WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Casey Mittelstadt knows he must evolve. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt has produced goals and points at every level of hockey. So right now, 10 games into his NHL career, the rookie said he isn’t worried about his offense.
“I’m sure the offense will come, it usually does,” Mittelstadt said prior to Thursday’s 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche inside KeyBank Center. “I’m pretty good with that.”
Mittelstadt, 19, has been an offensive stud wherever he plays. Last season, he ... Read the full article
A lower-body injury sidelined Johan Larsson. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – In his brief time with the Sabres, center Casey Mittelstadt has never even practiced beside Johan Larsson, who will return from a lower-body injury tonight.
While the Sabres used the same lineup in two straight wins, coach Phil Housley wants to give Larsson, 26, a look. So the Swede, who usually plays center, will skate at left wing beside Mittelstadt and Tage Thompson tonight against the Colorado Avalanche inside KeyBank Center.
Larsson, ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has a stronger supporting cast this season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Depth means coach Phil Housley can utilize his so-called fourth line for critical defensive zone faceoffs. It means the Sabres can replace former center Ryan O’Reilly’s minutes by committee. It means it can often be hard to distinguish between the first and fourth trios.
Right now, for the first time in years, the 2-1 Sabres possess depth up front and the ability to roll four lines.
“We’ve been rolling them pretty good,” center ... Read the full article
Phil Housley was miffed after Thursday’s loss. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Coach Phil Housley’s firm voice cut through the din of Friday’s practice every few minutes.
“He was definitely vocal,” winger Kyle Okposo said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s home tilt against the New York Rangers. “I think we got the message.”
Actually, Housley relayed multiple messages Friday morning, hours after an embarrassing 4-0 loss left him seething. He delivered his first before practice.... Read the full article
Vladimir Sobotka briefly fought Boston’s Charlie McAvoy. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Fresh off Thursday’s ugly 4-0 season-opening loss, coach Phil Housley relayed a straightforward message to the Sabres.
“I walked in this morning to the group and said … ‘The sun came up,’” Housley said following practice inside KeyBank Center.
The setback to the Boston Bruins, of course, was just one of 82 games. But given the Sabres’ sorry history in recent seasons, the loss triggered some anger in fans, who booed the home ... Read the full article
The Sabres acquired Tage Thompson on July 1. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tage Thompson knows everything he just earned – one of 23 coveted roster spots and a place on a scoring line – can vanish in a hurry.
As a rookie a year ago, Thompson cracked St. Louis’ opening-night lineup just months after leaving college. The former first-round pick lasted four games before the Blues demoted him to the San Antonio Rampage.
“You never want to feel comfortable,” Thompson said prior to ... Read the full article
Conor Sheary was injured the first day of training camp. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Just as one Sabres winger, Conor Sheary, returned from an injury Sunday, they lost another one.
Toward of the end of practice, Scott Wilson got tangled with defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and appeared to injure his right leg. Wilson stayed on the HarborCenter ice for a couple of minutes before being helped off. He couldn’t put any pressure on his right foot.... Read the full article
Scott Wilson is expected to occupy a spot on the fourth line. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Just as one Sabres winger, Conor Sheary, returned from an injury today, they lost another one.
Toward of the end of practice inside HarborCenter, Scott Wilson got tangled with defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and appeared to injure his right leg. Wilson stayed on the ice for a couple of minutes before being helped off. He couldn’t put any pressure on his right foot.... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian has battled injuries in recent seasons. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Oft-injured Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, who played only 18 games last season, is day-to-day after suffering a lower-body injury Tuesday, coach Phil Housley said.
Housley said Bogosian, 28, will be reevaluated later today after leaving the Sabres’ 4-2 preseason loss to Columbus early.
Injuries, of course, have ravaged Bogosian. The Massena native has missed 114 games – a whopping 42 percent of Buffalo’s outings – since he joined the Sabres on Feb. ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart ended his holdout Wednesday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Instead of utilizing Sam Reinhart or Kyle Okposo at right wing on the No. 1 line tonight, Sabres coach Phil Housley will give youngster Tage Thompson a look beside center Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner.
Thompson, 20, scored a nifty goal in Friday’s 5-3 loss in Toronto, carrying the puck into the zone before toe-dragging and unleashing a wicked wrist shot from the right circle.
“I really liked what he brought to ... Read the full article