Carter Hutton missed two games after getting hit in the head. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Carter Hutton practices, says ‘stubbornness’ made him stay in game

BUFFALO – When Ivan Provorov hit Carter Hutton in the head Jan. 19 in Philadelphia, the Sabres goalie said he felt the effects of it right away.

Still, Hutton stayed in the game. Stubbornness, he said, took over.

“I’m competitive and I want to play,” Hutton said on a Zoom call this morning. “I kept communicating with (head athletic trainer Rich Stinziano), but I definitely didn’t put him in an easy spot, too, because I ... Read the full article

The Sabres assigned Dustin Tokarski to Rochester. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres make goalie moves, also assign Rasmus Asplund to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres today assigned goalie Jonas Johansson from the active roster to the taxi squad, a sign Carter Hutton could be ready for Tuesday’s home game against the New York Rangers.

Hutton left last Tuesday’s 3-0 loss in Philadelphia after Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov hit him in the head. Johansson replaced him for the final period.

Goalie Linus Ullmark has started the last two games.... Read the full article

Linus Ullmark settled down Sunday afternoon to help the Sabres win. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Linus Ullmark earns emotional win, helps Sabres beat Capitals

A look of relief washed over Linus Ullmark’s face after he stymied Nicklas Backstrom’s shootout attempt, securing the Buffalo Sabres’ 4-3 shootout victory Sunday afternoon.

Ullmark, 27, skated out from his crease, tilted his head back and closed his eyes. The much-needed win, just the Sabres’ second this season, capped an emotional week for the goalie, whose father passed away last week.

“It’s been rough, definitely,” Ullmark said on a Zoom call following his ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt played 36 games with Rochester last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres assign rookie Dylan Cozens to taxi squad, recall Casey Mittelstadt

Two days after scoring his first NHL goal, the Buffalo Sabres today sent winger Dylan Cozens to the taxi squad and recalled forward Casey Mittelstadt from the practice group.

Mittelstadt, 22, will likely make his season debut in this afternoon’s road game against the Washington Capitals. The American hasn’t played an NHL game since Dec. 10, 2019.

It’s unclear why the Sabres assigned Cozens, 19, to the taxi squad. The rookie has enjoyed regular ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens has quickly become one of the Sabres’ standouts. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens scores pretty first goal in loss; Rasmus Dahlin benched

It ranks as one of the prettiest first goals scored by a Buffalo Sabres rookie in recent memory. Not only did winger Dylan Cozens unleash a wicked wrist shot from the right circle, he created his own goal by stripping the puck from Brian Pinho at center ice.

When Cozens, 19, scored 10:23 into second period, tying Friday’s game at 2, it appeared the Sabres had seized the momentum from the depleted Washington Capitals.

“It ... Read the full article

The Sabres elevated Jonas Johansson from the taxi squad earlier this week. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ goaltending quickly becomes concern; Jonas Johansson ready to sub

BUFFALO – After allowing five goals on opening night, Sabres goalie Carter Hutton settled down, letting in just two over the next 100 minutes.

Fresh off a 10-month break, Hutton looked sharp and appeared poised to keep earning playing time. But Hutton left Tuesday’s 3-0 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers early after getting hit in the head.

Hutton, 35, is day to day, coach Ralph Krueger said, and did not accompany the Sabres to ... Read the full article

Linus Ullmark practiced Thursday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Linus Ullmark received Sabres’ game puck following father’s death

BUFFALO – When coach Ralph Krueger finished addressing the Sabres following Monday’s 6-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers, he gave his captain, Jack Eichel, the floor.

Goalie Linus Ullmark was supposed to play that night, but after he learned his father had passed away earlier in the day, he and the coaches decided he should take some time off.

Ullmark, 27, stayed with the team, and when Eichel got up, he presented the Swede the ... Read the full article

Linus Ullmark was scheduled to start Monday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark missed games following death of father

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark missed the last two games following the death of his father in Sweden, he told the team’s website today.

Ullmark, whose father entered the hospital early last week, was scheduled to start Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers. After the morning skate – “I had my worst pregame skate in my whole life, probably,” – he told Sabres.com – he checked his phone and saw a missed call from his ... Read the full article

Carter Hutton left Tuesday’s game after 40 minutes. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres lose game to Flyers, goalie Carter Hutton to injury

Shortly after Ivan Provorov collided with Carter Hutton during the second period Tuesday, the Buffalo Sabres goalie stymied James van Riemsdyk’s point-blank opportunity.

Despite taking a hit to the head from Provorov, who was checked into the crease by Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour, Hutton stayed in the game and remained sharp.

But when Hutton returned to the dressing room following the period, he started feeling the effects of the hit, so third-string goalie Jonas Johansson... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin left Monday’s game early. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger wanted suspension for hit on Rasmus Dahlin

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who left Monday’s 6-1 win over the Flyers after Nicolas Aube-Kubel hit him in the head, will play tonight in Philadelphia, coach Ralph Krueger said.

Still, Krueger isn’t pleased. The NHL Department of Player Safety did not suspend Aube-Kubel for what Krueger called a “deliberate hit to the head.”

Instead, the department fined the winger $4,633.62, the maximum amount the collective bargaining agreement allows.

“We were hoping for a ... Read the full article