Wilford - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson out against Maple Leafs; Jack Quinn set to return

TORONTO – Following Friday’s practice, Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato said if defenseman Mattias Samuelsson wanted to return from an 11-game absence tonight against the Maple Leafs, he would have to convince him he was ready right now.

But Granato had already made up his mind that Samuelsson needed more practice time after suffering a lower-body injury Oct. 22.

“He wasn’t going to convince me, he wasn’t,” Granato said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s ... Read the full article

With Eric Comrie injured, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might have career-changing opportunity

TORONTO – Earlier this year, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen reached a crossroads in his career. The Sabres, having Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie entrenched in Buffalo, decided the Finnish prospect would begin his fourth pro season in the minors.

If Luukkonen, 23, embraced another stint in the AHL, he could buoy his development. If he pouted, well, who knows what might happen?

Right away, he decided he would use his time with the Rochester Americans to ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kale Clague earning keep on blue line; Rasmus Dahlin returns

BUFFALO – In his previous stops, Sabres defenseman Kale Clague couldn’t always play aggressively. That often neutralized his skating, his greatest strength.

The Sabres, however, want to attack and push the pace. If players make mistakes, coach Don Granato and his staff can live with them.

“The system (here) allows me to be aggressive, whereas maybe some teams prior I’ve been a little bit more on my heels a little bit, based on that,” Clague ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Buffalo adds defenseman; Jacob Bryson seizing leading role

BUFFALO – Just nine games in, the Sabres have already dipped deep into their defense reserves. Hours before Monday’s 8-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings, they recalled Jeremy Davies from the Rochester Americans.

Davies, 25, is the ninth defenseman who has been on the roster this season.

“We’re banged up on the back end and that’s the need, pressing need right now,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Monday prior to Davies’ recall.

They summoned ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson backstops Sabres past Coyotes to cap ‘chaotic day’

By 7 p.m. Saturday, the chaos the Buffalo Sabres had experienced earlier in the day became an afterthought. They could forget about COVID-19 and finally play their game.

As Sabres goalie Craig Anderson, 40, settled into his crease for the first time in 88 days following the national anthem, the energy he felt inside the rink brought back a special feeling.

“That’s kind of the moment where you’re like, ‘All right, this is still enjoyable, ... Read the full article

Sabres awaiting retest results following several positive COVID-19 tests

Several members of the Buffalo Sabres tested positive for COVID-19 prior to tonight’s road game against the Arizona Coyotes, coach Don Granato said.

“Every one of those is retesting, and the only one that we’ve gotten back has returned negative,” Granato said on a Zoom call this afternoon following the Sabres’ pregame skate. “So obviously a pretty active situation. I can tell you all of these test that have gone through, everybody feels normal.”

Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres change up coaching staff, retain Matt Ellis, add two new faces

Don Granato has overhauled the Buffalo Sabres’ coaching staff, retaining Matt Ellis and hiring Jason Christie and Marty Wilford as assistants, the team announced Thursday.

In addition, Justin White has been named video coordinator. Assistant coach Mike Bales, who’s charge of the goalies, and video coach Myles Fee will remain with the Sabres this season, according to the team. Both were hired by ex-coach Ralph Krueger.

Dan Girardi, an interim assistant coach last season, ... Read the full article