WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Chad Johnson has played 21 times this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – On the ice, despite the chaos that often develops around his crease, Sabres goalie Chad Johnson usually showcases a cool demeanor.
When Johnson’s dialed in – and that’s been nearly all season – he can almost make hockey’s toughest position look easy. The veteran, 29, often reads plays and shots perfectly, making difficult saves look routine.
Johnson mostly tends goal calmly.
“I’ve always been a guy that sort of keeps things simple,” Johnson ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis hasn’t played since Nov. 23. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Some quick updates from HarborCenter, where the Sabres practiced today without ace defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who enjoyed a maintenance day.
– Winger Tyler Ennis, out the last 12 games with an upper-body injury, will return Saturday afternoon against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Sabres’ last game before Christmas.
Ennis, who hasn’t played since Nov. 23, wanted to get back before the Sabres’ five-day break.
“You never want to wait because you’re competitive ... Read the full article
Jean Dupuy already has 10 points with Rochester. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
ROCHESTER – The biggest early-season surprise on the farm hasn’t been Justin Bailey, Nick Baptiste or Evan Rodrigues – three talented AHL rookie forwards many believe will play for the Buffalo Sabres someday.
While the prospects have contributed to the Americans at times, another first-year pro has outplayed them all. Remember this name: Jean Dupuy.
Who? Just 23 games into his career, Dupuy, an undrafted center from the Ontario Hockey League’s Sault Ste. Marie ... Read the full article
Cal O’Reilly played with his brother during the preseason. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled forward Cal O’Reilly, the older brother of center Ryan O’Reilly, from the Rochester Americans this morning before leaving on a three-game road trip.
Cal O’Reilly, the Amerks’ captain, has three goals and a team-best 14 points in 21 games, including eight in his last seven appearances.
O’Reilly, 29, has played 113 NHL games with Nashville, Arizona and Pittsburgh, compiling 13 goals and 41 points. He hasn’t appeared in an NHL ... Read the full article
John Scott played only his seventh game Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The sight, of course, would be odd. Just imagine 6-foot-8 former Sabres tough guy John Scott, who has five goals in his eight-year career, competing against superstars like Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos in the new three-on-three NHL All-Star Game format.
If fans keep casting online ballots for Scott, that could happen Jan. 31 in Nashville.
Right now, Scott, a healthy scratch 19 times with the Arizona Coyotes this season, is the ... Read the full article
Chad Johnson posted strong numbers in November. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Arizona Coyotes, of course, hardly register on the radar around here. As one of the NHL’s perennial dregs, they usually rank among the league’s most irrelevant teams.
But that’s starting to change this season, as two talented rookie forwards – Max Domi and Anthony Duclair – have helped a team many pegged for a lottery pick race out to a 13-11-1 start.
“We don’t see Arizona all that often, but it’s hard ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart starred for Team Canada last year. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Eleven months ago, on the grand stages of Montreal and Toronto, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart showcased why he’s regarded as one of hockey’s top prospects, starring for Team Canada during its run to world junior championship gold.
“I had a blast, one of the best times of my life,” Reinhart said this afternoon, shortly after it was announced Buffalo would host the tournament again in 2018.
Two years ago in Sweden, defenseman Rasmus ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark has played only three NHL games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Three games, that’s it – just a blip in a marathon season. But in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately NHL, Linus Ullmark’s small body of work is enough to convince some the rookie should be the Sabres’ new starting goalie.
Following a so-so debut, Ullmark dazzled in his second straight start Sunday, stopping 29 shots in the Sabres’ 2-1 road win against the New York Islanders. On Friday, the prospect made 27 saves in a 3-1 ... Read the full article
Evander Kane (9) is helped off the ice Saturday by trainer Tim Macre and Jake McCabe. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The bad news, in some odd way, was still good for the struggling Sabres. A left MCL injury will only sideline winger Evander Kane four to six weeks, coach Dan Bylsma said.
At least the former 30-goal scorer will play again this season.
After New Jersey’s David Schlemko hit Kane hard into the corner boards late Saturday in the Sabres’ 4-3 loss, it appeared he might be finished as he writhed in pain ... Read the full article
Evander Kane (9) battles Toronto’s Matt Hunwick on Wednesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A left MCL injury will sideline Sabres winger Evander Kane four to six weeks, coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon.
So a 2-6 team with only 15 goals all season is now missing arguably its most natural goal scorer.
Bylsma said he didn’t know if the injury is a sprain. Kane doesn’t need surgery.
“It could’ve been a lot worse,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center. “I don’t know if I sighed ... Read the full article
