Ottawa Senators - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospects Owen Power, Devon Levi named to Canada’s Olympic team

Team Canada this morning named Buffalo Sabres prospects Owen Power and Devon Levi to its Olympic roster for the upcoming Beijing Games.

Both youngsters have enjoyed standout seasons, establishing themselves as two of the NCAA top talents.

The Sabres drafted Power, 19, first overall in 2020. The 6-foot-5, 214-pound defenseman has compiled three goals, 26 points and a plus-21 rating in 24 games for Michigan this season.

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Halfway through season, Sabres feel progress, excited about future

BUFFALO – When Don Granato took over the Sabres on interim basis 10 months ago, he said he treated the job like it would be his in the future.

So in his first days, Granato thrust some young players who had been getting scratched or skating short minutes down the lineup – centers Casey Mittelstadt and Tage Thompson, for example – into prominent roles.

Granato, of course, knew the Sabres would be trading or losing ... Read the full article

Sabres troubled by racial taunt Jordan Subban experienced: ‘It’s really sad’

BUFFALO – Kyle Okposo exhaled before answering the question. For the veteran winger, watching Jordan Subban, a defenseman for the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays, endure an alleged racial taunt in a game Saturday hit close to home.

“I’ve been through that before, I’ve had that feeling, and it’s not a good one,” Okposo, the first Black player to skate for the University of Minnesota, said Monday inside KeyBank Center. “And I can understand the rage ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Michael Houser dazzles in win over Senators: ‘He was amazing’

Forget that Michael Houser began this season in the ECHL, two levels below the NHL. Forget that eight days ago, the Buffalo Sabres goalie did not have a big league contract.

As Sabres coach Don Granato watched Houser, 29, up close for six weeks last year, he developed an appreciation for how well the veteran minor leaguer prepared himself, even as the team’s taxi squad goalie. When an opportunity to play his first four NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin showcasing evolving game, playing better defense

BUFFALO – When Rasmus Dahlin suffered a concussion in November, the injury created an opportunity for the Sabres defenseman.

Coach Ralph Krueger often says the Sabres utilize an injured player’s extra time by having “great coaching moments.”

So during his eight-game absence, Krueger said Dahlin, 19, studied film beside assistant coach Steve Smith, who runs the defense, multiple times.

“You can really calmly go through video and reflect and discuss,” Krueger said following Monday’s practice ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Carter Hutton, Johan Larsson expected to face Senators

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ralph Krueger expects goalie Carter Hutton and center Johan Larsson to play against the Ottawa Senators despite their absence from Monday’s practice for maintenance.

Meanwhile, the Sabres announced illness will keep winger Michael Frolik from playing tonight. The Czech did not travel with the team to Ottawa. He also missed Sunday’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“We’re not worried about any of these injuries,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Senators, goalie Linus Ullmark to injury

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel walked into the dressing room following Tuesday’s embarrassing 5-2 loss to the hapless Ottawa Senators seething.

At first, the center offered terse answers. He stared at a reporter who asked about the Sabres’ need for roster help.

But Eichel, whose Sabres just enjoyed a 10-day break between games, eventually opened up a little, letting his frustrations spew out.

Not only had one of the NHL’s also-rans just beaten the ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jason Botterill would like to add forward before trade deadline

BUFFALO – Even after acquiring Michael Frolik earlier this month, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill would like to add another forward before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

The Sabres’ depth up front, of course, was weak before Vladimir Sobotka and Tage Thompson both suffered season-ending injuries in November.

Right now, Victor Olofsson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Evan Rodrigues has been a huge disappointment, scoring just two goals and often sitting out as a ... Read the full article

Goalie Linus Ullmark thriving in new role as Sabres’ starter

BUFFALO – Goalie Linus Ullmark’s second full NHL season has quickly become a blur. The Swede has started 32 of the Sabres’ 49 games, putting him on pace to play a career-high 54 times entering tonight’s contest against the Ottawa Senators.

The loquacious Ullmark, 26, has enjoyed a massive workload since Nov. 19, starting 24 of the last 29 games. During his emergence as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, he has played more games and ... Read the full article

Victor Olofsson could enjoy one of Sabres’ greatest rookie seasons

BUFFALO – With the Sabres up one goal late Saturday afternoon, winger Victor Olofsson grabbed a pass at his own blue line, skated through the neutral zone and backhanded the puck into an empty net.

After the Los Angeles Kings scored in the final minute, Olofsson’s 16th goal this season became the winner in the Sabres’ 3-2 victory. It was also his 24th point in the last 22 games entering tonight’s road contest against ... Read the full article