Schaller - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly selected for NHL All-Star Game

BUFFALO – In just half a season here, center Ryan O’Reilly has already become perhaps the Sabres’ most popular player.

In a blue-collar city, O’Reilly’s versatile style and accountable personality have resonated with the Sabres’ rabid fan base. The 24-year-old plays more than any other NHL forward. He leads the team in scoring and has 17 points in the last 17 games. Following games, O’Reilly often passionately laments what he and his teammates couldn’t accomplish.... Read the full article

Panthers star Jaromir Jagr still feasting on Sabres

BUFFALO – Late Monday, around 10:30 or 11:30 p.m., as many of his Florida Panthers teammates were probably turning in for the night, 43-year-old Jaromir Jagr was allegedly inside the First Niagara Center working out.

“Our cameras caught him,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Tuesday prior to Jagr’s 87^th career appearance against Buffalo, a 5-1 Panthers win in which the Czech scored his 736^th NHL goal.

As Jagr has grown older, his legend ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Robin Lehner and Mark Pysyk to begin rehab assignments

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Robin Lehner and defenseman Mark Pysyk will begin AHL rehab assignments with the Rochester Americans later this week, coach Dan Bylsma said this morning.

The Amerks play three games in three days this weekend, so Lehner might start two of the three. Bylsma also said he would be with the team a week from Wednesday.

Lehner hasn’t played since suffering a high right ankle sprain Oct. 8, opening night. Pysyk, meanwhile, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nick Deslauriers out 3-5 weeks with lower-body injury

BUFFALO – Winger Nick Deslauriers, the Sabres’ top physical presence recently, will be out three to five weeks with a lower-body injury, coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon.

Deslauriers was injured Saturday afternoon in the Sabres’ 4-3 loss to Detroit but finished the game. He was seen today wearing a boot on his right foot.

Bylsma said Deslauriers has “been our most physical guy the last 10 games” as a fourth-liner. Deslauriers has three ... Read the full article

Ex-Sabres tough guy John Scott wants NHL All-Star spot

BUFFALO – The sight, of course, would be odd. Just imagine 6-foot-8 former Sabres tough guy John Scott, who has five goals in his eight-year career, competing against superstars like Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos in the new three-on-three NHL All-Star Game format.

If fans keep casting online ballots for Scott, that could happen Jan. 31 in Nashville.

Right now, Scott, a healthy scratch 19 times with the Arizona Coyotes this season, is the ... Read the full article

Sabres face stiff test in upstart Coyotes

BUFFALO – The Arizona Coyotes, of course, hardly register on the radar around here. As one of the NHL’s perennial dregs, they usually rank among the league’s most irrelevant teams.

But that’s starting to change this season, as two talented rookie forwards – Max Domi and Anthony Duclair – have helped a team many pegged for a lottery pick race out to a 13-11-1 start.

“We don’t see Arizona all that often, but it’s hard ... Read the full article

World junior memories special for Sabres youngsters

BUFFALO – Eleven months ago, on the grand stages of Montreal and Toronto, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart showcased why he’s regarded as one of hockey’s top prospects, starring for Team Canada during its run to world junior championship gold.

“I had a blast, one of the best times of my life,” Reinhart said this afternoon, shortly after it was announced Buffalo would host the tournament again in 2018.

Two years ago in Sweden, defenseman Rasmus ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Carlo Colaiacovo grateful for opportunity

BUFFALO – Having endured a string of injuries in his 20s that almost derailed his career, Sabres defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo understands what it’s like to nearly lose something you love so dearly.

That’s one reason why the affable veteran, who’s on his fourth team in four seasons and nearly went to Russia last year before an opportunity materialized in Philadelphia, is cherishing his time with the Sabres.

“To have been in the league for so ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff returns to Buffalo with elite Stars team

BUFFALO – A scorching start buoyed by the NHL’s best offense. Young superstar talent. Terrific depth.

When did the Dallas Stars’ Lindy Ruff have all that before? Nine years ago, when Ruff coached a slick young Sabres team to the 2006-07 Eastern Conference final following a 113-point regular season.

Back then, Ruff had a stacked club led by co-captains Daniel Briere and Chris Drury and young talent like Brian Campbell, Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evander Kane wants to play this week; Zach Bogosian set to return

BUFFALO – After Evander Kane suffered a left MCL injury Oct. 24, the Sabres winger took a positive approach. When doctors told him he would be sidelined four to six weeks, he aimed to return after three and a half weeks.

A year ago with Winnipeg, Kane said he suffered the exact same injury to his right knee and returned in that timeframe.

“I’m a big believer in the mind’s a powerful thing,” Kane said ... Read the full article