Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres sign tough guy Dalton Smith to one-year, two-way contract

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Dalton Smith to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000, the team announced this morning.

Smith, 27, has been playing on an AHL deal with the Rochester Americans.

Update: Smith is on the ice with Sabres for this afternoon’s practice. The Sabres host the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team that has pushed them around this season, Tuesday.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Smith possesses an agitating style and regularly fights. In seven ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jake McCabe’s advice to Mattias Samuelsson: ‘Be yourself’

BUFFALO – Seven years ago, Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe had no idea he would be named captain of Team USA’s entry at the World Junior Championship.

The team, after all, had some returning players. McCabe, then 19, was participating in his first tournament.

“It was one I was surprised about because I was a first-year player,” McCabe said prior to Friday’s 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. “But I took it with ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Curtis Lazar from Amerks again, reason unclear

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled forward Curtis Lazar from the Rochester Americans this afternoon for fourth time this season.

Lazar’s arrival could mean center Johan Larsson, out the last two games with an upper-body bruise, isn’t ready to play tonight against the Boston Bruins. Larsson skated this morning inside KeyBank Center.

It could also mean the Sabres want an extra forward. Lazar gives them 13 on the roster.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marco Scandella out, lineup for Bruins to be announced later

BUFFALO – Fresh off a three-day Christmas break, the Sabres will change their lineup tonight against the Boston Bruins.

Illness will sideline defenseman Marco Scandella, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

Something has been spreading through the locker room. Krueger said Scandella called Thursday night and he he was sick.

“Hopefully he’s the last one,” Krueger said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “It kind was kind of going through. There were six, seven guys that felt ... Read the full article

Sabres send Curtis Lazar to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent forward Curtis Lazar back to the Rochester Americans following Monday’s 3-1 road loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Lazar, 24, played in two games during his recall, his third this season.

The Sabres began their three-day Christmas break today. They don’t play again until they host the Boston Bruins on Friday.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Bogosian feels good in return after healthy scratches

BUFFALO – For Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, sitting out four straight games, the first healthy scratches of his 12-year NHL career, wasn’t easy.

“Anytime you don’t get a chance to be in there to be a part of the team and do what you want to do and do what you love, I mean, it’s tough,” Bogosian said after skating just over 18 minutes in his return in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win over the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Johansson says he hasn’t felt like himself all season

BUFFALO – Even during the opening weeks of the season, as Marcus Johansson scored goals and solidified himself as the Sabres’ No. 2 center, his play irked him.

“I didn’t feel like myself with the puck and stuff like that,” said Johansson, who scored four goals and seven points in the first nine games. “I mean, sometimes you still get points and the team wins. You kind of don’t think about it as much.”

These ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel practices, offers few details about upper-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel said he has been dealing with the upper-body injury that sidelined him for Thursday’s ugly 6-1 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

“It’s not something that came out of nowhere,” Eichel said after practicing this afternoon inside KeyBank Center.

Eichel, who’s day-to-day, according to coach Ralph Krueger, has dealt with the injury well. The slick center carried a 17-game point streak into Thursday’s game, the second-longest in franchise history.... Read the full article

After losing three centers, Sabres recall Curtis Lazar from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres, who lost three centers in about a three-hour span Thursday night, recalled forward Curtis Lazar from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Lazar, 24, has recorded one goal in six NHL games this season. This is third time the Sabres have summoned him.

The Sabres ended Thursday’s ugly 6-1 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers without captain and leading scorer Jack Eichel, Johan Larsson and Evan Rodrigues.... Read the full article

Sabres believe Casey Mittelstadt has right attitude to thrive with Amerks

TORONTO – On Sunday, a day off for the Buffalo Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted to the Rochester Americans.

After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the minors – “It’s always an emotional conversation,” Botterill said Monday – he asked what he must to do return to the NHL.

“He ... Read the full article