WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Training Camp Edition
Ryan O’Reilly spent three seasons in Buffalo. ©2018, Hickling Images
Not much has changed for ex-Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly in St. Louis. The Blues utilize him constantly, relying on him to play big minutes. Just like in Buffalo, the versatile center quickly seized his opportunities, morphing into perhaps his new team’s best player.
And just like in Buffalo, O’Reilly has endured a lot of losing.
The Blues, one of the NHL’s heavyweights for years, just missed the playoffs last season, earning 94 points. When they ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis is in his first season in Toronto. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Instead of being relied upon to produce offense, ex-Sabres winger Tyler Ennis is now a fourth-liner.
Sure, Ennis, 29, skates on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ second power-play unit. The former first-round pick even started the season on the No. 1 line beside center Auston Matthews and Patrick Marleau.
But Ennis is no longer the ultra-slick presence from his early days. The concussions he suffered in his final seasons with the Sabres helped stymie ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville (29) celebrates his second-period goal with Zemgus Girgensons on Monday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – In past seasons, the line comprised of center Evan Rodrigues and wingers Zemgus Girgensons and Jason Pominville would’ve been the Sabres’ third or even second combination.
But for the first time in years, the Sabres have legitimate NHL depth, so the trio is actually their fourth line.
Well, in terms of ice time, it’s the fourth line.... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian sat out practice earlier this week. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres have a plan for Zach Bogosian. Instead of throwing the oft-injured defenseman right into the fray, they’re easing him into training camp.
Bogosian, 28, underwent hip surgery last winter and hasn’t played a game Jan. 9. So the Sabres held him out of practice earlier this week before letting him skate on his own.
Bogosian practiced with his teammates again Thursday inside HarborCenter.... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 28 saves Saturday. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is likely years away from cracking the Sabres.
The goalie prospect is just beginning his North American junior career with the Sudbury Wolves. After that, Luukkonen will probably need years of apprenticeship in the minors.
But Sabres got a glimpse of Luukkonen, a youngster many have tabbed as their goalie of the future, in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament.... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin’s presence makes the Prospects Challenge an intriguing tournament. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and center Casey Mittelstadt are among 27 Sabres scheduled to participate in this week’s Prospects Challenge rookie tournament the team will be hosting at HarborCenter.
Some other interesting names on the Sabres’ 27-man roster the team released today include:... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen spent the early part of his career in his native Finland. ©2018, Hickling Images
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, perhaps the Buffalo Sabres’ goalie of the future, will play junior hockey next season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves, the Finn announced today on Twitter.
The Wolves selected Luukkonen, 19, third overall in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft on June 28.... Read the full article
Matej Pekar likes to agitate opponents. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After Matej Pekar hit Casey Mittelstadt in the head during Saturday’s three-on-three development camp tournament, the agitator sensed an opportunity.
“That’s my shot to kind of piss him off, get in his head and try to win the game for the team,” Pekar said after camp ended inside HarborCenter. “I guess it worked out.”
Pekar, the 94th overall pick a week ago, kept going after Mittelstadt, irking the Sabres’ top forward prospect. The ... Read the full article
The Sabres are Brandon Hickey’s third NHL organization. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Right away, Brandon Hickey’s former Boston University teammates reached out to him. Jack Eichel, Danny O’Regan and Evan Rodrigues all welcomed the defenseman to the Sabres with text messages.
Hickey, 22, already looks comfortable with the Sabres, who traded winger Hudson Fasching to the Arizona Coyotes for the former third-round pick and forward Mike Sislo on June 14.
“There’s some familiar faces within the locker room there,” Hickey said Thursday. “When I ... Read the full article
Victor Antipin played 47 games with the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres did not tender a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Victor Antipin by Monday’s deadline, making the Russian defenseman a free agent.
Antipin, 25, signed a one-year contract last year following a strong season in the KHL. In 47 games as a rookie in 2017-18, Antipin compiled 10 assists.
“We were really impressed with him,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said Monday inside KeyBank Center. “I know things didn’t go maybe ... Read the full article
