WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Alex Tuch grew up cheering for the Sabres. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When Sabres winger Alex Tuch met legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret earlier this season, he knew his father, Carl, would be jealous.
The Tuchs, proud Sabres fans from Baldwinsville, watched a lot of games together back in the day, and Jeanneret is a big deal to them.
“I told him that my dad was really jealous when I got to meet him one of my first games here,” Tuch said of Jeanneret, who ... Read the full article
Mattias Samuelsson has played 29 games for Buffalo this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – An undisclosed injury will likely keep Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson out of tonight’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, coach Don Granato said.
“He’s day-to-day,” Granato said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “He could be potential for tonight, but I don’t expect him tonight.”
The rookie did not skate this morning.
Update: Samuelsson is out tonight.
Granato said Samuelsson played through the injury and finished Monday’s 6-5 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Defenseman Mark ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin battles Rickard Rakell in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime win against Pittsburgh. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – It just happens sometimes, Rasmus Dahlin explained. The ultra-competitive defenseman has no real explanation for it. In the heat of the game, with his adrenaline pumping, he stands ups on the bench, leans over and yells to his Sabres teammates.
“Doesn’t it feel good to compete? Feels good to compete!” Sabres coach Don Granato said Dahlin has shouted. “(He does it) after a guy has a hard shift or he feels guys need ... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs could return to Rochester for the playoffs. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Post-trade deadline, NHL teams are allowed four non-emergency recalls. The Sabres quickly used three Monday to make winger Peyton Krebs and defensemen Casey Fitzgerald and Mattias Samuelsson eligible for the AHL playoffs.
The Sabres assigned the rookies to the Rochester Americans and “recalled” them in a paper transaction.
Right now, the Amerks, despite often using a patchwork lineup because of injuries and recalls, rank fourth in the North Division. If the postseason started ... Read the full article
Colin Miller is in his third season in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
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
Craig Anderson is in his first season in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
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 enjoyed Sunday afternoon’s Heritage Classic. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
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
Zemgus Girgensons hasn’t played since Jan. 25. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
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
Craig Anderson played in two outdoor games before he came to Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
HAMILTON, Ont. – Having already played in two outdoor games, Buffalo Sabres goalie Craig Anderson understands the unique energy fans often bring to the huge venues.
“I think everyone was 25 beers deep,” Anderson joked following Saturday’s practice at Tim Hortons Field.
As expected, Sabres coach Don Granato said Anderson, 40, will start this afternoon’s Heritage Classic against the Toronto Maple Leafs.... Read the full article
The Sabres salute the crowd following Thursday’s 3-1 win over Vegas. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – It wasn’t just ex-captain Jack Eichel that had the 12,437 fans at KeyBank Center going bonkers throughout Thursday’s wild 3-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
The tight, gritty game featured suspect officiating that drew the ire of the season-high crowd throughout the memorable night. There were also two fights in the intense affair between teams that meet just twice a season.
The Sabres have been playing before the smallest crowds in franchise ... Read the full article