Samuelsson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres hope brief NHL experience will help prospect Matt Savoie in junior

BUFFALO – In the heat of a close game, with two precious points at stake, Sabres coach Don Granato did not feel comfortable putting prospect Matt Savoie on the ice.

So in his NHL debut, Friday’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild, Savoie, 19, skated just 3 minutes, 55 seconds over five shifts. He did not play in the third period.

On Saturday, the Sabres sent Savoie, who missed all of training camp, back to ... Read the full article

Sabres display skill, not enough work, in loss; Peyton Krebs scratched

PITTSBURGH – On the surface, pumping 35 shots on goal looks good, like the Buffalo Sabres created enough offense to win. Perhaps they just ran into a hot goalie.

While Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry played well in Saturday’s 4-0 win, he hardly stood on his head. The Sabres simply made it too easy for him in front of the 18,429 fans in PPG Paints Arena.

“We used our skill to create stuff but we didn’t ... Read the full article

Sabres send prospect Matt Savoie back to junior team

PITTSBURGH – With a full roster a week or two ago, coach Don Granato said the Buffalo Sabres figured only an injury would create a spot for forward prospect Matt Savoie.

When forward Brandon Biro went on injured reserve Monday, the Sabres had a place for Savoie, who had just completed his 14-day conditioning loan in the minors.

Savoie, 19, made his NHL debut in Friday’s 3-2 home win over the Minnesota Wild, skating just ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Injured Alex Tuch misses game; Buffalo could make roster move

BUFFALO – As the Sabres convened for their optional morning skate, winger Alex Tuch emerged from the tunnel and joined his teammates on the ice.

But before the session started, Tuch, who’s battling an upper-body injury, left the ice. He missed Friday’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild at KeyBank Center.

“He’s dealing with some soreness that we’re hoping resolves sooner than later,” Sabres coach Don Granato said prior to the game. “It’s gotten better.”... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch still battling injury; Matt Savoie to make NHL debut

BUFFALO – As the Sabres convened for their optional morning skate, winger Alex Tuch emerged from the tunnel and joined his teammates on the ice.

But before the session started, Tuch, who’s battling an upper-body injury, left the ice. Coach Don Granato said he’s questionable for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild in KeyBank Center.

“He’s dealing with some soreness that we’re hoping resolves sooner than later,” Granato said this morning. “It’s gotten better.”

Granato ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch injured; Matt Savoie could make NHL debut this weekend

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Matt Savoie subbed for injured winger Alex Tuch during Thursday’s practice, skating alongside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner.

So, could Savoie, 19, make his NHL debut tonight against the Minnesota Wild at KeyBank Center?

Coach Don Granato said the Sabres are “leaning toward using” the youngster this weekend. They also play a road game Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.... Read the full article

Rookie Ryan Johnson impresses Sabres, earns big minutes with Rasmus Dahlin

BUFFALO – Ryan Johnson needed barely eight minutes of ice time to convince the Sabres he deserved a bigger role. So, fresh off his impressive NHL debut, they awarded the defenseman duty alongside Rasmus Dahlin.

In limited action Saturday in Toronto, Johnson, 22, had quickly showcased maturity and poise that belied his neophyte status. His ability to acclimate in a hostile environment against a strong Maple Leafs team impressed the Sabres.

Still, despite giving ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens practices after ill-advised fight, says he learned lesson

BUFFALO – Sabres center Dylan Cozens said he has learned his lesson.

In the future, don’t expect to see him picking fights with heavyweights like he did as frustration overwhelmed him late in Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

“It probably won’t happen like that again,” Cozens said Wednesday after returning to practice in KeyBank Center wearing a full face shield.

Cozens, 22, also sported protection over his nose, which likely means it’s broken, ... Read the full article

After surprise recall, Sabres rookie Ryan Johnson stands out in win in Toronto

TORONTO – Ryan Johnson’s Saturday began in Rochester, where he was preparing to hop on a bus and play with the Americans in Syracuse. It ended in Scotiabank Arena, where the rookie celebrated a win with the Buffalo Sabres and his first NHL point.

Having lost Mattias Samuelsson to a lower-body injury Friday, the Sabres needed another defenseman, and they chose Johnson, 22, over more experienced options.

Johnson said when Rochester’s coaches told him ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch breaks loose late in Sabres’ win over Maple Leafs; Dylan Cozens misses game with injury

TORONTO – No, it wasn’t quite a piano off Alex Tuch’s back. The Sabres winger had scored this season before his two third-period goals Saturday secured a 6-4 win over the Maple Leafs. He said he believes he had been skating well.

Piano’s too heavy for the expression.

“Monkey more than piano,” said Tuch, bringing the weight he was carrying early this season down about 700 pounds.

Fresh off a breakout 36-goal campaign, Tuch hadn’t ... Read the full article