Krueger - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres send struggling Casey Mittelstadt to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres sent center Casey Mittelstadt, who has been a healthy scratch three of the last four games, to the Rochester Americans today.

While Mittelstadt, 21, has never played in the AHL, the demotion wasn’t exactly surprising.

Mittelstadt has struggled in his second full NHL season, compiling only four goals, nine points and a minus-5 rating in 31 games while often looking lost defensively.

The former eighth overall pick has mustered just ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian mum on if he requested trade

BUFFALO – Zach Bogosian’s demeanor said it all.

For two and a half minutes Friday, the Sabres defenseman answered questions about his uncertain future with terse replies. The normally affable veteran was expressionless.

In his 12-year NHL career, Bogosian had never experienced sitting out a game as a healthy scratch.

Then on Thursday, coach Ralph Krueger, who has eight healthy defensemen on his roster, benched Bogosian for the Sabres’ 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators.... Read the full article

Islanders present stiff challenge for Sabres

BUFFALO – What do the St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and New York Islanders have in common?

The teams, three of the Sabres’ opponents this week, thrive because of their rigid defensive structure.

“It’s not a free-flowing, open style like a lot of teams are playing with the foot on the offensive gas all the time,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said Friday. “There’s a real defensive passion to these three team games.”

After beating the ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel helping Sabres become heavyweight at home

BUFFALO – Thursday was “Aud Night” at KeyBank Center, a special 50th anniversary promotion that celebrated the Sabres’ first home and the 1980s throughout their entertaining 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators.

In addition to giving out Memorial Auditorium shirts – the Sabres laid out gold, red, blue and orange ones on the seats to match the old building’s unique look – alumni attended and the Sabres sported their special white anniversary jerseys.

“It adds ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Bogosian healthy scratch as Rasmus Dahlin returns

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, a healthy scratch for Thursday’s 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators, has requested a trade, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

The oft-injured Bogosian, 29, is in the final year of a contract that pays him $6 million this season. He can become an unrestricted free agent following the season.

Bogosian underwent offseason hip surgery and made his season debut Nov. 24. He played 10 straight games before Thursday.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian to be healthy scratch; Rasmus Dahlin might play

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, who has played 10 straight games since returning from offseason hip surgery last month, will be a healthy scratch tonight against the Nashville Predators.

Does that mean defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will return after missing eight games with a concussion? Sabres coach Ralph Krueger wouldn’t say. Dahlin practiced Wednesday.

“It was good to get some contact, wake up a little,” Dahlin said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “You feel ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Johan Larsson scoring, having fun: ‘He has an offensive upside’

BUFFALO – This is new, you know. Not only is Sabres center Johan Larsson piling up points, he’s also having fun and smiling.

“He wasn’t ‘Angry Larry’ last night,” Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said of his linemate’s nickname. “He’s having a blast. I think you can see it in his face.”

Right now, having compiled two goals and nine points in the last seven games, Larsson is enjoying a career-best stretch entering tonight’s home game ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin practices, could be close to returning from concussion

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, out the last eight games with a concussion, practiced today on a regular pairing and also manned a point on the top power play.

So, could Dahlin, 19, return Thursday against the Nashville Predators?

“There’s a definitely a step in the right direction,” Krueger said inside KeyBank Center. “We’re just going to assess him and wanted to see him in his customary role and see how he looks. ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel comes up clutch in win over Blues, Sabres jump into second place

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel grabbed the puck behind the net, surveyed the action in front of him and started creeping out.

Late in third period of a tie game, the St. Louis Blues should’ve been shadowing Eichel everywhere. But they inexplicably gave the NHL’s hottest scorer all the time and space he needed.

So Eichel skated out front and, without any Blues nearby, beat goalie Jake Allen from the bottom of the ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Dahlin excited to be back on ice: ‘It felt like Christmas’

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was so excited to practice with his teammates Tuesday morning he said he woke up at 6:30.

“I was nervous, it felt like Christmas,” said an upbeat Dahlin, who has missed eight games after suffering a concussion Nov. 25. “Good to be back. I was really happy to skate with the boys today.”

Dahlin, 19, hasn’t played since Tampa Bay Lighting defenseman Erik Cernak elbowed him in the ... Read the full article