Brendan Guhle was also recalled in January. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres want Brendan Guhle to utilize speed during recall

BUFFALO – For a chunk of the season, Sabres defensemen Brendan Guhle and Casey Nelson formed a strong AHL tandem, showcasing their speed and slick puck-moving skills together.

Then the Sabres recalled Guhle, 20, in early January for two games. A week later, the Sabres summoned Nelson, 25, and he quickly earned a regular spot.

So the two haven’t played together for about two months. Tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Guhle, who was brought ... Read the full article

Brendfan Guhle played two NHL games in January. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall Brendan Guhle, Kyle Criscuolo from Amerks

BUFFALO – Despite having six healthy defensemen and 12 forwards practice today, the Sabres recalled top defense prospect Brendan Guhle and center Kyle Criscuolo from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

The Amerks have a 3 p.m. home tilt against the Laval Rocket.

So why did the Sabres summon two players? Coach Phil Housley said earlier today they didn’t plan to recall a forward.... Read the full article

Danny O’Regan played on a line with two Sabres in college. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Amerks’ Danny O’Regan sees fit in Sabres organization

ROCHESTER – Early in Danny O’Regan’s junior season at Boston University, he earned a coveted spot playing beside an ultra-talented freshman center named Jack Eichel.

The two meshed well together, but around Christmas that rollicking 2014-15 campaign, an underrated senior began playing right wing with O’Regan and Eichel.... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo (21) celebrates his goal Sunday afternoon with Evan Rodrigues (71), Sam Reinhart (23) and Rasmus Ristolainen (55). ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

GM Jason Botterill issues challenge to Sabres after trade deadline

BUFFALO – While Jason Botterill mostly stayed quiet before the NHL trade deadline, the Sabres general manager knows he must eventually make major changes to his 30th-place team.

So while only one player, winger Evander Kane, left the team before Monday’s deadline, something big will likely transpire following what is arguably the worst season in franchise history.... Read the full article

Evander Kane has never played in a playoff game. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres trade Evander Kane: ‘We have to make changes’

BUFFALO – Throughout a miserable season, winger Evander Kane was often the Sabres’ best asset, scoring goals on a hapless team starved for offense. To general manager Jason Botterill, the nine-year veteran is a “premium” player.

So why did Botterill trade Kane to the San Jose Sharks shortly before Monday’s 3 p.m. deadline for two conditional draft picks – one could become a first-rounder, although that seems unlikely – and a marginal prospect?... Read the full article

Danny O’Regan played at Boston University. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres acquire former college star Danny O’Regan

BUFFALO – As a junior at Boston University in 2014-15, forward Danny O’Regan enjoyed a monster season, scoring 23 goals and 50 points in 41 games as the Terriers came within a whisker of a national title.

You might’ve heard of his linemates that year: Jack Eichel and Evan Rodrigues, two current Sabres. With O’Regan at left wing, they formed perhaps the NCAA’s most lethal trio.... Read the full article

The Sabres only received one legitimate offer for Evander Kane. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

GM Jason Botterill says Sabres had to trade Evander Kane

BUFFALO – Throughout a miserable season, winger Evander Kane was often the Sabres’ best asset, scoring goals on a hapless team starved for offense. To general manager Jason Botterill, the nine-year veteran is a “premium” player.

So why did Botterill trade Kane to the San Jose Sharks shortly before today’s 3 p.m. deadline for two conditional draft picks – one could become a first-rounder, although that seems unlikely – and a marginal prospect?... Read the full article

Evander Kane has scored 20 goals this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres trade Evander Kane to Sharks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon traded winger Evander Kane to the San Jose Sharks, according to multiple reports.

The Sharks sent the Sabres a conditional first-round pick, a conditional fourth-rounder and center prospect Danny O’Regan, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Stay tuned for more details. Sabres general manager Jason Botterill swung the deal about 45 minutes before the 3 p.m. trade deadline. O’Regan, 24, is a Boston University product with 22 games of ... Read the full article

Alexander Nylander recently had a two-goal, four-point game. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Amerks demanding more from Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander

BUFFALO – Chris Taylor prefaced his comments with a reminder Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander is still a teenager, one of the AHL’s youngest players, and coming off a lower-body injury that cost him all of training camp and six weeks of the season.

“We always forget how young he is and he went through a major injury this year, too,” the Rochester Americans coach said prior to Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the Syracuse Crunch inside ... Read the full article

Justin Bailey hasn’t scored in the AHL since opening night. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Justin Bailey struggling to score after ankle injury

BUFFALO – Chris Taylor knows winger Justin Bailey better than anyone in the Sabres organization.

Before the Americans coach left Rochester for a year, he was an assistant with the AHL club, helping the Williamsville native earn his first NHL recall as a rookie two seasons ago.

Taylor mentored Bailey, 22, watching him develop from a raw prospect into a youngster the Sabres have played 47 times over the last three seasons.... Read the full article