsson has been sporting a Pride Flag on the back of his mask. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Anders Nilsson proud to be ambassador for ‘Hockey is for Everyone’

BUFFALO – When the Edmonton Oilers held their annual skills competition last season, goalie Anders Nilsson and his teammates wrapped their stick blades with a new rainbow-colored tape.

Using Pride Tape, which promotes inclusiveness in sports, got Nilsson, now the Sabres’ backup netminder, thinking.

“They said we were the first team in North America to do that,” Nilsson said Sunday. “That’s when … I thought, ‘Why not be the first goalie to put it on ... Read the full article

Derek Grant began the season with the Sabres. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Full Sabres roster pushed Derek Grant to Amerks

BUFFALO – OK, so if the Sabres need a fourth-line center – they’ve been using Nick Deslauriers sparingly in that spot, forcing them to essentially use only three trios – why did they assign Derek Grant to the Rochester Americans?

When the Sabres reclaimed Grant on waivers Monday, it was assumed they would utilize him as their No. 4 pivot. After all, Grant played 35 games in that role before the Nashville Predators claimed him ... Read the full article

Derek Grant (27) battles Winnipeg’s Ben Chiarot on Jan. 7. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres claim Derek Grant off waivers

BUFFALO – The Sabres reclaimed center Derek Grant off waivers from the Nashville Predators today and sent him to the Rochester Americans.

Grant started the season with the Sabres, playing 35 games. But Nashville grabbed the 26-year-old on waivers Jan. 11, and he played six games with the Predators, who waived him Sunday.

Grant offers the Sabres, who struggled to replace him, a fourth-line center. They have been using winger Nick Deslauriers for a ... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian (47) is tied up by Dallas’ Antoine Roussel on Jan. 16. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian out Monday; Predators waive Derek Grant

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres practiced this morning following Saturday’s 4-0 win against Ottawa:

Defenseman Zach Bogosian, day-to-day with a muscle/rib injury, won’t accompany the team to New Jersey for Monday’s tilt against the Devils, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. Bogosian hasn’t skated since getting injured Thursday.

Rookie winger William Carrier, out with knee injury, has a bone bruise, Bylsma said.

“It’s a wear-and-tear injury ... Read the full article

Derek Grant played 35 games with the Sabres. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Predators claim Derek Grant from Sabres

BUFFALO – As noon, the end of the 24-hour waiver period, approached, Derek Grant was told to stop practicing with the Sabres and leave the ice.

Why?

The Nashville Predators claimed the center on waivers today, robbing the Sabres of some valuable depth they wanted to send to the AHL Rochester Americans.

“It’s a new experience for me,” Grant, who was still wearing his Sabres jersey and equipment, told the Times Herald. “Obviously, I’m excited ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo has produced offense this season. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo thrilled with NHL All-Star selection

BUFFALO – So far, just 39 games into his career here, Kyle Okposo has lived up to his billing as one of the NHL’s most underrated scorers. The winger has quietly been the Sabres’ most consistent forward, compiling 12 goals and 27 points, both team highs.

Okposo’s strong season was rewarded Tuesday with a spot in the NHL All-Star Game for the first time in his 10-year career. The Minnesota native will represent the Atlantic ... Read the full article

Robin Lehner has played 27 games this season. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner out against Flyers; Update: Derek Grant on waivers

BUFFALO – The flu bug going around the Sabres dressing room has hit goalie Robin Lehner, so the Swede will miss tonight’s tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Backup Anders Nilsson will sub, his third start in four games. Expect a goalie, most likely Linus Ullmark, to be recalled. Sabres coach Dan Bylsma wouldn’t confirm Ullmark was coming up, however.

Update: Ullmark has officially been recalled.

Bylsma said no other players are sick.

With ... Read the full article

Tyler Ennis has missed 27 games. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis tests groin injury

BUFFALO – Before Tyler Ennis can return from a groin injury that has sidelined him 27 games, the Sabres must put the shifty winger through difficult practices featuring rough battle drills and bumping from heavy bodies.

Ennis, who underwent surgery Nov. 10, responded well to the arduous session today inside KeyBank Center. So, could the Sabres’ longest-tenured player be close to returning?

“We’re getting close, just need a few more sessions like that,” Ennis said.... Read the full article