O'Reilly - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Healthy Sabres defense corps presents problem

BUFFALO – In reality, it’s a good problem. With Josh Gorges ready to play, the Sabres have eight healthy defensemen. Given the rough-and-tumble nature of the position, bodies are always at a premium, especially at this time of year.

Still, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma doesn’t like it much. He’s already had to mothball defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, who has played one game since Dec. 7. Now someone else must sit.

What will the Sabres do? Could ... Read the full article

Sabres feel rested, ready for final stretch following break

BUFFALO – Instead of jetting away for a quick vacation during the NHL All-Star break, Dan Bylsma stayed close to home and enjoyed a rare breather from the arduous six-month season. The Sabres coach still watched some AHL games in Rochester, but he mostly relaxed and spent a little time fishing.

After getting “muddied out” of one trip, Bylsma caught 15 steelhead at an undisclosed location.

“We had a very good day of steelhead fishing,” ... Read the full article

Sabres emerge from NHL All-Star break healed up

BUFFALO – Before the Sabres started their first post-NHL All-Star break practice this afternoon inside HarborCenter, coach Dan Bylsma wanted his team to scrimmage. But instead of using five on a side, he had the entire team go out and threw two pucks on the ice.

He also instructed players to use their opposite hands, so lefties shot righty and vice versa.

As you might expect, it looked pretty odd. It wasn’t easy, either.

“It’s ... Read the full article

Sabres send forwards to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent forwards Cal O’Reilly, Tim Schaller and Phil Varone to the Rochester Americans today, the start of the NHL All-Star break.

The Amerks host the Syracuse Crunch tonight.

O’Reilly, 29, has one assist in five NHL games this season. Schaller, 25, has one goal and three points in 17 appearances. Varone, 25, has one goal in four games.

O’Reilly is eligible again to play in the AHL All-Star Game on ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cal O’Reilly waited for fresh NHL opportunity

BUFFALO – For sure, Cal O’Reilly said, the thought had crossed his mind. Before he even hit his late 20s, the Sabres forward knew his NHL dream could be over.

Despite some big league success and gaudy minor league numbers, teams never showed much interest in the playmaker after he broke his leg with the Nashville Predators five years ago. O’Reilly, 29, understood he might have to settle into a career as a very good ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson moves up to scoring line

BUFFALO – Don’t call it a promotion. Winger Matt Moulson hardly earned his spot beside No. 1 center Ryan O’Reilly and Evander Kane for the Sabres’ 3-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. The struggling veteran hasn’t scored since Nov. 1, a stunning 36-game stretch.

With winger Sam Reinhart sidelined about a week with an upper-body injury, the Sabres are down three of their top nine forwards. Limited options forced coach Dan Bylsma ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson moves up; Sam Reinhart out a week

BUFFALO – Matt Moulson’s move up to the wing beside No. 1 center Ryan O’Reilly and Evander Kane is hardly a promotion for the struggling Sabres veteran, who hasn’t scored in 35 straight games entering tonight’s tilt against the Detroit Red Wings

With winger Sam Reinhart sidelined about a week with an upper-body injury, the Sabres are down three of their top nine forwards. Limited options forced coach Dan Bylsma to move Moulson up ... Read the full article

Sabres could be active again before trade deadline

BUFFALO – Don’t let four impressive wins in the last six games fool you. The Sabres still rank last in the Atlantic Division and 29^th in the 30-team NHL.

Yes, they’ve improved greatly this season. Still, they’re 11 points out of the Eastern Conference’s last wild card spot entering tonight’s home tilt against the Detroit Red Wings inside the First Niagara Center.

The Sabres are going to miss the playoffs for the fifth straight ... Read the full article

Sabres throttle Capitals, end home skid

BUFFALO – Count the Sabres’ exciting 4-1 shellacking of the high-powered Washington Capitals on Saturday as perhaps the most impressive victory felt in these parts in years.

The 29^th-ranked Sabres ended a five-game home losing streak while manhandling the league-leading Capitals, who roared into the First Niagara Center having won five straight contests and 14 of the last 16.

This one was never in doubt and had a little bit of everything. First-period ... Read the full article

Phil Varone one of Amerks caught in veteran crunch

ROCHESTER – One of the oddest situations in the minors is unfolding with the AHL Americans, the Buffalo Sabres’ high-priced affiliate. The club has too many veterans, meaning some notable talent earning six figures has been forced to sit out to comply with league development rules.

The Amerks scratched Jerry D’Amigo and Patrick Kaleta, two forwards with 379 games of NHL experience, Friday. Forward Matt Ellis, an alternate captain less than a year removed ... Read the full article