Johansson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres captain Jack Eichel traveled for ‘deeper assessment’ of injury

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel traveled out of state to seek a “deeper assessment” of his upper-body injury, coach Ralph Krueger said.

Krueger said Eichel will be sidelined at least another seven to 10 days.

“We hope to have a complete assessment here within the next couple of days,” Krueger said on a Zoom call this morning.

Eichel appeared to hurt his neck when Casey Cizikas hit him behind the net late in ... Read the full article

Sabres lose shootout to Flyers, return to Buffalo in crisis

Now what happens? The hapless Sabres completed the road trip from hell and returned to Buffalo following Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout loss, a game in which they twice enjoyed a two-goal lead over the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Sabres, who went 0-4-1 on the trip, have today off before hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Will Ralph Krueger still be their coach on Thursday?

Right now, the Sabres are enduring one of the roughest stretches in franchise history. They’ve ... Read the full article

Fast development earns Sabres’ Dylan Cozens promotion to No. 1 center

For almost two months, the Buffalo Sabres eased rookie Dylan Cozens into the NHL by playing him at right wing instead of center, his natural position.

Cozens, 20, kept seizing his opportunities, moving up the lineup and becoming one coach Ralph Krueger’s most trusted forwards just weeks into his career.

So when the upper-body injury captain Jack Eichel suffered Sunday afternoon kept him from playing Tuesday, instead of promoting a veteran, Krueger tabbed Cozens to ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner finally scores, but Sabres lose seventh straight: ‘Not a fun time’

As their three-game set against the New York Islanders mercifully neared its end Sunday afternoon, the hapless Buffalo Sabres finally started displaying some signs of life.

After falling behind 3-0, winger Jeff Skinner’s first goal since Feb. 29, 2020 jumpstarted the Sabres 5:41 into the third period. Defenseman Colin Miller’s goal at 9:35 moved them within one.

Suddenly, the Sabres were pushing for the tying score inside Nassau Coliseum. And then a sequence that sums ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kevyn Adams says Jack Eichel hasn’t requested trade

When the Buffalo Sabres hired Kevyn Adams as general manager, he made it a point to develop a relationship with Jack Eichel, his captain and best player.

“Jack is someone that I’ve bounced things off of, he’s talked to me and we have an open dialogue,” Adams said on a Zoom call Friday afternoon.

Given the Sabres’ woes throughout Eichel’s six-year tenure, some believe he could want out of Buffalo. But Adams said Eichel, ... Read the full article

Sabres unravel against Islanders, lose fifth straight: ‘It’s a dangerous spiral’

In the waning minutes of first period in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders, winger Matt Martin grabbed a pass deep in the Buffalo Sabres zone and skated below the goal line, seemingly boxing himself into the left corner.

But Martin decided to shoot from what looked like an impossible angle, and the puck hit goalie Jonas Johansson in the head and bounced in, putting the Islanders up 2-0 16:21 into the game.... Read the full article

Hapless Sabres lose again, endure brutal weekend: ‘I’m very embarrassed’

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin looked and sounded disgusted following another dispirited shutout loss.

The hapless Sabres endured a brutal weekend, losing by scores of 3-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at KeyBank Center.

They’ve looked downright awful since their COVID-19 pause ended two weeks ago, losing seven of their nine outings.

At this point, 19 games into another dreary season, simply scoring a goal would be an accomplishment for ... Read the full article

Sabres have intriguing goalie option; Jonas Johansson receives first start

BUFFALO – If the Sabres want to add an established goalie they can utilize as Linus Ullmark recovers from his lower-body injury, Alex Stalock is available.

The Minnesota Wild waived Stalock, who has been recovering from an upper-body injury all season, on Sunday.

Stalock, 33, has played 151 NHL games, including a career-high 38 last season. The veteran could be an intriguing option for the Sabres.

Ullmark will be sidelined at least one month, coach ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark out at least one month; Jeff Skinner set to return

BUFFALO – A lower-body injury will sideline Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark at least one month, coach Ralph Krueger said.

Ullmark, who has started 12 of the Sabres’ 17 games, left Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils after the first period.

“It’s a hard hit, it’s a heavy hit,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said on a Zoom call this morning. “The best case we’ll get him back in a month. So a huge ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel questionable for weekend; Sabres could have reinforcements

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark will likely miss this weekend’s two-game series against the Philadelphia Flyers, coach Ralph Krueger said. Meanwhile, captain Jack Eichel is questionable for the home contests.

Both players have lower-body injuries and did not practice today inside KeyBank Center.

Ullmark, the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, left Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils after the first period. Kruger said Ullmark was having X-rays done this afternoon.

“We’re not ... Read the full article