Peterka - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Following injury-plagued year, Sabres express belief in Michael Kesselring: ‘We’ve seen the potential’

“Honestly, I think it’s been pretty good for me, and whenever the next opportunity comes, I’ll be probably the most ready I’ve been all year.” – Michael Kesselring on March 25 prior to sitting out his sixth straight game as a healthy scratch

BUFFALO – As he morphed into a spare part down the stretch, Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring tried to make the most of a difficult situation.

If the arrival of defensemen Logan ... Read the full article

Tenacious effort by Josh Doan creates Zach Benson’s goal to seal Game 6 and series for Sabres

BOSTON – Almost six minutes into Friday’s third period, with the Sabres clinging to a 2-1 lead and trying to close out their first-round series, winger Josh Doan and two Bruins took off down the ice when the puck slid out of the Buffalo zone.

After zooming past the Boston blue line, Doan moved between Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak as the puck approached the left side of the end boards.

As Pastrnak tied up ... Read the full article

After trade adds defense depth, Sabres’ Michael Kesselring sits out as scratch

BUFFALO – When the Sabres acquired defensemen Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley last week before the trade deadline, Michael Kesselring knew what was about to happen.

Kesselring, 26, has endured a difficult season after arriving in an offseason trade, battling injuries from the get-go and struggling to find a groove.

Adding two established talents to one of the NHL’s deepest blue lines meant he would likely be pushed out of the lineup.

“Once we made ... Read the full article

Sabres scratched Michael Kesselring to ‘just take a breath’

BUFFALO – Instead of dressing defenseman Michael Kesselring for Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave the newcomer a chance to reset.

Having battled injuries all year, Kesselring hasn’t found much of a groove. Since training camp, he has dealt with a knee injury and a high ankle sprain he re-injured.

In his first 23 outings, he showcased glimpses of what made him a coveted return in the ... Read the full article

Maturity, not just talent, earned Sabres’ Josh Doan new contract after trade

MONTREAL – Skill is just one part of Buffalo Sabres winger Josh Doan’s repertoire and why he earned a long-term contract extension during his breakout season.

At 23, barely 100 games into his NHL career, Doan possesses maturity that belies his age and limited experience.

“I think character sets him apart,” Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Thursday, a day after Doan signed a seven-year, $48.75 million extension. “His work ethic, he comes to ... Read the full article

As he battles injuries, Sabres’ Michael Kesselring ‘starving’ to make impact

MONTREAL – Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring said it three times.

“I’m starving,” he said this afternoon following the Sabres’ pregame skate in the Bell Centre. “I’m starving. I’m starving.”

The oft-injured Kesselring, having played just 17 games this season, is starving for some action and to make an impact. More than three months into his first campaign with Buffalo, he’s starving to simply record his first point.

Following a two-game absence, Kesselring, 25, could ... Read the full article

After trade, hot start, Sabres give Josh Doan huge contract extension

MONTREAL – When the Buffalo Sabres traded for Josh Doan almost seven months ago, they acquired an intriguing but unproven young winger who had never played a full NHL season.

Defenseman Michael Kesselring, not Doan, who on Wednesday signed a seven-year, $48.75 million contract extension, was viewed as the centerpiece of the blockbuster deal that sent winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth.

But to complete the trade, former Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams insisted ... Read the full article

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