Kesselring - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Injury could shelve Sabres’ Josh Dunne; Michael Kesselring close to playing

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Dunne was evaluated Tuesday for a mid-body injury and “may miss a little bit of time,” coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said Dunne wasn’t injured fighting Florida Panthers defenseman Donovan Sebrango in Monday’s 4-3 loss.

“It’s been something that has been bothering him a little bit,” he said following practice in KeyBank Center.... 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

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

After win streak ends, Sabres to change lineup by inserting Jason Zucker

BUFFALO – As the Sabres recently rattled off 10 consecutive wins, they utilized the same 18 skaters most nights, only making changes for injuries.

If it’s working, why mess with it, right?

Coach Lindy Ruff explained the performance within that lineup, not so much the victories – “Just how well the individuals were playing,” he said – forced the Sabres to keep things consistent.

When Ruff, his staff and even general manager Jarmo Kekalainen sat ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Lyon, Michael Kesselring progressing from injuries

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Alex Lyon, who hasn’t played since suffering a lower-body injury late in last Monday’s 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues, is day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“It doesn’t look like anything too major,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center.

Ruff said Lyon and defenseman Michael Kesselring, who left Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars with a lower-body injury, are both “progressing” from their respective injuries.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Michael Kesselring out injured

COLUMBUS – For the third time this season, an injury will force Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring to miss action.

Kesselring, who suffered a lower-body injury late in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars, will sit out this afternoon’s game against the Blue Jackets.

Defenseman Jacob Bryson will replace Kesselring, who’s day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson, UPL thrilled to be selected to Olympics

COLUMBUS – In the NHL, Tage Thompson is the Buffalo Sabres’ No. 1 center and most dynamic offensive threat, having scored 178 goals since the start of the 2021-22 season.

But on Team USA’s Olympic entry at the upcoming Milano Cortina Games, which Thompson, 28, was named to on Friday, what kind of role could he be cast in? Third-line winger? Fourth-line grinder?

Thompson, whose surging Sabres carry a 10-game win streak into this afternoon’s ... Read the full article

Sabres send prospects to Rochester, get injured players back

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Sunday sent prospects Ryan Johnson and Isak Rosen back to the Rochester Americans.

They recalled Johnson, 24, before Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins because captain Rasmus Dahlin’s absence left them with just six defensemen.

Dahlin, who visited his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, in Sweden over the Christmas break, is expected to rejoin the Sabres today in St. Louis for the start of their three-game road trip.... Read the full article

After trade, injuries, Michael Kesselring ready to make impact for Sabres

BUFFALO – After hurrying back from a knee injury, Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring said the ankle sprain he suffered just nine games into his season offered him a chance to “reset a little.”

Not that Kesselring, the Sabres’ biggest offseason acquisition, wanted to miss more time. But when he went down again Nov. 15, he said he was still battling his first injury a bit and “putting a lot of pressure” on himself.

“I didn’t ... Read the full article