Category: Rochester Americans

Kyle Criscuolo (51) skates away from Toronto’s Travis Dermott on Monday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Kyle Criscuolo out four to six weeks with upper-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres center Kyle Criscuolo will miss four to six weeks after suffering an upper-body injury in Monday’s 5-3 win against Toronto, the team announced today.

The injury, of course, is a blow to the entire organization. Criscuolo, who was recalled Sunday, is one of the Rochester Americans’ leading scorers with 15 goals and 34 points in 50 games. The Harvard product certainly would’ve been returned to the Amerks for the AHL playoffs ... Read the full article

Brendan Guhle (45) battles Toronto’s Matt Martin in front of goalie Chad Johnson on Monday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Brendan Guhle, Casey Nelson reunited as defense pair

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, they summoned Nelson, 25, and he quickly earned a regular spot.

So the two hadn’t played together for about two months until Sabres coach Phil Housley reunited them for Monday’s 5-3 win ... Read the full article

Kyle Criscuolo has played eight NHL games. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Kyle Criscuolo ready for second NHL recall

BUFFALO – Kyle Criscuolo was about to leave for the rink Sunday morning when Rochester Americans coach Chris Taylor phoned him.

“He was giving me a little joke,” Criscuolo said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “He said, ‘You’re not playing tonight.’ I said, ‘OK.’ He said, ‘You’re suspended. No, I’m kidding, you’re going up.’”

With a dearth of centers, the Sabres summoned Criscuolo, 25, for the second time this season. He will play tonight against ... Read the full article

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