Hall - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Casey Mittelstadt final Sabres player removed COVID-19 absences list

Forward Casey Mittelstadt late this afternoon was the final Sabres player removed from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list.

The Sabres, who had nine players on the list last week, have no one on it for the first time since Feb. 1.

Four Sabres who landed on the absences list – defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Jake McCabe and wingers Taylor Hall and Tobias Rieder – played at least one game against the New York Islanders ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tobias Rieder returns to lineup, Buffalo adds new players

BUFFALO – When Sabres winger Tobias Rieder learned earlier this month he had tested positive for COVID-19, the news shocked him.

The German felt fine. He figured the result couldn’t be correct.

“But sure enough, a couple hours after I could feel the symptoms,” Rieder said prior to Monday’s 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ first outing since Jan. 31.

Rieder, 28, said he experienced “a rough couple days.” ... Read the full article

Three Sabres return from COVID-19 absences, say they tested positive

BUFFALO – Three Sabres on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list – winger Tobias Rieder and defensemen Jake McCabe and Brandon Montour all acknowledged they tested positive – skated with their teammates again this morning.

Now, will they play tonight against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center?

“They remain day-to-day candidates and we’d like to consume, digest what happened here this morning,” said coach Ralph Krueger, whose Sabres haven’t played since Jan. 31.

Krueger ... Read the full article

Ralph Krueger returns to Sabres: ‘Time to realize how lethal this COVID is’

BUFFALO – Ralph Krueger only stayed on the ice about 15 minutes. After the Sabres coach chatted with several players and exchanged some fist-bumps, he left and watched Sunday’s practice from the KeyBank Center stands.

But just having an opportunity to touch the ice for a spell and enjoy some brief interactions helped recharge Krueger, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 4.

“Just this morning, when the players arrived and we passed each other, ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, Rasmus Dahlin return to practice

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ralph Krueger and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin returned to practice this morning following COVID-19-related absences.

Krueger, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 4, is wearing an N95 mask and has been skating around the KeyBank Center ice talking to some players. Assistant coach Steve Smith is still leading the session.

Update: Krueger left the ice after about 15 minutes.

Post-practice update: Krueger said he will see how he feels Monday morning ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Taylor Hall felt asymptomatic after positive COVID-19 test

BUFFALO – Taylor Hall knows he’ll feel a little rusty. The winger had to complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. He returned to practice Saturday, giving him just two sessions to prepare for the Sabres’ next game.

Still, Hall, who said he was asymptomatic, plans to play in Monday’s home game against the New York Islanders.

“There’s no better way to get back into it than to throw yourself in and ... Read the full article

Taylor Hall returns to practice; Sabres add three players from Amerks

BUFFALO – Winger Taylor Hall, who was added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list on Feb. 2, is practicing with the Sabres this morning inside KeyBank Center.

The Sabres still have eight players in the league’s COVID protocol. They’re scheduled to host the New York Islanders on Monday.

Hall, 29, is practicing at left wing beside center Eric Staal and Sam Reinhart. Jeff Skinner, meanwhile, is at left wing with top center Jack ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel confident he will play better: ‘Going to start to take off’

BUFFALO – Following nearly a 10-month break, an upper-body injury forced captain Jack Eichel to wait an extra five days to join training camp. Then after having barely a week of practice, the Sabres began a dizzying run of 10 games over 18 days.

So when the Sabres started an eight-day COVID-19 pause last week, Eichel, 24, used the unexpected break as an opportunity to let his body recover and examine his game.

“It took ... Read the full article

Sabres thrilled to be back, believe they can grow from COVID adversity

BUFFALO – The COVID-19 protocols the NHL implemented this season have stymied off-ice activities.

Wanna grab a bite to eat or check out a museum on the road? Wanna stop over after practice and play Xbox? Forget about it. Socializing is kept to the bare minimum.

The Sabres added eight new faces this season, so enjoying a team dinner or group outing would’ve helped the players become familiar with each other.

“You can’t go get ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin added to COVID-related absences list; Sabres plan to practice

On Monday morning, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin became the ninth Buffalo Sabres player added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list. Hours later, the league postponed two more of the team’s games.

In a best-case scenario, if the Sabres can play their next scheduled contest in six days, they will have gone 15 days between games and have six they must make up.

Of course, that is a big if. So far, the league has removed ... Read the full article