Thompson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Reeling Sabres implode in ugly loss to Blue Jackets: ‘We got to find it’

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo spoke firmly following Tuesday’s embarrassing 9-4 loss, the low point of the Kevyn Adams-Don Granato era.

The Sabres, the veteran said, did not quit during an ugly second period in which the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets scored four times and opened up a stunning 7-1 lead.

Moments later, when a question was asked about the Sabres listening to their coaches, an angry Okposo immediately shot it down.

“Listen, I’m ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn could return from injury against Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – When Jack Quinn took Alex Tuch’s spot at right wing alongside center Tage Thompson and Zach Benson during Monday’s practice, it appeared he was simply filling in on the Sabres’ top line.

Since Quinn, who tore his Achilles tendon training in late June and underwent surgery, returned to practice earlier this month, he has been sharing reps or subbing for someone.

But it turns out he was ready to graduate to a larger ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson latest player to start wearing neck guard

BUFFALO – On Nov. 14, a skate blade sliced the through the top of Sabres center Tage Thompson’s skate through the tongue and his cut-resistant sock.

“Cut pretty deep, cut a tendon in my foot,” Thompson said prior to Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens in KeyBank Center. “Figured if a blade could through all that stuff, the more layers the better.”

So Thompson, who returned to that game last month before suffering ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Don Granato grateful for support as brother, Tony, battles cancer

BUFFALO – Having battled cancer in 2005, Sabres coach Don Granato understands what his older brother, Tony, is experiencing right now.

On Sunday, Tony, 59, announced in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that he has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and would be taking a temporary leave of absence from his job as an analyst with NBC Sports Chicago.

The last three or four weeks, Don Granato said, have been challenging.... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Eric Robinson in trade with Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – In Eric Robinson, the Sabres on Wednesday traded for a third- or fourth-line winger capable of killing penalties and providing some much-needed energy.

Having lost four straight games and five of their last six, the reeling Sabres needed to make a move, and while the 6-foot-2, 201-pound Robinson is hardly a star, he can certainly help.

In recent games, they’ve looked soft, regularly losing battles and showcasing little pushback. With veteran winger Zemgus ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson returns from injury; Alex Tuch could play soon

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson said he originally expected the left hand injury he suffered on Nov. 14 would sideline him four to six weeks.

“Things progressed a little quicker,” Thompson said prior to recording an assist in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in KeyBank Center. “X-rays came back good.”

Thompson’s injury healed so quickly that he returned in just three weeks. Despite the layoff, he played after participating in just ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson ready to return from injury; Sabres to make roster moves

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson said he originally expected the left hand injury he suffered on Nov. 14 would sideline him four to six weeks.

“Things progressed a little quicker,” Thompson said after skating with his teammates this morning in KeyBank Center. “X-rays came back good.”

Thompson’s injury healed so quickly that he will return ahead of schedule for tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.

“Happily surprised,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “We ... Read the full article

Frustrations mounting for Sabres’ Dylan Cozens: ‘I’ve lacked a little bit of confidence

BUFFALO – In the third period of Sunday’s 2-1 loss, Sabres center Dylan Cozens carried the puck into the Nashville zone, dished it off and made a beeline toward Predators goalie Juuse Saros.

A second later, Cozens grabbed a pass from linemate JJ Peterka and quickly tried to stuff it in the net. Only Saros’ left pad prevented his seventh and final shot of the night from tying the game.

Cozens, who has struggled to ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres lose game to Predators, Alex Tuch to injury

BUFFALO – Things keep getting worse for the Sabres. Not only did they lose again Sunday, their third straight setback and fourth in the last five games, winger Alex Tuch appeared to suffer a hamstring injury chasing down Filip Forsberg on a breakaway.

Tuch departed the 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators about 7:34 into the third period and did not return. As Forsberg zoomed in on goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Tuch grabbed his hamstring and ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Team Canada wants Zach Benson; Buffalo had interest in signing Patrick Kane

BUFFALO – In Monday’s 5-1 road win over the New York Rangers, the NHL’s best team, Sabres rookie Zach Benson played a career-high 18 minutes, 28 seconds.

Benson, 18, spent the night skating left wing on the second line alongside center Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka and on the second power-play unit.

“In a game like that against a top team in Madison Square Garden, he was calm, he made a lot of plays, he ... Read the full article