Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Why did Ralph Krueger hide Sabres’ lines from Lindy Ruff, Devils?

BUFFALO – In Sunday afternoon’s pregame warm-up, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger showcased the same lines he had utilized the previous day against the New Jersey Devils, with one exception.

Casey Mittelstadt, who was replacing Tage Thompson, skated at left wing beside top center Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson.

Then when Sunday’s contest started, Krueger changed three of four Sabres’ lines. Only one trio from warm-ups – center Cody Eakin, left wing ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jack Quinn must quarantine, will miss Amerks’ opener

Sabres prospect Jack Quinn will miss the Rochester Americans’ season opener Friday because he must quarantine following his arrival from Buffalo, coach Seth Appert said.

The Sabres assigned Quinn, 19, to the AHL club Monday after he spent two and a half weeks on their taxi squad.

The NHL added two Sabres – winger Taylor Hall and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen – to its COVID-19 protocol-related absences list Tuesday and postponed four of their games. ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt impressing Sabres, could earn more game action

BUFFALO – Having spent the entire game skating on the fourth line, Casey Mittelstadt hardly seemed like a forward Sabres coach Ralph Krueger would utilize in the waning seconds of a one-goal game.

Mittelstadt, 22, was only making his second appearance this season in Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The Sabres had just elevated him from the taxi squad earlier in the day.

Krueger had two former 40-goal scorers – Jeff ... Read the full article

Sabres send Jack Quinn to Amerks, recall two players to taxi squad

BUFFALO – The Sabres assigned rookie winger Jack Quinn to the Rochester Americans this morning and recalled forwards Jean-Sebastien Dea and C.J. Smith to the taxi squad.

Quinn, 19, spent the first few weeks of the season on the Sabres’ taxi squad. He recently recovered from an upper-body injury, coach Ralph Krueger said last week.

The Sabres drafted Quinn eighth overall last year. In a normal year, he would likely be playing with his junior ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Ristolainen wreaking havoc on power play

BUFFALO – As a defenseman, Rasmus Ristolainen understands how a big body in front of the net can be a weapon during a power play.

“If some other teams, they have some good net-front presence, I know how hard it is to play when there’s guys standing in front of the net screening (the) goalie all the time,” the Sabres veteran said after scoring a power-play goal in Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss to the New ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Casey Mittelstadt from taxi squad; Sam Reinhart out again

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled Casey Mittelstadt this morning from the taxi squad, so the forward will play in this afternoon’s game against the New Jersey Devils, right?

Well, while Mittelstadt is back on the roster, coach Ralph Krueger wouldn’t reveal his lineup, including today’s starting goalie. He said 13 forwards and seven defensemen will skate in the pregame warm-up inside KeyBank Center.

Update: Mittelstadt warmed up at left wing beside top center Jack Eichel ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Jack Quinn could be assigned to Amerks soon

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Jack Quinn, who’s on the taxi squad, recently recovered from an upper-body injury and could be assigned to the Rochester Americans soon.

“He was on IR and we were working an upper-body injury there, not a very serious one, very minor,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said on a Zoom call following this afternoon’s practice at KeyBank Center. “So he hasn’t been a part of the equation here. He’s been in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart questionable for Saturday’s game

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Sam Reinhart missed today’s practice with an upper-body injury and is questionable for Saturday afternoon’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

“We’ll make that call tomorrow morning,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said on a Zoom call following this afternoon’s practice at KeyBank Center.

Krueger said Reinhart, who finished Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers, is day to day. Reinhart recorded a goal and two points Thursday.

Tage Thompson... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Matt Irwin ready for opportunity on blue line

BUFFALO – Over the last few years, Sabres newcomer Matt Irwin has morphed from a regular into his team’s seventh defenseman.

After playing a career-high 70 times in 2016-17, Irwin cracked the 50-game mark just once in the next three years. Last season, which he spent with the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks, he played a career-low 36 contests.

But Irwin, 33, has learned to embrace the role of an extra defender and the challenges ... Read the full article

Sabres make goalie moves, also assign Rasmus Asplund to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres today assigned goalie Jonas Johansson from the active roster to the taxi squad, a sign Carter Hutton could be ready for Tuesday’s home game against the New York Rangers.

Hutton left last Tuesday’s 3-0 loss in Philadelphia after Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov hit him in the head. Johansson replaced him for the final period.

Goalie Linus Ullmark has started the last two games.... Read the full article