WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
Jack Eichel sees similarities between the Sabres and Bills. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Ralph Krueger normally goes to bed long before “Sunday Night Football” ends. Still, the Sabres coach stayed up late to watch the Bills’ thrilling 17-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, which clinched just their second playoff berth in 20 seasons.
“I cut into my sleep,” Krueger joked today inside KeyBank Center.
Of course, Krueger, who said he has become as a big a Bills fan as anybody, was happy he could enjoy such ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has never played in the AHL. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On Sunday, a day off for the Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted.
After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the Rochester Americans for the first time, Botterill said the youngster quickly asked what he must to do return to the NHL.
“He is a mature guy, he is ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has mustered only two points in his last 21 appearances. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres sent center Casey Mittelstadt, who has been a healthy scratch three of the last four games, to the Rochester Americans today.
While Mittelstadt, 21, has never played in the AHL, the demotion wasn’t exactly surprising.
Mittelstadt has struggled in his second full NHL season, compiling only four goals, nine points and a minus-5 rating in 31 games while often looking lost defensively.
The former eighth overall pick has mustered just ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo has missed nine games. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Winger Kyle Okposo, out since suffering a concussion Nov. 16, accompanied the Sabres on their three-game road trip, which begins Thursday against the Calgary Flames.
Okposo, who started practicing Monday, has missed the last nine games. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said the veteran is day-to-day.
Meanwhile, with forward Evan Rodrigues ready to return from a five-game absence (lower-body), the Sabres sent center Jean-Sebastien Dea back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.... Read the full article
Curtis Lazar played six games during his recent recall. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The Sabres sent winger Curtis Lazar, a healthy scratch the last four games, back to the Rochester Americans this morning.
Lazar, 24, played six games during his latest NHL stint, scoring one goal.
The Sabres’ decision to start utilizing 11 forwards and seven defensemen essentially pushed Lazar out of the lineup.
With winger Kyle Okposo back practicing after suffering a concussion last month, Lazar was no longer needed.... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo suffered a concussion Nov. 16. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Right away, Kyle Okposo knew something was wrong. Having suffered at least three concussions earlier in his Sabres career, the winger understands the symptoms well.
“I just knew right away that the neck wasn’t good,” said Okposo, who suffered his fourth concussion Nov. 16 when he collided with Ottawa Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey leaving the bench.
Right now, Okposo feels good again. The affable veteran smiled and was upbeat Monday morning after skating ... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund has played seven NHL games. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the second period Wednesday, Sabres rookie Rasmus Asplund grabbed a loose puck in the right corner, spun off a defender in the circle and quickly cut to the net.
Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson hectored the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Asplund in the slot, but he fended him off before creating a prime scoring chance goalie David Rittich stymied.
Asplund’s seventh NHL game, a 3-2 overtime loss, was perhaps his best performance since the ... Read the full article
Jean-Sebastien Dea played in three organizations last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Sooner or later, it felt like Jean-Sebastien Dea would receive his first recall to the Sabres.
The Sabres, having lost seven forwards this month, sorely need help. Meanwhile, recalls and the Rochester Americans’ own run of injuries whittled away their depth up front.
By last week, the AHL affiliate only had two or three healthy forwards with NHL contracts.
On Monday, the Sabres summoned Dea, who said he will play tonight against ... Read the full article
Jean-Sebastien Dea has played 29 NHL games. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres recalled forward Jean-Sebastien Dea from the Rochester Americans this morning.
Having lost center Evan Rodrigues to an undisclosed injury in Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 road win against the Florida Panthers, the Sabres needed to summon a forward before tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Right now, the Sabres have four injured forwards. They dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen Sunday. Curtis Lazar, a healthy scratch against the Panthers, was their only ... Read the full article
Devante Stephens played seven games with Rochester. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres traded Devante Stephens to the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in exchange for Matthew Spencer, a swap of ECHL defensemen.
The Sabres have assigned Spencer, 22, to the Cincinnati Cyclones.
The Lightning drafted the 6-foot-2, 206-pound Spencer in the second round in 2015, 44th overall. He has split his three pro seasons between the AHL Syracuse Crunch and ECHL, compiling five goals and 25 points in 106 total games.
Spencer played two games ... Read the full article