Kekalainen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich says he can play next season after having blood clot removed

BUFFALO – As the months passed and he remained sidelined by a blood clot, Sabres center Jiri Kulich said he kept asking himself if he would be able to play hockey again.

“It was kind of a roller coaster,” he said this afternoon during his end-of-season media availability in KeyBank Center.

Then two months ago, Kulich, 22, said he underwent a procedure at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to have the entire clot removed.... Read the full article

Memorable Sabres season ends with OT loss to Canadiens in Game 7: ‘It hurts’

BUFFALO – When the dressing room door opened after the Sabres’ gut-wrenching 3-2 overtime loss in Game 7 on Monday, winger Alex Tuch was sitting in his stall, still wearing his No. 89 jersey and pondering things following what could be his final appearance wearing the Blue and Gold.

Across the room, captain Rasmus Dahlin spoke quietly to the media, his emotion still raw barely 20 minutes after Montreal Canadiens winger Alex Newhook scored from ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff named finalist for Jack Adams Award

BOSTON – For the fifth time in his career, Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is a finalist for the Jack Adams Award.

“That just means our coaching staff did one hell of a job,” Ruff said of his nomination today in the Four Seasons One Dalton. “This isn’t a one-man job. The hours these guys have put in and where we got to, a complete team effort.”

This season, Ruff and his staff led the ... Read the full article

Sabres buying into Jarmo Kekalainen’s message; Buffalo changes lineup for regular-season finale

BUFFALO – In his introductory remarks as Sabres general manager in mid-December, Jarmo Kekalainen stressed how much he values character.

Before he fielded a question, he said he wanted a talented team to develop a competitive and relentless identity.

Today, the Sabres rank among the NHL’s elite, having enjoyed a torrid four-month run and clinched the Atlantic Division. They’ve showcased remarkable consistency, adding tenacity to complement their skill.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Logan Stanley displaying offensive growth; Brandon Hagel fined for punches

BUFFALO – The nine and 21 attached to Sabres newcomer Logan Stanley’s stat line this season jump right off the page.

After registering just one goal in each of his first five NHL campaigns, the 6-foot-7, 231-pound defenseman has already scored nine times. He had never surpassed the 14-point mark before recording 21 points in 59 games for the Winnipeg Jets.

Of course, Stanley, who was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets before Friday’s trade deadline, ... Read the full article

By adding assets before trade deadline, Jarmo Kekalainen shows strong belief in Sabres

BUFFALO – In taking a big swing earlier this week and reportedly trying to land St. Louis Blue defenseman Colton Parayko, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen illustrated he would aggressively add assets to the NHL’s hottest team before Friday’s trade deadline.

After the potential Parayko deal fell through – he refused to waive his no-trade clause, according to multiple reports – Kekalainen kept pursuing trades.

By Friday, he had made three of them, showing his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich likely out for season; Justin Danforth, Jordan Greenway both ‘progressing slowly’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich, who hasn’t played since Nov. 1 because of blood clot issues, will most likely miss the rest of the season.

Kulich, 21, recently underwent testing to determine if he could resume a higher fitness level.

“He’s continuing to get treatment,” Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Friday in KeyBank Center. “Our main concern, obviously, is his well-being and long-term health, and second, when he can be back as a ... Read the full article

Sabres trade tracker: Buffalo acquires two defensemen, forward

BUFFALO – As the 3 p.m. trade deadline approaches, here’s what the Sabres have done:

So far, they’ve made two deals, acquiring defensemen Luke Schenn, 36, and Logan Stanley, 27, from the Winnipeg Jets and center Sam Carrick, 34, from the New York Rangers.

“All three of them bring us hardness, make us a tougher team to play against,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said following this afternoon’s practice in KeyBank Center. “In Carrick’s case, a ... Read the full article

Sabres beat Penguins to move into first place; Buffalo makes trades

PITTSBURGH – Thirty-eight seconds into Thursday’s second period, as Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and Evgeni Malkin began battling at the net and cross-checking each other, the Penguins star slashed his opponent on the neck.

Malkin’s ill-advised decision ended his night – he earned a match penalty and could have a suspension coming – and ignited the Sabres in a game that was tied at 1.

“After that we got it going pretty good,” coach ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Josh Norris healthy and thriving one year after trade

PITTSBURGH – One year and just 27 games later, Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris is happy, healthy and geared up to potentially experience the postseason for the first time in his six-year NHL career.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time (in Buffalo),” Norris said prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights at KeyBank Center. “The locker room is unbelievable, and it’s honestly so much fun coming to the rink every day.”

Still, his ... Read the full article