Housley - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres hope adding established player in Brandon Montour buoys them

TORONTO – When Jason Botterill acquired high-scoring winger Jeff Skinner last summer, the general manager said he underestimated how much adding an established NHL talent to the Buffalo Sabres would excite his players.

“It wasn’t a situation talking about futures or a prospect,” Botterill told reporters Monday in Buffalo. “He was a player that helped our group right now.”

Botterill’s latest acquisition before Monday’s trade deadline, puck-moving defenseman Brandon Montour, could have the same effect ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nathan Beaulieu on trade deadline: ‘No one really likes this day’

TORONTO – Last month, during a stretch in which he sat out 21 of 25 games as a healthy scratch, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu requested a trade.

But suddenly, Beaulieu, 26, has started earning regular action again, playing three straight games entering tonight’s contest against the Maple Leafs.

So perhaps the Sabres will keep Beaulieu past today’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.

Update: The Sabres have traded Beaulieu to the Winnipeg Jets for a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo ready to play after suffering concussion

TORONTO – The smile on Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo’s face said everything.

After missing four games due to a concussion – “More precautionary than anything,” he said – Okposo will play again tonight against the Maple Leafs.

“Definitely more neck than anything,” an excited Okposo said this afternoon inside Scotiabank Arena. “Got that work done and I feel good.”... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner’s return helps boost Sabres in win over Capitals

BUFFALO – Right away, the fans noticed Jeff Skinner’s unlikely presence. So when the Sabres’ leading goal scorer touched the puck seconds into the third period, the crowd roared.

Earlier in Saturday afternoon’s 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals, Skinner’s season and the Sabres’ slim playoff hopes looked finished.

Less than five minutes into the second period, Carl Hagelin put his stick around Skinner’s lower left leg, causing his ankle to bend awkwardly as he ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart enjoys first hat trick in Buffalo

BUFFALO – On the first of his three goals Saturday afternoon, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart showcased a little flash.

After grabbing center Evan Rodrigues’ nifty one-handed pass, Reinhart unleashed a wicked wrist shot from the right circle, beating Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby over the right shoulder 12:51 into the 5-2 win.

Later in the contest, Reinhart put the Sabres up two goals again, sealing the game by tipping defenseman Matt Hunwick’s shot in front ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo skates; Danny O’Regan, Scott Wilson to play

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Kyle Okposo, out since suffering a concussion last Friday, skated this morning, coach Phil Housley said.

“That’s a great sign,” Housley said inside KeyBank Center. “He’s got a smile on his face. So those are all good signs for us.”

Okposo, 30, has a concerning history of concussions. The veteran hasn’t played since suffering another one fighting New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo.

Housley believes Okposo will play again this season.... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jason Botterill backs coach Phil Housley

Phil Housley’s job is safe. General manager Jason Botterill backed his coach today, saying that despite their recent struggles, the reeling Buffalo Sabres have grown this season.

“We’ve made progress as an organization compared to last year,” Botterill told reporters in Tampa Bay, where the Sabres play the Lightning on Thursday. “We’ve been in a position where we’ve been in games. I’ve see the results on the ice, I see the communication we’re going ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo diagnosed with concussion

After returning to Buffalo to undergo further evaluation, winger Kyle Okposo has been diagnosed with a concussion, the Sabres announced this morning.

Sabres coach Phil Housley told reporters in Florida there is no timetable for Okposo’s return.

“I just want to be cautious with Kyle,” Housley said inside the BB&T Center.

Okposo, 30, has a concerning history of concussions. This is at least his third in less than two years. After suffering one late in ... Read the full article

Sabres send Kyle Okposo home for further medical evaluation

The Sabres have sent winger Kyle Okposo, who suffered a one-punch knockdown during a brief fight Friday, back to Buffalo for further medical evaluation, coach Phil Housley said.

Okposo, 30, fought New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo, who was upset the veteran had hit teammate Mats Zuccarello, late in the 6-2 loss at KeyBank Center. Okposo, who rarely fights, left the game bleeding around the mouth.

Housley said Saturday Okposo did not have a concussion. ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Casey Nelson from AHL conditioning assignment

The Buffalo Sabres recalled defenseman Casey Nelson today from his AHL conditioning assignment with the Rochester Americans.

Nelson, 26, played five games with the Amerks, compiling one assist and four penalty minutes. He hasn’t played with the Sabres since suffering an upper-body injury Dec. 4.

He could play in tonight’s road tilt against the Devils. Defenseman Marco Scandella suffered an undisclosed injury in Friday’s 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers and didn’t accompany the ... Read the full article