WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Ethan Prow has spent most of his career in the AHL. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Make that four. In addition to forwards Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch, it appears another player, defenseman Ethan Prow, will be making his Sabres debut tonight.
Like Peterka, Prow, 29, has never played in the NHL. Ironically, Peterka and Prow were teammates last season with Red Bull Munich, a Deutsche Eishockey Liga team.
The Sabres this morning recalled Prow to the taxi squad and Casey Fitzgerald to the active roster because ... Read the full article
JJ Peterka is one of Buffalo’s top prospects. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ recent history, games as significant as tonight’s can be counted on one hand. How often have three highly regarded young players – in this case, forwards Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch – all made their debuts together?
Their presence illustrates that after a decade of futility, maybe – just maybe – a franchise known for dysfunction is starting to get things rights.
In less than a year, the ... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol Sunday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato and the five players in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol will likely be unavailable for Wednesday’s home game against the New Jersey Devils, assistant coach Matt Ellis said.
“I believe our list is our list and we will not have anyone available from that tomorrow,” Ellis, who’s subbing for Granato, said following this morning’s practice inside KeyBank Center.
In addition to Granato, forwards Dylan Cozens, Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza, Mark ... Read the full article
JJ Peterka learned he was recalled in the grocery store. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres prospect JJ Peterka was grocery shopping with Linus Weissbach on Monday in Rochester when his teammate’s phone rang.
Peterka’s phone wasn’t working, so to relay some special news, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert called Weissbach, one of the German’s roommates.
“That was kind of weird but then I got the phone and Appert told me I got called up, so it was amazing,” said a smiling Peterka, who was officially recalled this ... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs has played 16 games with Rochester. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans.
BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning added reinforcements for their depleted lineup, recalling forward prospects Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Arttu Ruotsalainen from the Rochester Americans.
The Sabres, who have five forwards in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, practiced with just 10 forwards Monday.
Krebs, 20, played 13 games for the Vegas Golden Knights over the past two seasons. Peterka, 19, has never played in the NHL. Ruotsalainen, 24, started the season with the Sabres.
Matt Ellis is in his first full season as an assistant coach. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Following the Sabres’ first practice in eight days, winger Kyle Okposo acknowledged that, yes, at times he recently wondered if they would ever skate together again.
On Sunday, Okposo arrived at the KeyBank Center excited the NHL’s Christmas/COVID-19 break had ended. But after coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski tested positive for the virus, the Sabres canceled their scheduled afternoon practice.
“I was ready to go yesterday,” Okposo said ... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald made his NHL debut for Buffalo against Pittsburgh, the team he grew up cheering for. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
For 22 anxious seconds Friday, Kerry Fitzgerald watched her son, Casey, a Buffalo Sabres defenseman, trade punches with Sam Lafferty.
Throughout the day, Kerry acknowledged she was a “nervous wreck” waiting for Casey, 24, to make his NHL debut at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. But after the puck dropped against the Penguins, she said it felt like watching any hockey game.
Then about five minutes into the second period, Casey took umbrage with ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner on Tuesday tested positive for COVID-19. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
After having three games postponed and one player enter the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, the Sabres wanted to practice one final time before beginning a four-day break.
“Really get the guys going before we lead into the break,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday.
Adams said doctors approved the plan. If the Sabres didn’t have any additional positive cases, they would skate Tuesday morning at LECOM Harborcenter.
But on Tuesday, two ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgenons is one of three Sabres in COVID-19 protocol. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres this morning added wingers Zemgus Girgensons and Jeff Skinner to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
They now have three players – winger Vinnie Hinostroza was added Monday – in protocol.
The Sabres canceled today’s practice and aren’t scheduled to gather again until Sunday afternoon, when the COVID pause the NHL announced late Monday ends. The pause takes effect Wednesday.... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald played one game for Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu. Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon sent defenseman Casey Fitzgerald back to the Rochester Americans.
The Sabres don’t have a game scheduled until next Monday, so Fitzgerald, 24, is available to the Amerks for Wednesday’s home game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.... Read the full article