WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
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
John Gilmour was an AHL All-Star last season. ©2019, China Wong, AHL
Defenseman John Gilmour has cleared waivers and been assigned to the Rochester Americans, the Buffalo Sabres announced this afternoon.
Gilmour, 26, compiled zero points in four games with the Sabres. Following an impressive training camp, they scratched him 18 times, including the first 11 contests.
The Montreal native made his last appearance as a winger in Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.... Read the full article
Chris Taylor joined the Sabres in October. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres announced this morning interim assistant coach Chris Taylor will be resuming his regular role as the Rochester Americans’ head coach next week.
Taylor, 47, has been filling in for assistant Don Granato, who returned to the Sabres on Wednesday after taking a leave of absence. Granato, 52, was hospitalized with severe pneumonia before the season.
The Amerks have started the season 11-3-1-2 under interim coach Gord Dineen, one of Taylor’s assistants.... Read the full article
John Gilmour mostly served as the Sabres’ seventh defenseman. ©2019, Hickling Images
The Buffalo Sabres waived defenseman John Gilmour today, meaning veteran Zach Bogosian is likely ready to play after missing the first 22 games this season.
Gilmour, 26, compiled zero points in four games. Following an impressive training camp, the Sabres scratched him 18 times, including the first 11 contests.
The Montreal native made his last appearance as a winger in Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.... Read the full article
Jimmy Vesey has mustered zero goals and two assists this season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – When the Sabres acquired Jimmy Vesey in the summer, it seemed like he could earn an opportunity to play with top center Jack Eichel.
Of course, no one thought that chance would materialize after scoring zero goals in his first 18 outings. But right now, Vesey is the reeling Sabres’ No. 1 left winger.
“Getting put up there kind of gives you a shot in the arm and a little bit of a ... Read the full article
Don Granato was hospitalized before the season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Finally, some good news for the struggling Sabres.
Assistant coach Don Granato, who took a leave of absence Oct. 1 after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia, returned to the Sabres today.
Granato, 52, was on the ice for practice inside KeyBank Center and accompanied the Sabres on their three-game road trip, which begins Thursday in Boston.
“That was a real-life story,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said. “It’s amazing that was Sept. 28 when ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin (26) battles Minnesota’s Zach Parise on Tuesday with teammate Brandon Montour nearby. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – A week before Thanksgiving, the same team that started the season 8-1-1 has already fallen apart. Right now, having lost eight of their last nine games, the Sabres are reeling.
The Sabres can deny it all they want, but it feels eerily similar to last season, when they won 10 straight games in November before imploding and missing the playoffs.
“Listen, we’re not talking about last year,” captain Jack Eichel said following the ... Read the full article