WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
Kyle Okposo suffered a concussion Saturday. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Having lost five forwards in the last five games, a stunning run of injuries, the reeling Sabres have two options for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild.
The Sabres can either dress seven defensemen and only 11 forwards, coach Ralph Krueger said, or they can recall a forward from the Rochester Americans.
They stayed remarkably healthy over the first month of the season, utilizing the same lineup most games. But the injuries have ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has enjoyed a hot start in Rochester. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Prospect Tage Thompson is back with the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres recalled Thompson, a winger who spent most of last season in the NHL, from the Rochester Americans this morning.
Having lost winger Kyle Okposo to an undisclosed injury in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, the Sabres needed to summon another forward.... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund joined Rochester last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Rasmus Asplund knows it will be difficult to keep his emotions in check today. Not only is the Sabres center set to make his NHL debut, it’s also Hockey Fights Cancer Night at KeyBank Center.
“Cancer is something that’s close to my heart,” Asplund said this morning after the Sabres prepared for the Ottawa Senators.
Both of Asplund’s grandparents on his father’s side passed away from cancer.
“It’s going to be hard,” said ... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund spent all of last season in Rochester. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – When the Sabres sent center Rasmus Asplund to the Rochester Americans following an impressive training camp, it felt like he would return to the NHL soon.
Asplund, 21, turned heads during the preseason, earning a long look from the Sabres. The Swedish prospect figured to be in line for his first recall.
Sure enough, with center Johan Larsson nursing an upper-body injury, the Sabres summoned Asplund this morning.
Larsson is day-to-day, according to ... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund was a second-round pick in 2016. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The reeling Sabres, losers of six straight games, recalled center Rasmus Asplund from the Rochester Americans this morning.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Asplund, 21, could make his NHL debut Saturday against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres, having gone 1-5-2 following their scorching 8-1-1 start, need any spark they can get. They’re 0-4-2 in their last six outings.
Asplund, a second-round pick in 2016, 33rd overall, is one of the Sabres’ top ... Read the full article
Curtis Lazar played in the Calgary organization last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The 70- or so mile drive from Rochester to KeyBank Center sure beats trying to get from Stockton, Calif., to Calgary. Just ask Sabres winger Curtis Lazar.
When the Flames would recall Lazar, 24, from the Heat, their AHL affiliate about 1,300 miles away, he would have to fly out of the San Francisco airport.
Stockton is about 83 miles from that airport.
Lazar enjoyed a much easier trip to Buffalo on ... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian hasn’t played since last season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – More than six months after undergoing hip surgery, defenseman Zach Bogosian will return to practice today, the Sabres announced this morning.
Bogosian, who’s week-to-week, will be joined by defenseman Marco Scandella, who has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury.
That doesn’t mean the Sabres are healthy.
They announced this morning a lower-body injury will sideline winger Vladimir Sobotka four to six weeks. Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov hit Sobotka ... Read the full article
Lawrence Pilut was a spare during the Sabres’ trip to Sweden. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres sent defenseman Lawrence Pilut back to the Rochester Americans today.
The Sabres recalled Pilut, 23, last week to serve as a spare defenseman during their two-game trip to Sweden.
He was one of six Swedes on Buffalo’s roster.
Pilut played 33 NHL games as a rookie in 2018-19. He has scored one goal and six points in eight AHL games this season.... Read the full article
Lawrence Pilut had spent the entire season in Rochester. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres recalled defenseman Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans tonight before they left for their two-game trip to Sweden.
Pilut, 23, is one of six Swedes on the roster. He will likely serve as a spare defenseman during the trip.
The Sabres had seven healthy defenders before Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the New York Islanders.
To make room for Pilut, the Sabres placed defenseman Marco Scandella (lower body) on injured reserve.... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has played one pro game. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans assigned Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the Buffalo Sabres’ top goalie prospect, to the Cincinnati Cyclones today.
Luukkonen, who hasn’t played since undergoing hip surgery in late April, will likely start one game for the Sabres’ ECHL affiliate this weekend.
The Cyclones play the Brampton Beast on the road Saturday and Sunday.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Luukkonen is expected to become the Amerks’ No. 1 goalie. Veteran Andrew Hammond and youngster Jonas Johansson have split ... Read the full article