Mittelstadt - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Three more Sabres back from COVID-19; Rasmus Ristolainen still out

Sabres rookie Dylan Cozens started doing the math in his head. After testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, he was forced to quarantine for the third time in less than three months.

“I was just adding up the days,” Cozens said on a Zoom call this afternoon from Washington. “Since Nov. 25, I’ve quarantined for 35 days or something, just in a hotel room. So it’s been a lot, for sure.”

Cozens, 20, also ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt final Sabres player removed COVID-19 absences list

Forward Casey Mittelstadt late this afternoon was the final Sabres player removed from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list.

The Sabres, who had nine players on the list last week, have no one on it for the first time since Feb. 1.

Four Sabres who landed on the absences list – defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Jake McCabe and wingers Taylor Hall and Tobias Rieder – played at least one game against the New York Islanders ... Read the full article

Three more Sabres removed from COVID-related absences list

BUFFALO – The NHL late this afternoon removed Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and forwards Dylan Cozens and Curtis Lazar from the COVID-19 protocol-related absences list.

Forward Casey Mittelstadt is the only Sabres player left on the absences list. They had nine players on it last week.

Sabres defensemen Jake McCabe and Brandon Montour were taken off the absences list earlier today. They could play tonight against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jake McCabe, Brandon Montour ready to play, but lineup still unclear

Jack McCabe and Brandon Montour have been cleared to play, so the Buffalo Sabres defensemen will be in tonight’s lineup against the New York Islanders, right?

Well, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger wouldn’t reveal if McCabe and Montour, both of whom tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, will play.

“It doesn’t really give us any advantage to reveal our final decisions,” Krueger said on a Zoom call following this morning’s optional skate at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tobias Rieder returns to lineup, Buffalo adds new players

BUFFALO – When Sabres winger Tobias Rieder learned earlier this month he had tested positive for COVID-19, the news shocked him.

The German felt fine. He figured the result couldn’t be correct.

“But sure enough, a couple hours after I could feel the symptoms,” Rieder said prior to Monday’s 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ first outing since Jan. 31.

Rieder, 28, said he experienced “a rough couple days.” ... Read the full article

Ralph Krueger returns to Sabres: ‘Time to realize how lethal this COVID is’

BUFFALO – Ralph Krueger only stayed on the ice about 15 minutes. After the Sabres coach chatted with several players and exchanged some fist-bumps, he left and watched Sunday’s practice from the KeyBank Center stands.

But just having an opportunity to touch the ice for a spell and enjoy some brief interactions helped recharge Krueger, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 4.

“Just this morning, when the players arrived and we passed each other, ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin added to COVID-related absences list; Sabres plan to practice

On Monday morning, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin became the ninth Buffalo Sabres player added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list. Hours later, the league postponed two more of the team’s games.

In a best-case scenario, if the Sabres can play their next scheduled contest in six days, they will have gone 15 days between games and have six they must make up.

Of course, that is a big if. So far, the league has removed ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt added to COVID-related absences list

Forward Casey Mittelstadt on Sunday became the eighth Buffalo Sabres player the NHL has added to its COVID-19 protocol-related absences list.

In addition, the Sabres announced Thursday that coach Ralph Krueger, 61, had tested positive for COVID-19 and would enter the NHL’s protocol.

On Saturday, Sabres forwards Dylan Cozens and Curtis Lazar joined the COVID-19 list. Wingers Taylor Hall and Tobias Rieder and defensemen Jake McCabe, Brandon Montour and Rasmus Ristolainen were added earlier ... Read the full article

Why did Ralph Krueger hide Sabres’ lines from Lindy Ruff, Devils?

BUFFALO – In Sunday afternoon’s pregame warm-up, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger showcased the same lines he had utilized the previous day against the New Jersey Devils, with one exception.

Casey Mittelstadt, who was replacing Tage Thompson, skated at left wing beside top center Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson.

Then when Sunday’s contest started, Krueger changed three of four Sabres’ lines. Only one trio from warm-ups – center Cody Eakin, left wing ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt impressing Sabres, could earn more game action

BUFFALO – Having spent the entire game skating on the fourth line, Casey Mittelstadt hardly seemed like a forward Sabres coach Ralph Krueger would utilize in the waning seconds of a one-goal game.

Mittelstadt, 22, was only making his second appearance this season in Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The Sabres had just elevated him from the taxi squad earlier in the day.

Krueger had two former 40-goal scorers – Jeff ... Read the full article