Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Sabres notes: Ralph Krueger explains why Dylan Cozens was scratched

Before the season, the Buffalo Sabres developed a plan to rest some of their younger players. In occasionally giving them a breather, they want to prevent the physical and mental aspects of the NHL from overwhelming them. They also want to ensure members of their taxi squad have opportunities to play.

So on Sunday afternoon, two days after winger Dylan Cozens scored his first NHL goal, the Sabres loaned the rookie to the taxi ... Read the full article

Sabres assign rookie Dylan Cozens to taxi squad, recall Casey Mittelstadt

Two days after scoring his first NHL goal, the Buffalo Sabres today sent winger Dylan Cozens to the taxi squad and recalled forward Casey Mittelstadt from the practice group.

Mittelstadt, 22, will likely make his season debut in this afternoon’s road game against the Washington Capitals. The American hasn’t played an NHL game since Dec. 10, 2019.

It’s unclear why the Sabres assigned Cozens, 19, to the taxi squad. The rookie has enjoyed regular ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark to start against Capitals; Kyle Okposo likely out

Buffalo Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark, who missed two games earlier this week following the death of his father, will start tonight’s road game against the Washington Capitals, coach Ralph Krueger said.

“We really want him to get a win here, to play well not thinking about what’s happened,” Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said on a Zoom call this afternoon. “We just got to make him feel comfortable everywhere.”

Ullmark, 27, faced the Capitals ... Read the full article

Sabres’ goaltending quickly becomes concern; Jonas Johansson ready to sub

BUFFALO – After allowing five goals on opening night, Sabres goalie Carter Hutton settled down, letting in just two over the next 100 minutes.

Fresh off a 10-month break, Hutton looked sharp and appeared poised to keep earning playing time. But Hutton left Tuesday’s 3-0 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers early after getting hit in the head.

Hutton, 35, is day to day, coach Ralph Krueger said, and did not accompany the Sabres to ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Rasmus Asplund from taxi squad

The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Rasmus Asplund from the taxi squad, the team announced this afternoon.

It’s unclear why Asplund, 23, is needed. The Sabres close a two-game road series against the Philadelphia Flyers tonight. After beating the Flyers 6-1 on Monday, they did not skate as a full team this morning.

Update: Asplund will replace winger Tage Thompson.

Asplund played 14 games earlier this season on loan with Västerås IK, a ... Read the full article

Curtis Lazar, fourth line help Sabres annihilate Flyers, earn first win

Late in the first period Monday, Buffalo Sabres center Curtis Lazar grabbed the puck at the blue line, skated into the left circle and backhanded a shot underneath the crossbar.

Then after the Sabres grabbed a commanding 3-0 lead over the Philadelphia Flyers, Lazar sealed the Sabres’ first win in the second period, connecting on a nifty pass from linemate Riley Sheahan in front of the net.

When the Sabres, NHL lightweights for nearly a ... Read the full article

Amerks sign Buffalo native Dylan Blujus to AHL contract

The Rochester Americans have signed Buffalo native Dylan Blujus to a one-year AHL contract, the team announced today.

Blujus, a defenseman, has spent most of the past six seasons in the AHL, compiling 20 goals and 82 points 274 games. He played the last three seasons for the Utica Comets.

The Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Blujus, 26, in the second round in 2012, 40th overall. After playing playing junior with the Ontario Hockey League’s North ... Read the full article