Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo likely out tonight; Brandon Biro to make NHL debut

Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo missed this morning’s pregame skate in Montreal because of illness and likely won’t play tonight against the Canadiens, coach Don Granato said.

“I don’t expect him for tonight but he’s still a possibility,” Granato said on a Zoom call from the Bell Centre.

With Okposo probably out and winger Victor Olofsson (illness) also sidelined, Granato said he expects forward Brandon Biro to make his NHL debut tonight.

... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin’s return gives struggling Sabres boost: ‘Our top defenseman’

BUFFALO – In his fourth season, Rasmus Dahlin has emerged as the Sabres’ most valuable player and one of the NHL’s premier young defensemen.

At 21, Dahlin, who will likely return from upper-body injury tonight, is a budding star.

“He has clearly, definitively established himself as our top defenseman,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Tuesday’s practice inside KeyBank Center.

Dahlin’s absence in Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets was glaring. With the ... Read the full article

Penn State product Brandon Biro offers Sabres intriguing talent

BUFFALO – Whether it’s tonight against the Montreal Canadiens or later during the Sabres’ five-game road trip, center Brandon Biro will likely make his NHL debut soon.

Biro, 23, has been on a tear for the Rochester Americans, compiling nine goals and 31 points in his last 28 games. The Penn State product figured to earn a look from the Sabres sooner or later.

On Tuesday, with winger Victor Olofsson sidelined by a non-COVID illness, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin returns from injury; Victor Olofsson out Wednesday

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin performed so well during his rehab skate this morning he left the ice early and joined his teammates for practice.

Now, will Dahlin, who missed Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets with a lower-body injury, be able to play in Wednesday’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens?

“They’re worried about strength in the area of the injury and potential vulnerability due to any of lack of strength,” ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs displaying elite playmaking skills: ‘A special talent’

BUFFALO – In the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 6-3 win, Sabres winger Peyton Krebs grabbed the puck in the left circle and skated to the goal line before quickly finding linemate Victor Olofsson in the opposite circle.

Krebs caught the New York Islanders and perhaps even Olofsson, who was wide open, off guard. Olofsson converted the slick pass, putting the Sabres up 4-3.

“Saw him backdoor and just made a quick pass to him,” Krebs ... Read the full article

Casey Fitzgerald’s aggressive, agitating style earning notice from Sabres, others

BUFFALO – By the end of that night in Vegas, every member of the Golden Knights knew when Sabres rookie Casey Fitzgerald, the undersized defenseman playing just his seventh NHL game, was on the ice.

“And they didn’t like it,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Saturday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter. “It was the better players, that was the beauty of it. We can play him against better players and they’re looking over their ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Linus Weissbach showing ‘immense’ growth with Amerks

BUFFALO – In the third period of Rochester’s 5-2 loss last Friday, rookie winger Linus Weissbach hit defenseman Matt Kiersted hard into the end boards, freeing the puck.

A second later, winger JJ Peterka scored, moving the Americans within one goal of the Charlotte Checkers.

The assist wasn’t exactly pretty or the type of play the speedy Weissbach’s known for making. The Sabres prospect fell to the ice after hitting Kiersted, and it appeared he ... Read the full article

Why did Sabres assign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Amerks?

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato wants goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to develop a rhythm with the Rochester Americans.

Starting Friday, the Amerks play six games over an 11-day stretch. Luukkonen will play the bulk of the contests, giving him an opportunity to find a groove again.

Luukkonen, 22, hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury Jan. 11 with the Sabres. After he was cleared to play Wednesday, they sent him back to the AHL.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Craig Anderson could be coveted before trade deadline

BUFFALO – At 40, an advanced age where most goaltenders have long been retired, Craig Anderson could be coveted before the upcoming NHL trade deadline.

For now, Anderson is the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, an incredible accomplishment in his 19th season. During his limited action this season – an upper-body injury recently sidelined him 32 games – the veteran has been the Sabres’ backbone, giving the rebuilding team a calming, consistent presence in the crease.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt encouraged after returning to practice

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt’s injury forced him to leave his last outing Jan. 30, he refused to let the thought enter his mind.

But considering what Mittelstadt has endured over the past four months – two upper-body injuries, the second of which necessitated surgery – it felt like his season could be in jeopardy.

“I would not let that enter my mind until I heard it,” Mittelstadt said Wednesday after returning to ... Read the full article