Peterka - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After trade, injuries, Michael Kesselring ready to make impact for Sabres

BUFFALO – After hurrying back from a knee injury, Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring said the ankle sprain he suffered just nine games into his season offered him a chance to “reset a little.”

Not that Kesselring, the Sabres’ biggest offseason acquisition, wanted to miss more time. But when he went down again Nov. 15, he said he was still battling his first injury a bit and “putting a lot of pressure” on himself.

“I didn’t ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Michael Kesselring set to return from injury; Justin Danforth ‘doing OK’

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring, who has missed the last 14 games with a lower-body injury, is expected to return tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Kesselring, the Sabres’ biggest offseason acquisition, hasn’t played since Nov. 15. He practiced Wednesday alongside defenseman Owen Power in his first session back.

“Kesselring indicated to me that he would be good to go, which is a great thing,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

JJ Peterka won’t say if he wanted to be traded from Sabres: ‘Focus is on Utah’

BUFFALO – Utah Mammoth winger JJ Peterka wanted no part of the questions and revisiting that part of his past here.

Before the Sabres traded him on June 26, did he request to be dealt? Did he want out of Buffalo?

“I met so many great people in the organization,” Peterka replied prior to Tuesday’s game, his first at KeyBank Center as a visitor. “I made so many good friends. But, yeah, I think ... Read the full article

After trade from Mammoth, Josh Doan, Michael Kesselring happy with Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres newcomers Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring clearly had a blast last season helping the Utah Mammoth establish roots in the franchise’s first year in Salt Lake City following 28 years in Arizona.

Tonight’s game at KeyBank Center, their first meeting against their former team since being traded to the Sabres, has likely been circled on the schedule for months.

On Sunday night, Kesselring said he and Doan texted with Utah center ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Noah Ostlund looking for first point; Michael Kesselring debuts

BUFFALO – So far, the scoring prowess center Noah Ostlund developed in the AHL – he recorded 18 goals and 34 points over a torrid 32-game stretch before the Sabres summoned him late last season – hasn’t translated to the NHL.

Ostlund began Tuesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in KeyBank Center, his 12th outing with the Sabres, having registered zero points.

Why has the Swede, 21, struggled to produce offense? A couple of ... Read the full article

Sabres to have healthy defense corps for first time all season

For the first time all season, the Sabres will have the six defensemen they envisioned playing together when they retooled their blue line during the offseason.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said this morning Michael Kesselring, who missed the first nine games with an undisclosed injury, will play tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center.

Injuries have ravaged the Sabres from the get-go this season. Since the beginning of training camp, 13 players ... Read the full article

Following trade, injury, Sabres’ Michael Kesselring excited to be healthy

BUFFALO – Having joined the Sabres as a key piece in an offseason trade, defenseman Michael Kesselring wasn’t about to let an injury derail his first training camp here.

Besides, Kesselring, 25, figured he was only battling a minor ailment.

“I didn’t think it was bad as it got to,” he said this morning after skating with his teammates for the first time since Oct. 1. “I didn’t think it was going to get that ... Read the full article

Jack Quinn scoring goals, developing into one of Sabres’ offensive drivers

BUFFALO – Exactly one year ago, in the early stages of the roughest stretch of his career, Sabres winger Jack Quinn hadn’t scored a goal and had already been scratched.

Today, fresh off a slick one-goal, three-point outing, Quinn has scored three times – that’s as many goals as Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch have combined this season – and is tied for the team lead with six points.

Quinn’s outburst has helped ... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Josh Doan displaying offensive growth: ‘Just seen a glimpse’

BUFFALO – At each level before he reached the NHL – junior, college and the AHL – Sabres winger Josh Doan showcased offensive growth in his second season.

With the Chicago Steel, he shook off a frustrating five-goal rookie year and scored 31 times. As a sophomore at Arizona State University, he upped his goal total from 12 to 16.

In his first taste of the pros, Doan registered three goals in 14 games for ... Read the full article

After rough season, Sabres’ Jack Quinn responds to challenge from Lindy Ruff

BUFFALO – On the surface, Jack Quinn’s 2024-25 season might look productive. The Sabres winger set career highs across the board, recording 15 goals, 24 assists and 39 points.

Of course, two other telling numbers must be attached to that stat line: minus-18, his team-worst rating, and six, the number of games he sat out as a healthy scratch before scoring his first goal against a goalie on Dec. 15.

“You look at a tough ... Read the full article