Samuelsson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Henri Jokiharju displays offense; Buffalo makes roster move

BUFFALO – The Sabres mostly utilize defenseman Henri Jokiharju in a defensive role, meaning other than occasionally quarterbacking the second power-play unit, he rarely gets to display his offensive talent.

“Usually five-on-five through the regular 60 minutes of a game, he’s very responsible and focused so much on defense that you don’t get to see some of his offensive touch,” coach Don Granato told reporters Saturday in Minnesota after Jokiharju scored the overtime winner in ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson standing out following stint in Rochester

BUFFALO – When the Sabres sent defenseman Jacob Bryson to the minors for the first time in almost three years, he knew the assignment would be temporary.

Playing in the AHL could help Bryson, 26, find a groove after sitting out 29 of the first 32 games as a healthy scratch, and return to Buffalo ready to contribute.

“That was the plan,” he said prior to Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres defenseman Owen Power week to week with upper-body injury

BUFFALO – In recent weeks, Sabres defenseman Owen Power has shaken off a slow start and recaptured some of the form that helped him enjoy a dynamic rookie season.

“He’s just played with more confidence, a little bit more calm with the puck and little bit more assertiveness physically without it,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Tuesday morning after announcing Power will be sidelined week to week with an upper-body injury. “I think a combination ... Read the full article

Sabres defenseman Owen Power leaves practice with injury

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Owen Power departed this morning’s practice with an undisclosed injury and was undergoing imaging following the session, coach Don Granato said.

Granato did not have any other updates on Power, who has averaged 22 minutes, 28 seconds of ice time this season, the Sabres’ second-highest total.

Tuesday Update: Granato said Power is week to week.

Only Power and center Casey Mittelstadt have played all 51 of Buffalo’s games this season.... Read the full article

Sabres lose Mattias Samuelsson for the rest of the season; Jack Quinn’s injury emotional for his teammates

BUFFALO – Losing defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to a season-ending injury and winger Jack Quinn for six to eight weeks could extinguish the Sabres’ faint playoff hopes.

The Sabres, who practiced Sunday in KeyBank Center following their bye week and NHL All-Star break, must erase a 10-point deficit without two of their top talents.

But forget, for a moment, about their on-ice contributions. Suddenly losing two popular teammates could rattle the Sabres’ psyche.

Watching Quinn, 22, ... Read the full article

Sabres end home stand with loss to Lightning; Don Granato confused by late penalty on Zach Benson

BUFFALO – When their six-game home stand began, the Sabres had an opportunity to ignite a run and roar into playoff contention. Instead, they blew perhaps their best chance to make up ground against their Eastern Conference foes.

The Sabres finished their longest stint at KeyBank Center this season 3-3-0. Kind of meh.

Overall, having gone 5-3-0 in their last eight outings, they’ve showcased improvement, most notably defensively. Still, they must make up seven points ... Read the full article

Erik Johnson misses practice as other injured Sabres near returns

BUFFALO – Now, the Sabres have four players who are day to day with upper-body injuries.

Defenseman Erik Johnson, who missed Friday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter, has joined the list. Phillipp Kurashev hit Johnson, 35, awkwardly into the end boards in the third period in Thursday’s 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, earning a five-minute major for boarding. Johnson immediately departed the game.

Two of the Sabres with upper-body injures – defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and ... Read the full article

Devon Levi waiting for next chance; Sabres recall defenseman

BUFFALO – Rookie Devon Levi took a backseat to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen again Thursday, backing up the new No. 1 goalie during the Sabres’ 3-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Levi, 22, has watched four straight contests, his last outing coming Jan. 9. Other than the time he spent recovering from a lower-body injury in October, it’s his longest stretch between outings this season (counting two games he played in the minors).

After Levi returned from ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens injured; Mattias Samuelsson, Jeff Skinner progressing

BUFFALO – By Saturday, the Sabres could have all of their injured players back in the lineup.

Center Dylan Cozens, winger Jeff Skinner and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, all of whom are day to day with upper-body injuries, will miss tonight’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center.

The Sabres close their six-game home stand Saturday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

... Read the full article

Sabres await word on status of game against Blackhawks as snowstorm pummels Buffalo

As a snowstorm batters Buffalo and the surrounding areas, the Sabres are awaiting word whether they’ll play the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.

Coach Don Granato said every player made it to KeyBank Center this morning for the Sabres’ pregame skate. Instead of going home for the afternoon, players have rooms at a downtown hotel.

“So we’re sitting and waiting to see really what’s going to transpire,” Granato said on a Zoom call. “But we’re planning on ... Read the full article