Pilut - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Panthers claim Casey Fitzgerald off waivers; Buffalo could make roster move

BUFFALO – Given the depth the Sabres have built up over the last year, losing someone on waivers seemed inevitable. Sure enough, on Wednesday, the Florida Panthers nabbed defenseman Casey Fitzgerald off the wire.

As a 25-year-old right-shot defenseman, the chances of Fitzgerald clearing seemed low.

On Tuesday, the Sabres waived Fitzgerald to create a roster spot for defenseman Henri Jokiharju.... Read the full article

Lawrence Pilut clears waivers, assigned to Amerks by Sabres

BUFFALO – Defenseman Lawrence Pilut this afternoon cleared waivers and was assigned by the Sabres to the Rochester Americans.

Pilut, who turns 27 today, compiled one goal and three points in 17 games during his recall to Buffalo.

“It’s good that we have tough decisions,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following today’s practice. “He’s filled in very admirably and showed to get better. So the message to him is simple, we don’t want to lose ... Read the full article

After blizzard ravages Buffalo, Sabres return to work with heavy hearts

BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams’ mother-in-law lives about a half mile from him in Clarence, so on Christmas Eve, as a devastating blizzard ravaged the region, he decided to brave the elements and check on her.

“Wrapped up and got out there,” the general manager said prior to Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ first game since Dec.

The short walk ended up taking Adams two hours there and ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Asplund ‘resets’ after scratches; Ilya Lyubushkin skates

BUFFALO – Late last month, Rasmus Asplund began what he called a “reset.” The Sabres winger felt the details slipping in his game, and he struggled so badly he sat out five straight games as a healthy scratch.

“I just needed to reset everything, start on a new page and get back to my game,” Asplund said prior to Tuesday’s 6-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center.

That game, the Swede said, ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early but roar back in loss to Penguins: ‘A ton of chances’

PITTSBURGH – With the Buffalo Sabres trailing by one goal in the waning minutes of Saturday’s 3-1 loss, winger JJ Peterka set up a splendid scoring chance for linemate Jack Quinn at the top of the right circle.

But instead of unleashing a shot on goalie Casey DeSmith, the rookie quickly passed to center Dylan Cozens, who couldn’t handle the puck in the left circle.

“Everybody watching wishes Jack Quinn would have taken that shot ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Henri Jokiharju sidelined by lower-body injury; D recalled

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Penguins and will be sidelined week to week.

Jokiharju, 23, was injured early but finished the game, playing 23 minutes, 59 seconds. The Finn possibly hurt himself blocking Evgeni Malkin’s shot late in the first period.

With Jokiharju sidelined, defenseman Lawrence Pilut will likely move into the lineup tonight against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Granato ... Read the full article

After slow start and scratches, Sabres’ Peyton Krebs contributing again

BUFFALO – When the Sabres scratched Peyton Krebs four out of five games late last month, Tage Thompson texted his teammate one night and reminded him of what he experienced not long ago.

By now, Thompson’s story is well known. The center struggled for years to make a mark. Less than two seasons ago, he was a healthy scratch. Today, of course, he’s one of the NHL’s most prolific goal scorers.

“When he was my ... Read the full article

Sabres beat Sharks, get more scoring from ‘Kid Line’: ‘A lot of chemistry’

BUFFALO – If the struggling Sabres couldn’t fix some of their recent problems and earn a much-needed win against the lowly San Jose Sharks, well, you had to wonder when they’d ever get on track.

The Sharks limped into town Sunday to close a four-game road trip having lost four of their last five contests, including a defeat a night earlier in Ottawa.

They were ripe to be beaten and the Sabres, as their 6-3 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin wowed by Erik Karlsson’s start: ‘Amazing to watch’

BUFFALO – The comparisons are inevitable given that both defensemen hail from Sweden and have a penchant for making jaw-dropping plays.

Sometimes when Rasmus Dahlin makes a slick move or scores a highlight-reel goal, he will inevitably hear Erik Karlsson did something similar years ago.

“I try to do my own thing, but it’s always a very cool thing to hear,” the Sabres defenseman said of being compared to Karlsson, who’s enjoying a dynamic comeback ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Struggling Peyton Krebs returns from healthy scratch

BUFFALO – The Sabres recently stopped their forward rotation, so anyone who sits out as a healthy scratch these days has likely been ineffective, not caught in a numbers game.

Down the stretch as a rookie last season, center Peyton Krebs, 21, established himself as one of the Sabres’ top young forwards. But through 17 outings this year, he has struggled, mustering zero goals, three assists and just 10 shots on goal. He has ... Read the full article