WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
Phil Housley likes how his team welcomed its new players. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The first glimpse of the new-look Sabres comes tonight, 180 days after they ended perhaps the worst season in franchise history.
Seven new faces will dress against the Boston Bruins, including first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin and winger Jeff Skinner, a two-time 30-goal scorer. The optimism surrounding the Sabres is well-deserved.
They’re a much different team than the dreadful one that finished in 31st place six months ago.
“They’re excited,” Sabres coach ... Read the full article
A lot of expectations accompany Rasmus Dahlin’s arrival in the NHL. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Long before the Sabres drafted Rasmus Dahlin first overall in June, he possessed more skill than most NHL players.
The Swede, 18, has been called the best defense prospect in decades. If rules allowed it, he probably could’ve thrived in the NHL even a year ago.
So Dahlin, who will make his long-awaited NHL debut tonight against the Boston Bruins in the season opener at KeyBank Center, will likely immediately contribute to the ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel doesn’t turn 22 until Oct. 28. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel was at home cooking dinner Tuesday night when his coach, Phil Housley, called and said the Sabres’ brass wanted to meet with him.
So Eichel left and drove to KeyBank Center. When he arrived, Housley, general manager Jason Botterill and owner Terry Pegula told the talented center he would be the 19th full-time captain in Sabres history.
“Really humbling moment,” Eichel said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center, where the Sabres open the ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel is the 19th full-time captain in Sabres history ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel was at home cooking dinner Tuesday night when his coach, Phil Housley, called and said the Sabres’ brass wanted to meet with him.
So Eichel, 21, left his dinner and drove to KeyBank Center. When he arrived, Housley, general manager Jason Botterill and owner Terry Pegula told the talented center he would be the 19th full-time captain in Sabres history.
“Really humbling moment,” Eichel said this afternoon following practice. “I feel ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel wore a letter last season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel is the Sabres’ new captain.
The Sabres, who open the season Thursday against the Boston Bruins, announced late this morning Eichel, 21, would wear the prestigious ‘C.’ Coach Phil Housley also appeared to tell his team as practice wound down.
Eichel, the second overall pick in 2015, is beginning his fourth NHL season. The Sabres went without a captain last season.... Read the full article
Remi Elie has played 90 NHL games. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Jason Botterill overhauled the Sabres for the 2018-19 season, adding eight new faces and improving their depth. Still, after Scott Wilson suffered a broken right ankle Sunday, the general manager felt they needed another winger for the fourth line.
So on Tuesday, the Sabres claimed Remi Elie on waivers from the Dallas Stars.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Elie, 23, has played 90 NHL games, compiling seven goals, 21 points and 26 penalty minutes. Last ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt is one of two rookies on the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Thirteen forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies comprise the Sabres’ first 23-man roster for the 2018-19 season.
NHL rosters needed to be finalized by 5 p.m. The Sabres open the season Thursday against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres reached the 23-man limit by placing four players – forwards Johan Larsson, Sean Malone and Scott Wilson and defenseman Matt Hunwick – on injured reserve.... Read the full article
Patrik Berglund spent 10 seasons in St. Louis. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Patrik Berglund’s booming voice echoed throughout HarborCenter.
“Use your stick!” the Sabres center shouted, along with another word that can’t be reprinted, during a practice drill last week.
Some of Berglund’s new teammates then quickly burst out laughing. In the midst of an intense training camp, he provided some much-needed levity.
“This game’s about having fun,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said Monday inside KeyBank Center. “He enjoys coming to the rink and having ... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian has a lower-body injury. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – This morning, three days before the Sabres open the season, 23 healthy players practiced inside KeyBank Center.
So, could that be their 23-man roster for Thursday’s opener here against the Boston Bruins? The roster must be finalized by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
“It’s too early to tell,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said. “There’s a lot of moving parts right now.”... Read the full article
Conor Sheary was injured the first day of training camp. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Just as one Sabres winger, Conor Sheary, returned from an injury Sunday, they lost another one.
Toward of the end of practice, Scott Wilson got tangled with defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and appeared to injure his right leg. Wilson stayed on the HarborCenter ice for a couple of minutes before being helped off. He couldn’t put any pressure on his right foot.... Read the full article