Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Kyle Okposo accompanies Sabres on road trip

BUFFALO – Winger Kyle Okposo, out since suffering a concussion Nov. 16, accompanied the Sabres on their three-game road trip, which begins Thursday against the Calgary Flames.

Okposo, who started practicing Monday, has missed the last nine games. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said the veteran is day-to-day.

Meanwhile, with forward Evan Rodrigues ready to return from a five-game absence (lower-body), the Sabres sent center Jean-Sebastien Dea back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.... Read the full article

Sabres send Curtis Lazar to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent winger Curtis Lazar, a healthy scratch the last four games, back to the Rochester Americans this morning.

Lazar, 24, played six games during his latest NHL stint, scoring one goal.

The Sabres’ decision to start utilizing 11 forwards and seven defensemen essentially pushed Lazar out of the lineup.

With winger Kyle Okposo back practicing after suffering a concussion last month, Lazar was no longer needed.... Read the full article

Retirement crossed Kyle Okposo’s mind following latest concussion with Sabres

BUFFALO – Right away, Kyle Okposo knew something was wrong. Having suffered at least three concussions earlier in his Sabres career, the winger understands the symptoms well.

“I just knew right away that the neck wasn’t good,” said Okposo, who suffered his fourth concussion Nov. 16 when he collided with Ottawa Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey leaving the bench.

Right now, Okposo feels good again. The affable veteran smiled and was upbeat Monday morning after skating ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Rasmus Asplund quickly acclimating to NHL

BUFFALO – In the second period Wednesday, Sabres rookie Rasmus Asplund grabbed a loose puck in the right corner, spun off a defender in the circle and quickly cut to the net.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson hectored the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Asplund in the slot, but he fended him off before creating a prime scoring chance goalie David Rittich stymied.

Asplund’s seventh NHL game, a 3-2 overtime loss, was perhaps his best performance since the ... Read the full article

Sabres offer Jean-Sebastien Dea much-needed stability

BUFFALO – Sooner or later, it felt like Jean-Sebastien Dea would receive his first recall to the Sabres.

The Sabres, having lost seven forwards this month, sorely need help. Meanwhile, recalls and the Rochester Americans’ own run of injuries whittled away their depth up front.

By last week, the AHL affiliate only had two or three healthy forwards with NHL contracts.

On Monday, the Sabres summoned Dea, who said he will play tonight against ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Jean-Sebastien Dea from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres recalled forward Jean-Sebastien Dea from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Having lost center Evan Rodrigues to an undisclosed injury in Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 road win against the Florida Panthers, the Sabres needed to summon a forward before tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Right now, the Sabres have four injured forwards. They dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen Sunday. Curtis Lazar, a healthy scratch against the Panthers, was their only ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Devante Stephens to Lightning for Matthew Spencer

The Buffalo Sabres traded Devante Stephens to the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in exchange for Matthew Spencer, a swap of ECHL defensemen.

The Sabres have assigned Spencer, 22, to the Cincinnati Cyclones.

The Lightning drafted the 6-foot-2, 206-pound Spencer in the second round in 2015, 44th overall. He has split his three pro seasons between the AHL Syracuse Crunch and ECHL, compiling five goals and 25 points in 106 total games.

Spencer played two games ... Read the full article

John Gilmour clears waivers, assigned by Sabres to Amerks

Defenseman John Gilmour has cleared waivers and been assigned to the Rochester Americans, the Buffalo Sabres announced this afternoon.

Gilmour, 26, compiled zero points in four games with the Sabres. Following an impressive training camp, they scratched him 18 times, including the first 11 contests.

The Montreal native made his last appearance as a winger in Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.... Read the full article

Interim Sabres assistant Chris Taylor to resume role as Amerks coach

The Buffalo Sabres announced this morning interim assistant coach Chris Taylor will be resuming his regular role as the Rochester Americans’ head coach next week.

Taylor, 47, has been filling in for assistant Don Granato, who returned to the Sabres on Wednesday after taking a leave of absence. Granato, 52, was hospitalized with severe pneumonia before the season.

The Amerks have started the season 11-3-1-2 under interim coach Gord Dineen, one of Taylor’s assistants.... Read the full article

Sabres waive John Gilmour; Zach Bogosian likely set to return

The Buffalo Sabres waived defenseman John Gilmour today, meaning veteran Zach Bogosian is likely ready to play after missing the first 22 games this season.

Gilmour, 26, compiled zero points in four games. Following an impressive training camp, the Sabres scratched him 18 times, including the first 11 contests.

The Montreal native made his last appearance as a winger in Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.... Read the full article