Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Goalie prospect Linus Ullmark excited to join Sabres

BUFFALO – If Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark had suffered any setbacks in his rehab following double-hip surgery in April, the worst-case scenario would’ve been a return to the ice in January.

But the Swede, 22, recovered quickly enough to join full practices a month ago and earn three starts with the Rochester Americans this month.

Ullmark dazzled in the AHL, making 38 saves in his debut and 43 on Wednesday. Incredibly, just three games into ... Read the full article

Jake McCabe, Mark Pysyk forming strong defense pair for Sabres

BUFFALO – Their competitions are a bit one-sided. Any game Sabres defense partners Jake McCabe and Mark Pysyk play against each other, Pysyk inevitably loses.

“Yeah, I always beat him,” McCabe said proudly Thursday. “Any game.”

There’s the Rory McIlroy golf video game for Xbox.

“He’s unbelievable at it,” Pysyk said. “He must not have any friends in the summer.”

Then there was the little one-timer contest they had following practice Thursday.

“That’s why he’s ... Read the full article

Sabres rest up for weekend

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from HarborCenter, where the Sabres held about six players out of practice today, including rookie center Jack Eichel, who played 19 minutes, 42 seconds in his sixth NHL game Wednesday, a 2-1 shootout win against Toronto.

– “The number of minutes that we played and playing three in four, yes, it was coach’s decision to keep them off the ice,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said.

The Sabres host Montreal on ... Read the full article

Former Sabre Brad Boyes happy with Leafs after tough summer

BUFFALO – At times throughout his uncertain summer, former Sabres forward Brad Boyes said he wondered, “Why is this happening?”

For the second time in three years, Boyes, a former 43-goal scorer, couldn’t find work.

In 2013, after a strong season with the New York Islanders, Boyes, 33, had to earn a spot in Florida on a tryout. He parlayed that into a two-year extension and figured after scoring 35 goals over two seasons, he ... Read the full article

Dan Bylsma expects ‘electric’ atmosphere for Sabres-Leafs tilt

BUFFALO – Dan Bylsma said he has heard some, shall we say, interesting stories about being inside the rowdy First Niagara Center for a game between the Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I’m nervous for some of the fans, from what I hear,” Bylsma said this morning prior to his first regular-season game against the Leafs as Sabres coach.

Tilts between the fierce rivals rarely disappoint, especially here, where blue-collar Toronto fans who can’t attend ... Read the full article

Rasmus Ristolainen developing into Sabres’ top defenseman

BUFFALO – Just a week ago, it appeared the Sabres would be forced to utilize a blue line by committee early on. Without a proven No. 1 defenseman to gobble up minutes, coach Dan Bylsma had to spread the ice time out evenly, right?

Well, just three games into the season, Rasmus Ristolainen, 20, has quickly emerged as the club’s ace defenseman.

“(He’s) playing in all situations for us, playing against other teams’ best ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Brian Gionta questionable for Thursday; Zach Bogosian practices

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from HarborCenter, where the Sabres practiced about an hour before catching a flight for their two-game Florida road trip:

– Captain Brian Gionta, out the first three games with a lower-body injury, skated this morning beside center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane. He’s questionable for Thursday’s tilt against the Florida Panthers.

Gionta practiced Sunday but sat out the Sabres’ 4-2 win Monday afternoon.

“It’s one of those things, if you’re ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly responds to move to left wing

BUFFALO – Three games into the season, Ryan O’Reilly, the shiny acquisition the Sabres recently awarded a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension and touted as their No. 1 center, has already been shifted to the left wing.

In an attempt to ignite his struggling top line Monday afternoon, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma moved Zemgus Girgensons to center between O’Reilly and Tyler Ennis for the Sabres’ 4-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets inside the ... Read the full article

Jake McCabe to make season debut for Sabres

BUFFALO – Seven defensemen will take the pregame warm-up this afternoon for the Sabres, coach Dan Bylsma said. Which one will sit against the Columbus Blue Jackets? He wouldn’t say.

Bylsma, however, said Jake McCabe will make his season debut. The Sabres summoned the defenseman, who turns 22 years old today, from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Update: Carlo Colaiacovo, a minus-3 this season, will sit. So will Matt Donovoan, who skated in the ... Read the full article

Sabres have goaltending options with Robin Lehner out 6-10 weeks

BUFFALO – The news on Robin Lehner, as expected, was bad. A high ankle sprain will sideline the starting goalie six to 10 weeks, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Sunday.

“It’s not a complete surprise to get the results and have that be the timeframe,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center.

So Lehner, who has been wheeling around the rink on a cart with his No. 40 and a Sabres logo, could possibly ... Read the full article