Murray - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs ‘feeling good’ but still in NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

For four days, coach Don Granato said the Buffalo Sabres have been hoping center Peyton Krebs can test out of the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Granato said Krebs, who entered protocol Jan. 4, is “feeling good.”

“It’s one of those unpredictable things,” Granato said on a Zoom call this afternoon from Nashville, where the Sabres play the Predators tonight. “So he’s doing what he can. Obviously, he has to stay isolated … and keep himself in ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch thrilled to rejoin Sabres after COVID-19 quarantine

BUFFALO – While he quarantined in his apartment, Sabres winger Alex Tuch received a few items from the rink, including some workout bands, so he could exercise a bit.

But Tuch, who said he felt symptom-free after testing positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday, did not do much formal exercising. Instead, he tried to eat healthy, sleep well and stay active around his place.

“If that meant cleaning the apartment two to three times a day, ... Read the full article

As Tage Thompson enters COVID-19 protocol, other Sabres close to leaving

BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato knew it would happen again. COVID-19 has been clobbering the NHL, forcing hundreds of players into protocol over the past several weeks, including 11 Sabres.

“When’s it going to happen to the next guy the way it’s going around the league and around the world?” Granato said following Monday’s practice. “It happens today.”

On Monday, shortly after prospect Jack Quinn joined the Sabres, top center Tage Thompson, the team’s leading ... Read the full article

Talented Anders Bjork returns to Sabres looking for more consistency

BUFFALO – Over his first 44 games with the Sabres, winger Anders Bjork has struggled to maintain consistency, mostly showcasing flashes of his talent.

Bjork, 25, scored opening night before beginning a 10-game goalless stretch. After scoring in back-to-back contests, he endured a 12-game goal drought in which he was scratched twice.

Sabres coach Don Granato said Bjork must learn to regularly imprint his identity as a player – “His is speed and quickness,” he ... Read the full article

Sabres send three players to Amerks; Casey Mittelstadt ‘excited’ about rehab

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Friday assigned forwards Brett Murray and Ryan MacInnis and defenseman Ethan Prow to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres don’t play again until Tuesday, while the Amerks hosted the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday and play a road game against the Syracuse Crunch tonight.

All three played for the Amerks on Friday.

Murray, 23, had made 15 straight appearances with the Sabres. Overall this season, he has played 16 NHL games, ... Read the full article

Brett Murray generating confidence, earning keep with Sabres

BUFFALO – The emotion of the moment overwhelmed Brett Murray, and with the home crowd roaring in approval of his first NHL fight, the normally subdued Sabres rookie did something uncharacteristic.

As the 6-foot-5, 228-pound Murray skated off the KeyBank Center ice last Wednesday, he implored the fans to make more noise, emphatically raising his arms and yelling, “Let’s go!”

“Watching it back, I think I blacked out for a little bit skating off ... Read the full article

COVID-19 keeps hitting Sabres; Ethan Prow could make NHL debut

BUFFALO – Make that four. In addition to forwards Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch, it appears another player, defenseman Ethan Prow, will be making his Sabres debut tonight.

Like Peterka, Prow, 29, has never played in the NHL. Ironically, Peterka and Prow were teammates last season with Red Bull Munich, a Deutsche Eishockey Liga team.

The Sabres this morning recalled Prow to the taxi squad and Casey Fitzgerald to the active roster because ... Read the full article

Debuts of Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch offer Sabres some hope

BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ recent history, games as significant as tonight’s can be counted on one hand. How often have three highly regarded young players – in this case, forwards Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch – all made their debuts together?

Their presence illustrates that after a decade of futility, maybe – just maybe – a franchise known for dysfunction is starting to get things rights.

In less than a year, the ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch to fulfill dream by playing for Sabres: ‘Excited as anybody I’ve seen’

BUFFALO – What makes winger Alex Tuch’s passion for the Sabres so unique is that he possessed it long before the team acquired him Nov. 4.

Tuch, 25, grew up in Baldwinsville, about 150 miles from KeyBank Center, rooting for his beloved Sabres. He attended games, owned jerseys and reveled in their success.

So from the get-go, Tuch, who’s scheduled to make his Sabres debut tonight, fit right in. He feels the same excitement as ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch set to make Sabres debut; Tage Thompson misses practice

BUFFALO – The date Sabres winger Alex Tuch underwent shoulder surgery is seared in his mind.

“Two days less than five months since surgery,” Tuch said following this morning’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “It’s been a long road.”

That road is about to end. Coach Don Granato said today that Tuch will play his first game with the Sabres, the team he adored growing up in Baldwinsville, on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“He’s ... Read the full article