Skinner - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres captain Kyle Okposo quiet on future as trade deadline nears

TORONTO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo chose his words carefully, only revealing that he has spoken to general manager Kevyn Adams about his future, and they’re on the same page as Friday’s trade deadline approaches.

“We’ll keep the rest of those talks private,” Okposo, 35, said following Tuesday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.

In answering other questions, however, Okposo essentially acknowledged the obvious: that after eight years in Buffalo, he seems prepared for a possible trade ... Read the full article

Slick assist helps Sabres’ leading scorer Casey Mittelstadt emerge from slump

BUFFALO – Early in Thursday’s overtime, Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt grabbed defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s pass and immediately pivoted toward the net.

For a second, it appeared Mittelstadt could shoot from the right circle. But he was intent on dishing the puck during the four-on-three power play.

In the past, Mittelstadt explained, he might’ve tried to force a pass to center Tage Thompson, whose one-timer from the circle can be lethal. He looked in that direction ... Read the full article

Sabres illustrate growth by annihilating Golden Knights: ‘A mature response’

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, if the Sabres had blown a two-goal lead in a matter of minutes like they did Saturday, they likely would’ve lost.

So their 7-2 dismantling of the Vegas Golden Knights before a noisy crowd of 16,693 fans in KeyBank Center represents growth.

Coach Don Granato has recently been saying the Sabres have matured and become better equipped to handle adversity. Saturday’s triumph over the defending Stanley Cup champion and ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner leaves practice injured; Sabres make roster move

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jeff Skinner, whose 19 goals are tied for the team lead this season, left Monday’s practice with an undisclosed injury.

Coach Don Granato said following the session in LECOM Harborcenter that Skinner, 31, would undergo imaging before the Sabres left for their two-game road trip, which begins tonight against the Florida Panthers.

Early Monday afternoon, the Sabres recalled forward Tyson Jost, a sign Skinner could be unavailable.... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt, UPL lead Sabres to emotional win over Hurricanes

BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt smiled and laughed. You see, he stole the slick move he utilized to score the shootout winner in Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 victory from teammate Owen Power.

As luck would have it, Power, who tied the game late in regulation, went ahead of him. In stopping the defenseman and two other Sabres, Mittelstadt noticed Carolina Hurricanes goalie Spencer Martin kept coming out of the crease to challenge shooters.

So armed ... Read the full article

Sabres believe Peyton Krebs ready for offensive role; UPL set to return

BUFFALO – The confidence Sabres center Peyton Krebs displayed in grabbing the puck in his own zone, roaring up the ice and undressing a defender at the blue line has taken years to develop.

In junior hockey, sure, Krebs’ skill would allow him take over a game like he did in the second period of Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers. But in the NHL, Sabres coach Don Granato explained, he has been “building ... Read the full article

Sabres star Tage Thompson confident despite low offensive output

BUFFALO – This is nothing new for Tage Thompson. The Sabres center has battled adversity – a trade, demotion, unmet expectations and more – throughout his career.

Each experience shaped Thompson, 26, and last season, his fifth here, he developed into one of the NHL’s elite talents, scoring 47 goals and 94 points as the Sabres contended for a playoff spot.

This season, the first of his seven-year, $50 million contract, has often been rough.... Read the full article

Mature game helping Sabres rookie Zach Benson earn keep in NHL

BUFFALO – Zach Benson, the new left winger on the Sabres’ second line alongside center Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka, hasn’t recorded a point in his last 11 outings. The rookie scored his last goal back on Dec. 15, 18 games ago.

Benson, 18, has compiled four goals in 38 games this season, one less than Jack Quinn, the player he’s replacing, has scored in 17 contests.

Still, after Quinn suffered a lower-body injury Jan. ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner close to returning from injury; Sabres recall defenseman

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jeff Skinner, out the last five games with an upper-body injury, could return for tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, the start of a three-game road trip.

Skinner, 31, practiced Monday in LECOM Harborcenter in his usual spot at left wing alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.

“Skinner went full go in practice, and I’ll find out exactly what that means,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Monday in KeyBank Center. ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner among Sabres greats as he keeps evolving, scoring goals

BUFFALO – These days, you rarely hear about that hefty contract Sabres winger Jeff Skinner signed five years ago. The 14-year veteran has not only recaptured his scoring prowess under coach Don Granato, he has evolved into a consistent, multi-faceted threat.

In averaging 34 goals and 73 points over the past two seasons, the struggles Skinner, 31, endured three and four years ago – he mustered six goals and 11 points during a wretched 66-game ... Read the full article