Thompson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall two players from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday recalled defenseman Zac Jones and center Noah Ostlund from the Rochester Americans.

In Saturday afternoon’s 3-0 win, defenseman Jacob Bryson entered concussion protocol after Florida Panthers winger Jonah Gadjovich hit him into the boards in the first period, knocking him out of the game.

The Sabres, who play a road game tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, did not practice Sunday. They had one extra forward, Josh Dunne, scratched against ... Read the full article

Sabres defeat Panthers with complete, heavy effort: ‘A lot of passion’

BUFFALO – Well, a lot can change in three days, huh? The Sabres, a laughingstock earlier in the week thanks to their dreadful 0-3-0 start, suddenly look like a contender in the crowded Eastern Conference.

To wit: fresh off a four-goal victory, the Sabres showcased a complete and heavy effort throughout Saturday’s emotional 3-0 triumph over the Florida Panthers, setting an aggressive tone all afternoon and also standing up for themselves physically.

Goalie Alex Lyon, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan McLeod, other forwards struggling early; Alexandar Georgiev practices with Rochester

BUFFALO – Jiri Kulich, the Sabres’ second-youngest forward, got singled out a bit by practicing as an extra before Wednesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

But make no mistake, nearly every Sabres forward struggled during their dreary 0-3-0 start they carried into their contest against the Ottawa Senators.

“This isn’t about Kulich,” coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres began the night with just two goals all season, said Wednesday morning in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

After brief hospitalization, Sabres’ Zach Benson ready to play; UPL, Jordan Greenway also return practice

BUFFALO – In the short term, only one of the three injured players who returned to practice Tuesday, winger Zach Benson, can help the reeling Sabres.

Coach Lindy Ruff said he expects Benson, who was hospitalized last week after a puck cut his face in practice, to play tonight against the Ottawa Senators in KeyBank Center.

Sporting a full “fishbowl” shield to cover his black eye and cut, Benson took reps on Tuesday alongside ... Read the full article

Sabres lose again, in trouble after loss to Avalanche: ‘This is not acceptable’

BUFFALO – Three straight losses to open the season. Two goals scored. One team going nowhere fast.

Less than a week into the season, the Sabres are in a heap of trouble.

Right now, they’re clearly feeling the heat. Players are already agitated and at a loss to explain their first 0-3-0 start since, well, last year.

To wit: as winger Tage Thompson spoke following Monday afternoon’s 3-1 loss, he grew more frustrated as questions ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris out injured; Zach Benson to leave hospital

BUFFALO – Fresh off the most productive summer of his career, a healthy Josh Norris seemed poised to enjoy a breakout season as the Sabres’ new No. 1 center.

The oft-injured Norris, 26, dazzled during four preseason outings, scoring three goals and an NHL-high seven points.

But just one game into the season, he’s hurt again, joining five teammates on the sideline.

What the heck is going on?

“Maybe it’s just a test for us ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Colten Ellis standing out in Buffalo, will get chance to play

BUFFALO – By his second season toiling away in the ECHL, Sabres goalie Colten Ellis said hockey began to feel like a job.

Ellis, 25, spent most his rookie year stopping pucks in Worcester, Massachusetts, before the St. Louis Blues assigned him to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for his second season.

Almost two years into his career, he had played just six games for the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate.

He said he forgot to enjoy ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson joined Buffalo in 2018.

Tage Thompson has confidence in own talent, Sabres’ playoff chances: ‘We just expect that we’re just gonna do it’

BUFFALO – The adversity Sabres winger Tage Thompson endured on his way to becoming one of the NHL’s most dynamic threats makes each goal he scores feel a little sweeter and every win he celebrates alongside his teammates more satisfying.

At times after joining the Sabres seven years ago in a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Blues, it felt like he would never fulfill his vast potential. He sat out games as healthy scratch, ... Read the full article

After rough season, Sabres’ Jack Quinn responds to challenge from Lindy Ruff

BUFFALO – On the surface, Jack Quinn’s 2024-25 season might look productive. The Sabres winger set career highs across the board, recording 15 goals, 24 assists and 39 points.

Of course, two other telling numbers must be attached to that stat line: minus-18, his team-worst rating, and six, the number of games he sat out as a healthy scratch before scoring his first goal against a goalie on Dec. 15.

“You look at a tough ... Read the full article

Injuries sideline Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Michael Kesselring

BUFFALO – Injuries will likely keep Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and defenseman Michael Kesselring from playing in Thursday’s season opener against the New York Rangers.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Luukkonen and Kesselring, both of whom left Wednesday’s 5-3 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, are “kind of week to week.”

“It’s going to be more than day to day,” Ruff said following today’s pregame skate in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article