Jones - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson scores rare goal; Buffalo makes roster move

BUFFALO – From his spot on the bench, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said he could see the puck would hit the top right corner of the net past the screened goalie as soon as it left defenseman Jacob Bryson’s stick.

“Basically, he had eyes up, he saw his mark and hit it,” Ruff said of Bryson’s wrist shot from the left point early in Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Bryson’s goal, just his ... Read the full article

Sabres lose forward to injury for four to six weeks, send defenseman to Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Dunne will be sidelined four to six weeks with a mid-body injury, coach Lindy Ruff said this morning.

Dunne, 27, was dealing with the injury before playing in Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers, his first outing after sitting out three straight games as a healthy scratch.

After spending most of his career in the AHL, Dunne has given the Sabres valuable depth this season, scoring one goal and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Michael Kesselring nears return from injury; Buffalo makes recall

BUFFALO – In the games before a high ankle sprain forced him out of the lineup again, Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring started to find a rhythm and feel more like himself.

Kesselring, 25, said he carried the puck more often and made plays, signs he was getting his legs back and developing confidence.

But the newcomer, who has missed the last three games, wasn’t 100 percent.

On Dec. 23 in Ottawa, he tweaked his ankle. ... Read the full article

As Sabres keep winning, comparisons to 2005-06 team only inevitable

BUFFALO – Almost fittingly, you must go back 20 years, to the first half of the 2005-06 season, to find the last time the Sabres won 12 times in a 13-game stretch.

Inevitably, whenever the Sabres get hot – and they’re scorching entering tonight’s contest against the Anaheim Ducks at KeyBank Center, the start of a five-game home stand – comparisons materialize to that beloved post-lockout team that will be honored before Thursday’s game.

Heck, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Metsa impressive in limited action; Buffalo adds defender

BUFFALO – In his first days here, Sabres defenseman Zach Metsa acknowledged his new surroundings felt “a little bit intimidating.”

“You come to a new spot, new group, new guys around you,” Metsa told the Times Herald prior to scoring his first NHL goal and point in Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in KeyBank Center.

As an older, under-the-radar prospect who played on an AHL contract for two seasons, Metsa, 27, usually spent ... Read the full article

Sabres recall high-scoring defenseman from Rochester Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon recalled defenseman Zac Jones, whose 28 assists lead the AHL, from the Rochester Americans.

Having lost defenseman Michael Kesselring to a lower-body injury last Wednesday in Dallas, the Sabres have only six healthy defensemen.

The Sabres possibly summoned Jones, who did not play during two recalls earlier this season, to serve as an extra defender.... Read the full article

Zac Jones gives Sabres high-end depth during dynamic season for Rochester

ROCHESTER – Americans defenseman Zac Jones has already registered 19 assists this season despite earning two recalls to Buffalo and some of his most talented teammates being summoned to the Sabres for extended periods.

So, what if Jones, 25, stays put in Rochester? Of course, given his offensive exploits – he ranks second in the AHL in assists and first with 15 power-play helpers – and the rugged nature of the defense position, that’s unlikely. ... Read the full article

Captain Rasmus Dahlin rejoins Sabres after temporary leave of absence

Captain Rasmus Dahlin rejoined the Buffalo Sabres today in Detroit after taking a temporary leave of absence to return to his native Sweden for a personal matter.

Dahlin, who left the Sabres last Friday, skated with his teammates this morning and will play against the Red Wings tonight.

The defenseman missed the first three games of Buffalo’s road trip.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi pulled from game during career-worst slump with Rochester: ‘He’s got to be better’

ROCHESTER – The fifth puck past Americans goalie Devon Levi, a shot from the far bottom of the right circle, forced coach Mike Leone to make a late goaltending change.

For the just the second time in his 76-game AHL career, Levi, the Buffalo Sabres’ top goalie prospect, got yanked from a game.

In Wednesday’s 6-4 loss in Blue Cross Arena, the Amerks roared back late, scoring three straight goals after the Belleville Senators ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin taking temporary leave of absence from Sabres

BUFFALO – Captain Rasmus Dahlin is taking a temporary leave of absence from the Sabres to deal with a personal matter in Sweden, coach Lindy Ruff said Friday.

In September, Dahlin revealed his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, was rehabbing in Sweden after experiencing major heart failure and undergoing a heart transplant in the summer.

Matovac, who underwent life-saving CPR and spent weeks on life support before the transplant, is doing well.... Read the full article