WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Lindy Ruff instructs his players on the bench Sunday afternoon. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – For three years, ex-Sabres coach Lindy Ruff enjoyed no longer being the guy in charge as an assistant with the New York Rangers.
Ruff’s new duties – he hadn’t served in a secondary role since 1997 – offered him an opportunity to regularly interact with players on a much different level.
“Not having to be that guy that has to lay down the law or (be) really upset with different plays but more ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has played one game this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled Casey Mittelstadt this morning from the taxi squad, so the forward will play in this afternoon’s game against the New Jersey Devils, right?
Well, while Mittelstadt is back on the roster, coach Ralph Krueger wouldn’t reveal his lineup, including today’s starting goalie. He said 13 forwards and seven defensemen will skate in the pregame warm-up inside KeyBank Center.
Update: Mittelstadt warmed up at left wing beside top center Jack Eichel ... Read the full article
Victor Oloffson scored a power-play goal Saturday afternoon. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, the Sabres might’ve lost a game like Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils.
The Sabres looked disjointed much of the day, uncharacteristically taking a string of penalties and blowing two leads, including one in the waning minutes.
Still, they prevailed again, earning their third one-goal victory this season.
“That’s a sign of good teams,” Sabres center Eric Staal said of finding a way to win. ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart hasn’t missed a game in four years. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – An upper-body injury will sideline Sabres winger Sam Reinhart for this afternoon’s game against the New Jersey Devils, coach Ralph Krueger said.
Winger Tage Thompson will replace Reinhart, who was injured in Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers.
Thompson has sat out three straight games and four of the last five as a healthy scratch. Reinhart, meanwhile, hasn’t missed a game since late in 2016-17.
The 6-foot-7, 219-pound Thompson, 23, ... Read the full article
Taylor Hall has recorded seven points in his first eight games with Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Taylor Hall’s eight-game start with the Sabres looks a bit underwhelming.
The ultra-talented winger has recorded just one goal, a power-play score way back on opening night, and was moved to the second line Thursday. He has mustered just one assist in the last five games.
Of course, two weeks is a small sample size. Hall has registered seven points, so he has produced offense at a rate close to his career average ... Read the full article
Chris Taylor spent three seasons leading Rochester. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The New Jersey Devils have hired former Rochester Americans head coach Chris Taylor as an assistant on Lindy Ruff’s staff, the team announced today.
Taylor played for Ruff over parts of four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. Ruff, who was hired by New Jersey on July 9, also added Dave Rogalski as goalie coach to complete his staff.
Ruff named Mark Recchi and Alain Nasreddine his first assistants in September.
New Buffalo general manager Kevyn ... Read the full article
Wayne Simmonds waived his no-trade clause to leave New Jersey. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ core group of young players has never played a meaningful late-season NHL game. This upcoming stretch will be a new experience.
A perfect weekend moved the Sabres to within six points of the Atlantic Division’s final playoff spot with 20 games remaining. A team given up for dead has roared back into the postseason hunt.
So Sabres general manager Jason Botterill dealt aggressively before Monday’s trade deadline, acquiring winger Wayne Simmonds... Read the full article
Wayne Simmonds (17) battles Ryan O’Reilly in the 2016-17 season. ©2020, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres have acquired winger Wayne Simmonds from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2021, the teams announced this afternoon.
The pick can turn into a fourth-rounder if the Sabres make the playoffs and Simmonds plays 10 games. The Devils will retain half of Simmonds’ $5 million salary.
The acquisition is significant. General manager Jason Botterill, whose Sabres have crept within six points of the Atlantic Division’s ... Read the full article
Conor Sheary scored twice Monday. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Over the past week or so, the Sabres settled down and started showcasing some of the early-season form that made them one of the NHL’s heavyweights.
Their ability to play tighter defense helped them consistently generate more offense. While it had only resulted in two wins, it felt like the Sabres could bust out soon.
Luckily for them, the hapless New Jersey Devils visited town.
In its 22-year existence, around 2,700 periods of ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo suffered a concussion Nov. 16. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Right away, Kyle Okposo knew something was wrong. Having suffered at least three concussions earlier in his Sabres career, the winger understands the symptoms well.
“I just knew right away that the neck wasn’t good,” said Okposo, who suffered his fourth concussion Nov. 16 when he collided with Ottawa Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey leaving the bench.
Right now, Okposo feels good again. The affable veteran smiled and was upbeat Monday morning after skating ... Read the full article
