Scandella - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Marco Scandella out, lineup for Bruins to be announced later

BUFFALO – Fresh off a three-day Christmas break, the Sabres will change their lineup tonight against the Boston Bruins.

Illness will sideline defenseman Marco Scandella, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

Something has been spreading through the locker room. Krueger said Scandella called Thursday night and he he was sick.

“Hopefully he’s the last one,” Krueger said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “It kind was kind of going through. There were six, seven guys that felt ... Read the full article

Critical goal from Rasmus Ristolainen’s ‘office’ helps Sabres beat Kings

BUFFALO – Having scored all three of his goals this season at the net, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen feels very comfortable around that area these days.

“I feel that’s my office now, the blue paint,” Ristolainen joked after scoring in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. “It’s the only place I can score right now, so I’ve got to go there a couple times a game, maybe get a bounce like today.”... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian mum on if he requested trade

BUFFALO – Zach Bogosian’s demeanor said it all.

For two and a half minutes Friday, the Sabres defenseman answered questions about his uncertain future with terse replies. The normally affable veteran was expressionless.

In his 12-year NHL career, Bogosian had never experienced sitting out a game as a healthy scratch.

Then on Thursday, coach Ralph Krueger, who has eight healthy defensemen on his roster, benched Bogosian for the Sabres’ 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Bogosian healthy scratch as Rasmus Dahlin returns

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, a healthy scratch for Thursday’s 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators, has requested a trade, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

The oft-injured Bogosian, 29, is in the final year of a contract that pays him $6 million this season. He can become an unrestricted free agent following the season.

Bogosian underwent offseason hip surgery and made his season debut Nov. 24. He played 10 straight games before Thursday.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Dahlin excited to be back on ice: ‘It felt like Christmas’

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was so excited to practice with his teammates Tuesday morning he said he woke up at 6:30.

“I was nervous, it felt like Christmas,” said an upbeat Dahlin, who has missed eight games after suffering a concussion Nov. 25. “Good to be back. I was really happy to skate with the boys today.”

Dahlin, 19, hasn’t played since Tampa Bay Lighting defenseman Erik Cernak elbowed him in the ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin skates with Sabres, still not cleared to play

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was so excited to practice with his teammates today he said he woke up at 6:30 this morning.

“I was nervous, it felt like Christmas,” said an upbeat Dahlin, who has missed the last seven games after suffering a concussion Nov. 25. “Good to be back. I was really happy to skate with the boys today.”

Dahlin, 19, hasn’t played since Tampa Bay Lighting defenseman Erik Cernak elbowed him ... Read the full article

Sabres showing signs of progress, close month one point out of playoff spot

TORONTO – Following a few dismal weeks, the Buffalo Sabres have quietly started showing signs of snapping out of their long funk.

Sure, Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs closed a disappointing November in which they went 3-8-2, losing 10 out of 13 games.

But the Sabres finished the month strongly, going 2-1-2. Earning points in four out of five contests during a busy seven-day stretch illustrates progress.

They’ll begin December in fourth ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Colin Miller trying to stay positive during tough start

TORONTO – Who expected Buffalo Sabres defenseman Colin Miller would be a healthy scratch once this season, let alone six times before December?

But a crowded blue line – the Sabres have seven healthy defensemen, including five right-handed shots – forced them to bench one in eight recent games.

Miller, 27, was usually the odd man out.

“I’m not getting many bounces lately,” Miller said prior to Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Casey Mittelstadt scores goal, ends long slump: ‘It’s not easy’

BUFFALO – Like most elite prospects, Casey Mittelstadt was a dynamic scorer in junior and college. So struggling for weeks sometimes in the NHL has been a new experience for the Sabres winger.

“It’s not easy, I’m not going to lie,” Mittelstadt said after scoring in Friday afternoon’s 6-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs inside KeyBank Center, his first goal in 17 games. “But at the same time, I’ve scored pretty much my whole ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: John Gilmour moves up to forward as injury replacement

BUFFALO – In the end, instead of recalling a forward or trading for one, the Sabres simply utilized defenseman John Gilmour as a winger for Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, who has five injured forwards, said Monday the Sabres could dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards.

The other option likely would’ve been recalling someone from the Rochester Americans. The AHL club, however, only has two healthy forwards on NHL ... Read the full article