Miller - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Curtis Lazar thriving back at center

BUFFALO – Curtis Lazar loves playing center. After thriving back at his natural position a year ago with the Stockton Heat, the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate, he talked to the Sabres during free agency about remaining there.

“All my conversations during the summer said I’d be down the middle, and then I come to camp and played strictly wing,” said Lazar, who signed a one-year, $700,000 contract July 1. “I’m honestly fine with whatever. I ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jake McCabe’s advice to Mattias Samuelsson: ‘Be yourself’

BUFFALO – Seven years ago, Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe had no idea he would be named captain of Team USA’s entry at the World Junior Championship.

The team, after all, had some returning players. McCabe, then 19, was participating in his first tournament.

“It was one I was surprised about because I was a first-year player,” McCabe said prior to Friday’s 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. “But I took it with ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marco Scandella out, lineup for Bruins to be announced later

BUFFALO – Fresh off a three-day Christmas break, the Sabres will change their lineup tonight against the Boston Bruins.

Illness will sideline defenseman Marco Scandella, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

Something has been spreading through the locker room. Krueger said Scandella called Thursday night and he he was sick.

“Hopefully he’s the last one,” Krueger said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “It kind was kind of going through. There were six, seven guys that felt ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Bogosian feels good in return after healthy scratches

BUFFALO – For Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, sitting out four straight games, the first healthy scratches of his 12-year NHL career, wasn’t easy.

“Anytime you don’t get a chance to be in there to be a part of the team and do what you want to do and do what you love, I mean, it’s tough,” Bogosian said after skating just over 18 minutes in his return in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win over the ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Carter Hutton offering advice, support to Linus Ullmark

TORONTO – Whether he’s starting regularly or riding the bench, Buffalo Sabres goalie Carter Hutton doesn’t change his behavior, according to coach Ralph Krueger.

“That makes him really unique,” Krueger said. “Like, even on a game day, he’s always there still giving to the team and supporting, whereas often goalies will check out. … But he’s exactly the same guy. Like, you don’t notice a change at all.”

So for the last month, as Hutton ... 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

Linus Ullmark emerges as Sabres’ No. 1 goalie during Carter Hutton’s slump

BUFFALO – If Carter Hutton were performing close to his usual standards, the Sabres goalie would likely start tonight’s home game against the St. Louis Blues.

Hutton, 33, spent two seasons with the Blues, playing 61 games before signing a three-year, $8.25 million contract with the Sabres.

The veteran, of course, probably wants to face the Blues, the defending Stanley Cup champions, badly.

But for the for the ninth time in the last 12 games, ... Read the full article

Terrific week earns Sabres captain Jack Eichel NHL third star honors

A league-best seven points in four games helped Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel earn the NHL’s third star for the week ending Dec. 8.

Eichel, 23, compiled two goals and five assists to extend his career-best point streak to 13 games (10 goals, 23 points). Meanwhile, a 2-1-1 mark moved the Sabres into third place in the Atlantic Division.

Right now, Eichel is enjoying the best stretch of his five-year career.

The center had a ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Colin Miller trying to stay positive during tough start

TORONTO – Who expected Buffalo Sabres defenseman Colin Miller would be a healthy scratch once this season, let alone six times before December?

But a crowded blue line – the Sabres have seven healthy defensemen, including five right-handed shots – forced them to bench one in eight recent games.

Miller, 27, was usually the odd man out.

“I’m not getting many bounces lately,” Miller said prior to Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Casey Mittelstadt scores goal, ends long slump: ‘It’s not easy’

BUFFALO – Like most elite prospects, Casey Mittelstadt was a dynamic scorer in junior and college. So struggling for weeks sometimes in the NHL has been a new experience for the Sabres winger.

“It’s not easy, I’m not going to lie,” Mittelstadt said after scoring in Friday afternoon’s 6-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs inside KeyBank Center, his first goal in 17 games. “But at the same time, I’ve scored pretty much my whole ... Read the full article