Jimmy Vesey (13) stands in front of Dallas’ Esa Lindell on Oct. 14. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres’ Jimmy Vesey practices, hopes to return Saturday

BUFFALO – So much for Jimmy Vesey being week-to-week. The Sabres winger practiced this morning inside LECOM HarborCenter and would like to return from his upper-body injury Saturday against the New York Islanders.

“I got to see the doctor to get cleared,” Vesey said inside KeyBank Center. “If not Saturday, hopefully soon.”

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said Vesey is now day-to-day.

Vesey was injured in last Thursday’s 6-2 loss, his first game in New York ... Read the full article

Brandon Montour has missed 13 games. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres’ Brandon Montour ready to play

BUFFALO – The Sabres plan to ease Brandon Montour into the lineup, so the defenseman likely won’t play back-to-back games this weekend.

Montour, 25, injured his left hand in a preseason game Sept. 17, costing him most of training camp and the first 13 games this season.

Asking him to play Friday against the Washington Capitals and Saturday versus the New York Islanders would be a bit much.

“He’s definitely doubtful for two games this ... Read the full article

John Gilmour made his season debut Friday. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres notes: John Gilmour seizes early chance after waiting 11 games

BUFFALO – John Gilmour had never waited so long to play a game. After appearing in the Sabres’ preseason finale Sept. 27, the defenseman sat out 11 contests before making his season debut Friday.

So Gilmour, the Sabres’ spare defender, patiently waited 28 days for his opportunity to materialize as the blue line remained healthy.

Gilmour, of course, acknowledged being a healthy scratch can be difficult. But he still reveled in the Sabres’ early-season success.... Read the full article

Brandon Montour hurt his hand Sept. 17. ©2019, Janet Schultz

Sabres lose Marco Scandella to injury as Brandon Montour nears return

BUFFALO – For three or four weeks after Brandon Montour injured his left hand, the Sabres defenseman would dress in his full gear and skate around the ice without a stick.

“You can imagine how frustrating and how tough that was,” Montour said after returning to practice today inside KeyBank Center.

Montour, out since Sept. 17, couldn’t grip a stick at first. But he has graduated to full-contact practices and is officially day-to-day.

“I ... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian had hip surgery in April. ©2019, Janet Schultz

Sabres notes: Zach Bogosian skating again, expected to play this season

BUFFALO – When the Sabres announced defenseman Zach Bogosian had undergone successful hip surgery, they said he would need five to six months to recover.

That was six months ago today.

Bogosian, who has battled injuries for years, suffered setbacks during the summer and hasn’t even started practicing yet.

But Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said prior to Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks he believes Bogosian, 29, will play this season.... Read the full article

Henri Jokiharju has been playing in key situations. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres notes: Henri Jokiharju earning keep on blue line

BUFFALO – Ralph Krueger doesn’t pay much attention to his players’ ages. Whether you’re a teenager and or a veteran, the Sabres coach said he treats everyone the same way.

In turn, Krueger expects a rookie to have the same habits as, say, a 35-year-old.

“So for younger players, that could sometimes put pressure on them,” Krueger said prior to Friday’s 3-2 shootout win over the Florida Panthers inside KeyBank Center. “For older players, it ... Read the full article

Jake McCabe joined the Sabres late in 2013-14. ©2019, Hickling Images

Marcus Johansson, Jake McCabe named Sabres’ alternate captains

BUFFALO – New Sabres coach Ralph Krueger announced today he has named center Marcus Johansson and defenseman Jake McCabe alternate captains for the 2019-20 season.

“We feel that that’s a strong group for the ice,” Krueger said following today’s practice inside KeyBank Center.

Johansson and McCabe replace defenseman Zach Bogosian and winger Kyle Okposo.... Read the full article

Victor Olofsson will be back soon. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres send Victor Olofsson, Henri Jokiharju to Amerks, make other moves

BUFFALO – In what are almost certainly paper transactions, the Sabres sent winger Victor Olofsson and defenseman Henri Jokiharju to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

The Sabres also recalled forwards Jean-Sebastien Dea and Curtis Lazar and defenseman Lawrence Pilut.

In addition, the Sabres placed defensemen Zach Bogosian, Matt Hunwick and Brandon Montour and goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on injured reserve.... Read the full article

Chris Taylor knows the Sabres well. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres expect Chris Taylor to fit in well as interim assistant coach

BUFFALO – Having just spent most of training camp with the Sabres, coach Ralph Krueger expects Chris Taylor to transition to the NHL smoothly.

The Sabres promoted Taylor, the Rochester Americans’ head coach, on an interim basis today to replace assistant coach Don Granato, who’s hospitalized with pneumonia.

Granato, 52, will be taking a medical leave from the Sabres.

“The curve is in the right direction,” Krueger said of Granato’s health following today’s practice ... Read the full article

Counting the playoffs, Tage Thompson played 11 games with Rochester last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Tage Thompson could dominate AHL with Amerks

BUFFALO – During his 11-game run in Rochester late last season, Sabres prospect Tage Thompson often looked dominant, utilizing his big body and talents to score eight goals.

Thompson, 21, probably should’ve spent most of the campaign with the Americans. But the Sabres, perhaps to show they had something from the Ryan O’Reilly trade, kept the 6-foot-6 winger in the NHL.

So instead of thriving in the AHL, Thompson stayed in Buffalo until late March, ... Read the full article