Krebs - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and Peyton Krebs briefly fight in practice: ‘We’re all good’

BUFFALO – As Sabres center Peyton Krebs skated through the neutral zone early in Monday’s practice, captain Rasmus Dahlin hip-checked his teammate, knocking him to the ice.

When Krebs got up, the teammates began shoving, and soon they dropped their gloves and began throwing punches.

Teammates quickly intervened, and after a few seconds, the fight ended and practice resumed in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Sabres start scoring, beat Panthers for first win: ‘A stress-reliever’

BUFFALO – It felt like things might be turning for the Sabres when late in Saturday’s first period, having just answered the Florida Panthers and tied the game, center Tage Thompson roared down the right wing and unleashed the puck toward the net.

During the Sabres’ three season-opening losses, the opposing goalie would’ve stopped a shot like that. This time, however, they enjoyed a little puck luck that had been non-existent.

Panthers goalie Spencer Knight, ... Read the full article

Three years after trade, Sabres’ Peyton Krebs trying to reinvent himself

BUFFALO – During practices, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has noticed Peyton Krebs possesses the skill to make what he called “special plays.” Of course, having registered 20 goals and 66 points in his career, the center only occasionally showcases that talent in games.

In Krebs, 23, Ruff sees a player trying to figure things out. When the Vegas Golden Knights drafted him 17th overall in 2019 and the Sabres acquired him almost three years ago ... Read the full article

Sabres focused on fixing power play: ‘Going to be great’

BUFFALO – Prior to Tuesday’s practice, the Sabres’ power-play units and coaching staff could be found across the street at LECOM Harborcenter working on the man advantage.

“I don’t know if that mock resistance by the coaches was any good, but I felt the speed coming at us was pretty good,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cracked.

When the regular session began at KeyBank Center, the Sabres focused on their power play for the first 43 ... Read the full article

Nicolas Aube-Kubel (left) moves alongside New Jersey’s Jonas Siegenthaler last week in Prague, Czechia.

Sabres injuries: Nicolas Aube-Kubel out long-term; JJ Peterka, Zach Benson day to day

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s season opener, will be sidelined about three to six weeks, coach Lindy Ruff said.

There is, however, some good news. Ruff said wingers JJ Peterka (concussion) and Zach Benson (lower body) are considered day to day after suffering injuries in Prague, Czechia.

Neither practiced Tuesday in KeyBank Bank Center, the Sabres’ first session since returning from their season-opening trip.... Read the full article

Sabres lose JJ Peterka to concussion, Zach Benson to lower-body injury

Three injured forwards. Two losses. One struggling team.

Any early-season optimism surrounding the Buffalo Sabres vanished during back-to-back season-opening setbacks to the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia.

In Saturday’s 3-1 loss, Sabres winger JJ Peterka suffered a concussion when New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon hit him in the head as he skated through the neutral zone, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Prague.... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Nicolas Aube-Kubel injured in season opener

Buffalo Sabres winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel suffered a lower-body in Friday’s 4-1 season-opening loss to the New Jersey Devils and will miss today’s rematch, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Prague, Czechia.

Ruff had no other update on Aube-Kubel. The newcomer was wearing a brace on his leg as he exited the dressing room following the game, according to The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski.... Read the full article

Prospect Jiri Kulich, other extra players to accompany Sabres on European trip

BUFFALO – The 27 players who practiced this morning in KeyBank Center – 15 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies – will accompany the Sabres on their season-opening European trip, coach Lindy Ruff said.

The Sabres, who fly to Germany tonight, will bring the maximum amount of players allowed. They must trim their roster to 23, the standard regular-season size, before their opener Oct. 4 in Prague, Czechia.

Jiri Kulich, arguably the Sabres’ top forward ... Read the full article

Devon Levi happy to compete with UPL, sharp as Sabres beat Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – For years, Sabres goalie Devon Levi has been a workhorse, starting game after game.

At Northeastern, Levi played 89 percent of the Huskies’ games. After turning pro late in 2022-23, he started seven of the Sabres’ final eight contests and the first four last season before suffering an injury.

When Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen seized the No. 1 job late last fall, the Sabres assigned Levi to the Rochester Americans to play regularly, occasionally recalling ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo to dress most of regulars, give Jiri Kulich first chance

BUFFALO – When coach Lindy Ruff said most of the Sabres’ regulars would dress for the preseason opener, he wasn’t kidding.

Tonight’s roster resembles a regular-season lineup, with perhaps the entire first and second lines playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center.

Assistant coach Seth Appert said No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start and go the distance.

While the lineup mostly features established talent, rookie winger Jiri Kulich will receive his first action ... Read the full article