Linus Ullmark has started one game this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark to start against scorching Predators

BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Phil Housley said last week he planned to give goalie Linus Ullmark some starts, you figured he might ease the prospect in early.

Remember, while Ullmark has played 22 NHL contests, 20 of his appearances came as a rookie in 2015-16. The Swede has spent most of the last two seasons in the AHL.

But Housley will throw Ullmark, 24, into the fray against the scorching Nashville Predators tonight ... Read the full article

Phil Housley spent four years in Nashville. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Experience with Predators special for Sabres coach Phil Housley

BUFFALO – By about 2013, Phil Housley knew it was time to take a crack at the NHL.

When Housley retired from his 21-year career as a defenseman in 2003, he went home to Minnesota and enjoyed life as a husband and father while coaching the boy’s team at Stillwater High School.

After so many years moving around North America, Housley, who now coaches the Sabres, wanted to settle down and watch his children grow ... Read the full article

The Sabres have used their current logo since 2010-11. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Report: Sabres to make uniform changes next season

The Buffalo Sabres are one of 12 NHL teams that will make changes to their uniform next season, according to sportslogos.net.

Don’t, however, expect a big overhaul. The changes could be as small as a few tweaks. The Sabres will keep their primary logo.

The changes will come with the NHL’s switch from Reebok to Adidas as their jersey manufacturer in 2017-18.

The Sabres have worn their current blue home jersey with the charging ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel (15) stickhandles past handles past Nashville’s Mattias Ekholm on Tuesday. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres implode late, lose to Predators in OT

BUFFALO – Before today’s trade deadline hits, before the reeling Sabres sell off assets, they imploded again Tuesday, illustrating why they’ll soon complete their sixth straight season without a playoff appearance.

Up 4-2 against the Nashville Predators late before 18,634 fans inside KeyBank Center, the Sabres frittered away a two-goal lead third-period lead for the second straight game, losing 5-4 in overtime.

Thanks to four straight losses, the Sabres are six points out of the ... Read the full article

Brian Gionta’s three-year contract will expire following the season. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Captain Brian Gionta wants to stay with Sabres

BUFFALO – Brian Gionta said it again Tuesday, that despite a small chance of reaching the playoffs and an expiring contract, he wants to stay with the Sabres, the team he has captained three seasons.

“I’ve made my position pretty clear,” Gionta said prior to the Sabres’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators inside KeyBank Center. “I’d like to stay here. I’d like to be here going on in the future. I want to ... Read the full article

Brian Gionta joined the Sabres in 2014. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres captain Brian Gionta: ‘I want to see this thing through’

BUFFALO – Brian Gionta said it again this morning, that despite an expiring contract, he wants to stay with the Sabres, the team he has captained three seasons.

“I’ve made my position pretty clear,” Gionta said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Nashville Predators inside KeyBank Center. “I’d like to stay here. I’d like to be here going on in the future. I want to see this thing through.”

Of course, the ... Read the full article

Linus Ullmark has played an AHL-high 42 games this season. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Goalie Linus Ullmark returns to Sabres’ net

BUFFALO – This campaign, Linus Ullmark’s second in North America, has turned into what the loquacious Sabres goalie thought his rookie season would be like.

“Maybe some call-ups, whatever,” said Ullmark, who will likely start tonight against the Nashville Predators inside KeyBank Center, his first NHL nod since April 9.

Update: Robin Lehner is healthy and will apparently start tonight. Ullmark isn’t dressed.

Early in 2015-16, after only a few AHL appearances following surgery on ... Read the full article

Evander Kane has enjoyed a terrific three-month stretch. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Slumping Sabres have assets to trade

BUFFALO – So what should the Sabres sell off before Wednesday’s trade deadline? After their most wrenching weekend in years, they can’t possibly be buyers, right?

Brutal road losses to the hapless Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes kicked them down the standings, effectively eliminating them from contention with 20 games left.

Desperate for wins, the Sabres couldn’t handle the NHL’s two worst teams. Think about that. Against the Coyotes, they frittered away a 2-0 third-period ... Read the full article

Derek Grant (27) battles Winnipeg’s Ben Chiarot on Jan. 7. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres claim Derek Grant off waivers

BUFFALO – The Sabres reclaimed center Derek Grant off waivers from the Nashville Predators today and sent him to the Rochester Americans.

Grant started the season with the Sabres, playing 35 games. But Nashville grabbed the 26-year-old on waivers Jan. 11, and he played six games with the Predators, who waived him Sunday.

Grant offers the Sabres, who struggled to replace him, a fourth-line center. They have been using winger Nick Deslauriers for a ... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian scored his first goal Saturday. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Depleted Sabres defense thrives

BUFFALO – In 25 years as a professional coach and player, coach Dan Bylsma said he had never seen it before. In Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win in Montreal, the Sabres dressed five right-handed defensemen.

“Kind of an odd situation,” Bylsma said Monday inside HarborCenter after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s road tilt against the Nashville Predators.

Unlike other sports, lefties are more plentiful in hockey. According to the New York Daily News, a whopping 62 ... Read the full article