Lazar - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Marco Scandella’s return makes Colin Miller healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Colin Miller’s stint in the press box likely won’t last long. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Sabres defenseman returns to the lineup Saturday.

But Marco Scandella’s return from a lower-body injury Thursday forced Sabres coach Ralph Krueger to make a tough decision and sit out a regular defenseman.

Miller was the odd man out against for the 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Right now, the Sabres have eight healthy defensemen. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Johansson to miss at least next three games

BUFFALO – An upper-body injury will sideline Sabres center Marcus Johansson through the weekend, coach Ralph Krueger said this morning.

So in addition to missing tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Johansson will be out Saturday versus the Ottawa Senators and Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“We think it’s better to give him a few days here to rehab so we’re not planning with him for the three games,” Krueger said this morning inside KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Curtis Lazar enjoys short trip to Buffalo

BUFFALO – The 70- or so mile drive from Rochester to KeyBank Center sure beats trying to get from Stockton, Calif., to Calgary. Just ask Sabres winger Curtis Lazar.

When the Flames would recall Lazar, 24, from the Heat, their AHL affiliate about 1,300 miles away, he would have to fly out of the San Francisco airport.

Stockton is about 83 miles from that airport.

Lazar enjoyed a much easier trip to Buffalo on ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian set to practice; Vladimir Sobotka out four to six weeks

BUFFALO – More than six months after undergoing hip surgery, defenseman Zach Bogosian will return to practice today, the Sabres announced this morning.

Bogosian, who’s week-to-week, will be joined by defenseman Marco Scandella, who has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury.

That doesn’t mean the Sabres are healthy.

They announced this morning a lower-body injury will sideline winger Vladimir Sobotka four to six weeks. Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov hit Sobotka ... Read the full article

Sabres send Curtis Lazar to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres sent forward Curtis Lazar back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Winger Conor Sheary returned from his upper-body injury for Thursday’s 3-0 win against the Los Angeles Kings, giving the Sabres two extra forwards.

The Sabres, who close their three-game road trip Saturday against the San Jose Sharks, scratched Lazar all three games he was with them.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Vladimir Sobotka shaking off poor season, earning respect

BUFFALO – In the first period Monday afternoon, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger tapped winger Vladimir Sobotka for two defensive-zone draws.

“He went right out there and cleanly won them and took us out of our end,” Krueger said following the Sabres’ 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars inside KeyBank Center.

Then 4:20 into the third period, Sobotka’s nifty pass past a sliding defender created linemate Jeff Skinner’s goal.

The Czech’s first point this season put ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Carter Hutton to start against struggling Stars

BUFFALO – Other than switching to goalie Carter Hutton this afternoon against the Dallas Stars, the Sabres will utilize the same lineup as the past two games inside KeyBank Center.

That means forward Curtis Lazar, who was recalled from Rochester Americans on Sunday, will be scratched.

Despite the Stars’ sorry 1-4-1 record, they possess a lot of talent.

“They’re a much, much better team that their record,” said coach Ralph Krueger, whose Sabres have ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Curtis Lazar from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled forward Curtis Lazar from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Lazar, 24, will likely accompany the Sabres on their three-game western road trip that begins Wednesday to serve as their extra forward.

The Amerks scratched Lazar from today’s road game against the Hartford Wolf Pack.

The Sabres have had only 12 healthy forwards since winger Conor Sheary suffered an upper-body injury last week. Sheary skated on his own today.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Marcus Johansson honored by earning letter

PITTSBURGH – Marcus Johansson rarely displays much emotion. In good times and bad, the Buffalo Sabres center usually keeps an even keel.

Still, Ralph Krueger could tell being named one of the Sabres’ two alternate captains earlier this week had special meaning to Johansson.

“His Swedish persona (was) able to kind of tuck it away in the talk with me, but I thought he was extremely honored,” Krueger said prior to Thursday’s 3-1, season-opening win ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Victor Olofsson, Henri Jokiharju from Amerks

PITTSBURGH – As expected, the Sabres recalled winger Victor Olofsson and defenseman Henri Jokiharju from the Rochester Americans this morning.

In paper moves to get under the salary cap before Tuesday’s roster deadline, the Sabres sent Olofsson and Jokiharju to the AHL.

The Sabres also assigned the three players they summoned Tuesday – forwards Jean-Sebastien Dea and Curtis Lazar and defenseman Lawrence Pilut – to the Amerks.... Read the full article