WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Kyle Okposo has one season remaining on his seven-year contract. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
As expected, the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday named veteran winger Kyle Okposo the 20th full-time captain in franchise history.
The team also announced veteran forward Zemgus Girgensons and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will serve as alternate captains.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams announced the new leadership group Saturday at a team function.... Read the full article
Vinnie Hinostroza re-signed with Buffalo during the summer. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres scratched Victor Olofsson for Tuesday’s preseason game, so Vinnie Hinostroza earned a promotion to the top line, skating at right wing beside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner.
Early in the 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, Hinostroza grabbed a nifty pass from Skinner high in the slot and roofed a shot in as he zoomed to the net.
On Wednesday, the Sabres, having lost Kyle Okposo to an upper-body ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo left Tuesday’s preseason win early. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato said winger Kyle Okposo, who suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday’s 4-2 exhibition win, could be ready for next Thursday’s season opener.
“It’s going to take a few days for him,” Granato said following Wednesday’s session of training camp at KeyBank Center. “The issue he’s dealing with will resolve. … You’ll probably see him on the ice in a couple of days.”
Okposo left the game against the ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson scores a breakaway goal Tuesday on Carolina goalie Pyotr Kochetkov. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson pounced on Jalen Chatfield, making the defenseman pay for his open-ice hit on winger Vinnie Hinostroza early in Tuesday’s 4-2 preseason win over the Carolina Hurricanes’ junior varsity squad.
In fighting Chatfield 15:41 into the game, Thompson quickly completed a Gordie Howe hat trick – he scored a goal and recorded an assist earlier in the period – and further illustrated the tight-knit group the Sabres have become.
Thompson, ... Read the full article
JJ Peterka has registered one assist in three preseason games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato said it’s only natural that Sabres rookie JJ Peterka might be pressing as he battles to earn a roster spot out of training camp.
So far, Peterka, 20, has had an underwhelming preseason, registering just one assist in three outings.
“I would love to score a little bit more right now,” Peterka said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “But for me, it’s just trying to find my game and getting ... Read the full article
JJ Peterka could start the season in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After reassigning 23 players over the weekend, the Sabres nearly have their regular-season roster set.
On Monday, 28 players – 15 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goalies – practiced inside KeyBank Center. The Sabres held one session for the first time in training camp.
They must finalize their 23-man roster by 5 p.m. next Monday.
The Sabres, who have two preseason games left, starting with tonight’s home contest against the Carolina Hurricanes, have ... Read the full article
Matt Savoie has played two preseason games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the end, chances are the Sabres will assign center prospect Matt Savoie to his junior team before their season opener on Oct. 13.
Savoie, having established himself as one of the Western Hockey League’s elite talents, will join the Winnipeg Ice and almost certainly enjoy a dynamic season.
In the meantime, Savoie, the ninth overall pick this year, has an opportunity to keep impressing the Sabres.
Savoie, 18, is the only ... Read the full article
Brandon Biro (center) celebrates one of his goals Tuesday with Henri Jokiharju and Alex Tuch. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the first week of training camp, the Sabres have often been placing forward prospects with established talent, offering Brandon Biro, Lukas Rousek, Linus Weissbach and others special development opportunities.
The reasoning is simple: coach Don Granato believes his veterans will send consistent messages about what the Sabres want collectively as a team.
In Tuesday’s 2-1 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center, some of those prospects ranked among the best ... Read the full article
Matt Savoie also played in Sunday afternoon’s preseason opener. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Matt Savoie has integrated so quickly that coach Don Granato feels comfortable playing the rookie between veterans.
So tonight, less than a week into his first NHL training camp, Savoie, 18, will center Casey Mittelstadt and Kyle Okposo against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Savoie, the ninth overall pick this year, also played in Sunday afternoon’s preseason opener, a 4-3 overtime road win against the Washington Capitals.... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt played just 40 games last season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Early in his career, Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt never thought he would someday go golfing with his general manager. But there he was recently, sharing the course with Kevyn Adams.
On the final hole, Mittelstadt and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin each birdied, giving their team a victory over Adams’ trio.
Besides some healthy competition, the outing offered Adams and the players an opportunity to bond outside of the rink.
Mittelstadt, 23, enjoyed getting to ... Read the full article
