Schneider - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Craig Anderson’s hot start no surprise to Don Granato

Right away this season, Sabres coach Don Granato learned why goalie Craig Anderson has enjoyed such remarkable longevity.

“On Day One when I saw him in shape and as serious and intent as he was, that’s all I needed to see,” Granato said of the 40-year-old, who’s beginning his first season in Buffalo. “Nothing surprised me after that.”

Forget that Anderson is the NHL’s oldest goalie and third-oldest player, trailing only defenseman Zdeno Chara (44) ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Justin Bailey named AHL All-Star

High-scoring Buffalo Sabres prospect Justin Bailey has been named a replacement for Monday’s AHL All-Star game in Allentown, Pa., the league announced today.

Bailey, 21, a Williamsville native, has a team-high 18 goals with the Rochester Americans, including 10 goals in his last 12 games. His recent seven-game goal-scoring streak is the AHL’s longest this season.

The winger, whose goal total ranks sixth in the league, also has 28 points in 38 AHL appearances. He ... Read the full article

Amerks’ Cole Schneider, Linus Ullmark named to AHL All-Star roster

Rochester Americans forward Cole Schneider and goalie Linus Ullmark have been named to the AHL North Division All-Star roster, the league announced today.

Both players have spent time with the Buffalo Sabres.

Schneider, a Williamsville native and St. Joe’s graduate, leads the Amerks and ranks second in the AHL with 34 points in 28 games. His 14 goals rank second on the team and seventh in the league.

Schneider, 26, has 12 multi-point games his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel nearing return

BUFFALO – Given Jack Eichel’s workload so far in practice – the talented Sabres center has only participated in a couple of battle drills and lines rushes – it seems unlikely he could return from a high left ankle sprain Tuesday.

But Eichel, 20, keeps making positive progress. Today inside HarborCenter, Eichel briefly bumped with some teammates and skated beside Evander Kane, his regular left winger late last season, and a couple of right wingers.... Read the full article

Sabres sent 3 forwards to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent forwards William Carrier, Cal O’Reilly and Cole Schneider back to the Rochester Americans on Saturday.

All three played for the AHL club later in the day against the Albany Devils.

The Sabres, who had Saturday off and don’t play again until Tuesday, have limited salary cap space, so sending players down between games helps save some money.

O’Reilly and Schneider rank third and fourth in AHL scoring.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel skates, has return date in mind

BUFFALO – A week ago, Sabres center Jack Eichel said he circled a date on his calendar he would like to return from the high left ankle sprain that has sidelined him six weeks.

“But that’s pretty fragile and can change pretty quickly,” Eichel told a throng of reporters after skating with his teammates this morning, his first session since injuring his ankle Oct. 12, the day before the season opener.

Eichel, of course, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Cal O’Reilly’s hot start with Amerks rewarded

BUFFALO – Some heads turned when the Sabres awarded center Cal O’Reilly, a talented minor leaguer almost four years removed from his last NHL game, a two-year, $1.4 million contract in 2015.

But O’Reilly, the AHL’s leading scorer, has morphed into a valuable asset for the organization, captaining the Rochester Americans and providing depth for the Sabres.

O’Reilly, 30, proved that Saturday just hours after earning a recall, scoring the shootout winner in the ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Anders Nilsson to start against Penguins

BUFFALO – Toward the end of the morning skate, backup goalie Anders Nilsson, not Robin Lehner, started skating to the Sabres bench.

Would Sabres coach Dan Bylsma really start his backup against the Pittsburgh Penguins over Lehner, his starter who has played 13 of the first 17 games?

After fiddling with his sticks at the bench for a few moments – it almost seemed like Nilsson was teasing everyone trying to see if he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dmitry Kulikov out against Blues

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from HarborCenter, where the Sabres practiced about an hour this morning before flying to St. Louis:

– The Sabres plan to recall some players before Tuesday’s road tilt against the Blues. Only 17 players – 10 forwards, five defensemen and two goalies – practiced today.

They need a defenseman and at least one forward. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (undisclosed injury) missed today’s practice and will miss his third straight game Tuesday, ... Read the full article

Sabres send 3 to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent wingers Nick Baptiste and Cole Schneider and defenseman Justin Falk back to the AHL today.

Hours after playing in the Sabres’ 4-2 road loss Saturday in New Jersey, all three skated in the Rochester Americans’ 3-2 road win against the Springfield Thunderbirds this afternoon.

Baptiste scored two goals, upping his AHL season total to five goals and seven points in six games.

The Sabres, who have been dealing with injuries ... Read the full article