WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
November Edition
Jack Eichel missed the first four sessions of training camp. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
After months of anticipation and a five-day delay, Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel on Wednesday finally practiced beside Taylor Hall, his new left winger.
Eichel, 24, said he had been battling an upper-body injury he sustained during an on-ice workout a few weeks ago. The Sabres said at the beginning of training camp their top center and leading scorer was day-to-day.
“Today was a good test for me to get out there and be ... Read the full article
Carter Hutton is one of the NHL’s best puck-handling goalies. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
In the waning seconds of Monday’s scrimmage, Buffalo Sabres goalie Carter Hutton said a “perfect situation” materialized for him.
Over the years, Hutton, one of the NHL’s best puck-handling netminders, said he had tried to score an empty-net goal a few times.
“I’ve never been successful other than just shooting a few pucks at the end of practice,” Hutton said on a Zoom call.
But on Monday, as Hutton’s Team Blue enjoyed a 4-1 ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons left Monday’s scrimmage. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
In the second period of Monday’s Buffalo Sabres scrimmage, Zemgus Girgensons eyed up Steven Fogarty as he carried the puck and tried to hit him inside the blue line.
But Fogarty skated around Girgensons, forcing the Latvian to make a last-second adjustment. Girgensons’ legs split awkwardly as he attempted to find Fogarty and he fell to the KeyBank Center ice. Girgensons left the scrimmage and did not return.
Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said Girgensons, who ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen looks a lot happier these days. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The chatter about Rasmus Ristolainen wanting out of Buffalo has ended. These days, the defenseman says he’s happy and excited to be with the Sabres.
“I enjoy being here right now,” Ristolainen said on a Zoom call Sunday. “The team looks good and ready to go and it’s going to be a very exciting year.”
Ristolainen, 26, has rarely spoken so optimistically. Prior to last season, in an interview with a Finnish TV station, he ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson scored 20 goals last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson suffered an upper-body injury when he crashed into the goalpost Saturday and is day-to-day, the team announced Sunday.
Tage Thompson practiced in Olofsson’s spot Sunday at right wing on the No. 1 line, according to reports from KeyBank Center.
Olofsson briefly left the ice favoring his right arm and wrist before returning to practice, according to The Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington. But Olofsson departed for good when the Sabres took ... Read the full article
Eric Staal’s accomplishments stand out among the Sabres. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
During the six years Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal spent together as teammates with the Carolina Hurricanes, they usually skated on separate lines.
Back then, the Hurricanes were in the midst of a marathon 14-year playoff drought. As one of the NHL’s bottom-feeders, they possessed little depth up front. So the coaches would often play their top scorers on different lines.
“We were pretty thin,” said Staal, who joined Skinner and the Buffalo Sabres in ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson crashed into the goalpost during today’s practice. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Coach Ralph Krueger said the Buffalo Sabres are assessing winger Victor Olofsson, who left today’s practice after crashing into the goalpost.
“We do not have an update,” Krueger said on a Zoom call this afternoon.
Olofsson briefly left the KeyBank Center ice favoring his right arm and wrist before returning to practice, according to The Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington. But Olofsson departed for good when the Sabres took a break to watch video.
Update:... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin had a terrific second half last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
As defenseman Rasmus Dahlin spent month after month packing muscle on his 6-foot-3 frame and honing his skills, coach Ralph Krueger could feel a special transformation was taking place.
Dahlin, 20, possesses the maturity to match his enormous skill set. The Buffalo Sabres’ disappointing finish last season – they missed the NHL’s 24-team playoff qualifying round by one point – irked the Swede and put him in a reflective state of mind.
So Dahlin, who’s ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel suffered an upper-body injury during an off-ice workout. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres coach Ralph Krueger prefaced his update on the statuses of captain Jack Eichel and goalie Linus Ullmark with four words to alleviate any concern.
“All is under control,” Krueger said on a Zoom call Friday after both players missed the first session of training camp inside KeyBank Center.
Shortly before the Sabres’ first practice in almost 10 months, they announced Eichel, their MVP, would be sidelined Friday. The center suffered an upper-body injury ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe believes coach Ralph Krueger is the right guy to lead the Sabres during a difficult season. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
Short training camps are nothing new for Ralph Krueger.
Krueger spent 13 years leading Team Switzerland at major international tournaments. He coached Team Europe to the final of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, a gig that helped him land in Buffalo. Prior to joining the Sabres, his only season as an NHL head coach, 2012-13, began in January following a lockout.
Krueger had about a week to begin putting his mark on the ... Read the full article