Kane - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jack Eichel’s absence will hurt Sabres

BUFFALO – Jack Eichel’s high right ankle sprain, an injury that will sideline the Sabres center indefinitely, hit the young star in the midst of a career-best stretch.

Eichel went on a tear beginning Dec. 1, morphing into one of the NHL’s most lethal scoring threats. His 15 goals and 34 points in 30 games since then both rank ninth overall.

The Sabres stand 30th in a 31-team league and have scored the second-fewest goals. ... Read the full article

Thumb surgery to sideline Sabres’ Jake McCabe weeks

BUFFALO – With Jake McCabe out three to four weeks after undergoing thumb surgery today and Rasmus Ristolainen struggling, the Sabres’ defense corps will look much different tonight against the New York Islanders.

Casey Nelson, a recent recall quickly earning coach Phil Housley’s trust, will play with Marco Scandella, Ristolainen’s partner much of the season on the No. 1 pair. Ristolainen, meanwhile, will move back and skate with Nathan Beaulieu.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner could be attractive option for contender

BUFFALO – Forget about struggling winger Evander Kane, the asset that could fetch the Sabres the greatest return before the upcoming trade deadline is goalie Robin Lehner.

Kane has been struggling for months, producing just four goals over a 32-game span, including zero in the past 13 contests. His value has dropped dramatically.

Lehner, meanwhile, has been tending some strong goal for the hapless Sabres, who have lost four straight home games. In ... Read the full article

Tempers erupt in Sabres’ loss to Panthers

BUFFALO – The emotion buoyed them, put the Florida Panthers back on their heels. Winger Evander Kane said the Sabres started possessing an “F-you attitude.”

Scrums and fights erupted late Thursday during a heated Atlantic Division tilt inside KeyBank Center. The Sabres even went after a head.

Of course, this all transpired after the Sabres allowed three straight goals and ended the first period trailing 3-1.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evander Kane slumping as trade deadline approaches

BUFFALO – In what are likely his final days with the Sabres, winger Evander Kane said he’s trying to embrace his uncertain future.

Whether it goes down today, next week or hours before the Feb. 26 trade deadline, the last-place team will almost certainly deal Kane, an established scorer set to cash in as an unrestricted free agent this summer.

“It’s not something I really try to block out,” Kane, who was reunited with top ... Read the full article

Devils’ Taylor Hall fined $5,000 for scary hit on Sabres’ Kyle Okposo

BUFFALO – At the 5:31 mark of the third period in Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, Taylor Hall knocked Sabres winger Kyle Okposo into the boards from behind.

While Okposo bounced right back up, the hit, which only earned Hall a two-minute boarding minor, was scary.

“That’s the play you’re trying to eliminate, right?” Okposo said today after the NHL fined Hall $5,000, the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. “There’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian to undergo season-ending hip surgery

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian will undergo season-ending hip surgery next week, the team announced today.

Bogosian’s estimated recovery time is four to six months, so the 10-year veteran should be ready for the start of next season.

“The news regarding Zach’s injury is unfortunate,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said in a statement. “Zach has been dealing with this injury since the beginning of the season. After consulting with our medical team, we ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jack Eichel honored by All-Star Game selection

BUFFALO – Two years ago, the NHL revamped its traditional All-Star Game, transforming the stale affair into a slick three-on-three tournament featuring six divisional squads.

The league also added a $1 million incentive for the winning team, a prize center Jack Eichel, the Sabres’ lone All-Star, said “brings a little more energy to the event.”... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark to start; Zach Bogosian out 4 to 6 weeks

BUFFALO – Why not try something different, right? The reeling Sabres have lost five straight games and 33 of their 43 outings this season.

Starting goalie Linus Ullmark tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets is worth a try.

Sabres coach Phil Housley, who criticized his goaltending in Tuesday’s 7-4 loss to Winnipeg, said Ullmark will receive his first NHL nod since last season’s finale.

... Read the full article

Sabres’ Justin Falk yells at, shoves Evander Kane during practice

BUFFALO – Defenseman Justin Falk’s booming voice suddenly cut through the din of Wednesday’s intense Sabres practice.

“Shut the (expletive) up, you selfish (expletive),” Falk yelled as he skated at winger Evander Kane on the KeyBank Center ice.

A livid Falk then shoved Kane before some coaches intervened. The Sabres, who host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, finished the memorable practice shortly after Falk’s outburst.

Clearly, the Sabres’ wretched 10-win season has ignited emotions. ... Read the full article