Housley - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres name Jack Eichel captain

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

Sabres claim Remi Elie on waivers, finalize 23-man roster

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

Sabres finalize 23-man roster

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

Fun-loving Patrik Berglund already one of Sabres’ leaders

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, Johan Larsson still possibility for Sabres’ season opener

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

Sabres lose Scott Wilson as Conor Sheary returns

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

Sabres’ Conor Sheary practices; Scott Wilson leaves with injury

BUFFALO – Just as one Sabres winger, Conor Sheary, returned from an injury today, they lost another one.

Toward of the end of practice inside HarborCenter, Scott Wilson got tangled with defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and appeared to injure his right leg. Wilson stayed on the ice for a couple of minutes before being helped off. He couldn’t put any pressure on his right foot.... Read the full article

Matt Tennyson, Lawrence Pilut battling for spot on Sabres’ defense

BUFFALO – One training camp earlier in his career, Sabres defenseman Matt Tennyson said he knew he was locked into the sixth spot on the San Jose Sharks’ blue line.

“Other than that, I’ve just been grinding away, just trying to make it,” Tennyson said Thursday inside KeyBank Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s preseason finale.

Tennyson, 28, is the typical journeymen defensemen. He usually ranks anywhere from sixth to 10th on the depth ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Scott Wilson adds weight, embraces checking role

BUFFALO – The list is, well, rather short. During the Sabres’ disastrous 2017-18 season, just one forward, winger Scott Wilson, exceeded expectations.

No wonder the Sabres finished dead last.

Wilson, 26, quickly morphed into a reliable fourth-liner after the Sabres acquired him from the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 4.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian day-to-day with lower-body injury

BUFFALO – Oft-injured Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, who played only 18 games last season, is day-to-day after suffering a lower-body injury Tuesday, coach Phil Housley said.

Housley said Bogosian, 28, will be reevaluated later today after leaving the Sabres’ 4-2 preseason loss to Columbus early.

Injuries, of course, have ravaged Bogosian. The Massena native has missed 114 games – a whopping 42 percent of Buffalo’s outings – since he joined the Sabres on Feb. ... Read the full article