Samuelsson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Defense injuries offer Kale Clague early opportunity with Sabres

BUFFALO – Having shuttled between the NHL and minors for four seasons, Sabres newcomer Kale Clague understand his role as a depth defenseman.

Despite enjoying a strong training camp, Clague, 24, started the season with the Rochester Americans as the eighth or ninth defenseman in the organization.

Given the rugged nature of the position, it seemed likely the Sabres would need Clague at some point, and sure enough, the Sabres recalled him on Sunday after ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Owen Power acclimating to NHL, making special plays

BUFFALO – As the seconds ticked down and the crowd grew restless, Sabres rookie Owen Power stayed calm, displaying poise that belies his age.

Power, 19, said he initially wanted to shoot when winger Victor Olofsson passed him the puck above the left circle. But he had a little space, and when he saw a seam open up, he adroitly fed Rasmus Dahlin, his defense partner, in the right circle.

“So many guys feel ... Read the full article

D injuries could force Sabres to make trade; Peyton Krebs returns to lineup

BUFFALO – Just two weeks into the season, having lost Mattias Samuelsson, Henri Jokiharju and two more defensemen in the minors to injuries, the Sabres are considering adding depth to their blue line, Kevyn Adams said.

The general manager said prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center that Samuelsson, who suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday’s 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, will be sidelined “a few weeks.”

“But much ... Read the full article

After losing Mattias Samuelsson, Henri Jokiharju, Sabres could add another D

The general manager said this morning Samuelsson, who suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday’s 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, will be sidelined “a few weeks.”

“But much better than maybe originally we thought,” he said. “So a few ... Read the full article

After stint with Sabres, goalie Malcolm Subban embracing time in Rochester

If Americans goalie Malcolm Subban keeps progressing, he could be cleared to play within two weeks, coach Seth Appert said, ending a frustrating 10-month stretch.

After suffering a season-ending wrist injury with the Sabres on Jan. 11, Subban enjoyed a productive summer and strong training camp. When Buffalo assigned him to Rochester, he expected to begin the season as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s backup.

Instead, Subban, 28, has been watching games from a suite at Blue ... Read the full article

Sabres recall defenseman from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday added defense depth by recalling Kale Clague from the Rochester Americans.

After Mattias Samuelsson suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday’s 5-1 road win over the Vancouver Canucks, they had only six healthy defensemen on the roster.

Coach Don Granato told reporters following the game the early news on Samuelsson’s injury was positive. Still, he will likely miss some time.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Don Granato says early news on Mattias Samuelsson’s injury ‘positive’

When Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson twisted his right leg and had to be helped off the ice early in Saturday’s second period, coach Don Granato said he was holding his breath.

“You’re wondering what kind of news you’re going to get,” Granato told reporters in Vancouver following the Sabres’ 5-1 win over the Canucks.

Granato said while the Sabres won’t know more about Samuelsson’ lower-body injury until today, the early word is “positive.”... Read the full article

Sabres, Panthers plant seeds of fierce rivalry in heated early-season game

BUFFALO – If you’re wondering, following Saturday afternoon’s entertaining 4-3 loss to Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers, the Sabres don’t play their budding Atlantic Division rival again until Jan. 16.

That three-month wait is too long for coach Don Granato, who loves the grit and tenacity the Sabres displayed while refusing to back down to the Panthers, one of the NHL’s heavyweights.

Saturday’s heated affair at KeyBank Center looked more like a late-season contest ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Victor Olofsson earns spot on first line after fast finish

BUFFALO – As Victor Olofsson’s goal drought dragged on last season, Sabres coach Don Granato began offering some insight into why the winger suddenly stopped scoring.

Olofsson, Granato explained, was battling a soft issue injury – it turned out to be his wrist – that hampered his shooting, his greatest asset. He would massage the puck, and that extra split-second allowed the goalie to catch up.

“He was frustrated and very down because he couldn’t ... Read the full article

Sabres don’t see Mattias Samuelsson’s contract as risky: ‘He is the antidote’

BUFFALO – The sample size is small, just 54 games over parts of two NHL seasons. Still, it was enough to convince the Sabres that defenseman Mattias Samuelsson deserved a seven-year, $30 million contract extension.

The massive deal, announced Wednesday shortly after the Sabres extended coach Don Granato’s contract, certainly raised some eyebrows.

But the Sabres don’t feel it’s a risky move. In the 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson, a top-pair defender, they believe they possess a ... Read the full article