O'Reilly - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo ‘uncertain’ for opener; Zach Bogosian ready to practice

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Kyle Okposo, who bruised his knee in practice Monday, is “uncertain” for Thursday’s season opener against Montreal, coach Dan Bylsma said.

“Long term, there’s not a concern, just the progression back to the ice … hasn’t happened quickly,” Bylsma said this afternoon following practice inside KeyBank Center.

Bylsma said Okposo has improved “exponentially” in recent days.

Meanwhile, defenseman Zach Bogosian (groin) is set to practice Tuesday, Bylsma said. The Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo has reaped benefits from changing approach

BUFFALO – It was about halfway through the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, and Kyle Okposo, fresh off his first 20-goal season with the New York Islanders, suddenly couldn’t score or do much of anything.

“I was lost,” the Sabres newcomer recalled earlier in training camp inside KeyBank Center.

Like some other players who stayed home instead of jetting overseas for a temporary gig during the work stoppage, Okposo tried to prepare and be ready for ... Read the full article

Prospect Brendan Guhle could make Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Brendan Guhle tries not to think about it. The defenseman doesn’t ask any questions, either.

He’s happy as long as he’s in Buffalo.

“It’s definitely a little nerve-racking, I’d say,” Guhle said Thursday inside KeyBank Center.

Six days before opening night, Guhle, 19, is still battling to make the Sabres out of training camp as a junior-age player, a rarity.

Thanks to injuries to defensemen Zach Bogosian (groin) and Dmitry Kulikov ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly day-to-day

BUFFALO – Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly is day-to-day after leaving Wednesday’s 3-2 preseason loss early as a precaution because of a spasm in his back and midsection, coach Dan Bylsma said.

O’Reilly, who was playing his first preseason game following the World Cup of Hockey, didn’t practice this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. He’s out of Friday’s exhibition finale in Ottawa, Bylsma said.

The Sabres, of course, are dealing with a slew of injuries exactly one ... Read the full article

Sabres want to rely on star Ryan O’Reilly less this season

BUFFALO – Dan Bylsma has a problem. It’s a good one, mind you. Most coaches would love to have it.

In Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly, he possesses one of the NHL’s most talented and versatile forwards, one he can throw on the ice in every conceivable situation.

A season ago, O’Reilly’s first with the Sabres, he skated 21 minutes, 44 seconds a game, most among NHL forwards. He deserved every second, quickly becoming the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly back from World Cup of Hockey

BUFFALO – After Team Canada announced its final World Cup of Hockey roster, Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly was told to be ready in case of an injury.

Fresh off an NHL All-Star season and a gold medal at the World Championship, O’Reilly, 25, had impressed enough to earn a coveted spot on the stacked Canadian squad’s short list for the tournament.

In early September, after O’Reilly had started skating informally with some Sabres, Canada general ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons positive after rough season

BUFFALO – Instead of dwelling on a season in which his offensive production plummeted and he struggled to find a role on the revamped Sabres, center Zemgus Girgensons said he’s “going all positive.”

“I’m not looking back,” Girgensons said Saturday following practice inside KeyBank Center. “It doesn’t matter what it was last year. It’s a brand new year, you start from all zeros. That’s how I look at it. I feel confident in myself and ... Read the full article

Justin Falk, Casey Nelson battling for Sabres’ last defense spot

BUFFALO – The blue line has been set for three months. When Dmitry Kulikov arrived via a trade at the NHL Draft, the Sabres had their sixth and final piece, a physical, puck-moving defenseman capable of playing top-pair minutes.

So barring an injury, a Rasmus Ristolainen contract problem or a very impressive training camp from a depth defender, the Sabres have their opening-night lineup: Kulikov, Ristolainen, Zach Bogosian, Cody Franson, Josh Gorges and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis strong in debut, will face Leafs

BUFFALO – In his first game in almost nine months Tuesday, slick Sabres winger Tyler Ennis skated aggressively, proving the season-ending concussion he suffered Dec. 30 wasn’t lingering in his mind.

“I like the way he skated,” coach Dan Bylsma said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. “He played with some urgency, he played with some jam. In the third period, he drew the penalty with his skating.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander ready for meeting with brother

BUFFALO – Growing up, Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander and his brother, William, a Toronto Maple Leafs youngster, were ultra-competitive in whatever game or sport they played.

So, despite being very close, the Nylanders would occasionally get a little emotional.

“We fought a lot, there was a lot when we were playing knee hockey, shinny,” Alexander Nylander said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “We always came clean after it and were best buddies again.”

Don’t expect ... Read the full article