Zellweger - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After losing defensemen to injury, Matt Grzelcyk’s signing gives Sabres boost

BUFFALO – The Sabres wasted no time getting newcomer Matt Grzelcyk acclimated. Without the benefit of a practice or pregame skate, they threw the defenseman into the lineup for their preseason finale.

Grzelcyk, who on Friday signed a one-year, $850,000 contract, looked comfortable throughout Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, skating 16 minutes, 48 seconds, mostly alongside Conor Timmins.

“It almost helped, honestly, just having no pregame skate, nothing – just go right ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen leaves game injured as Sabres end preseason

BUFFALO – When the Sabres open the regular season Thursday in Columbus, Colten Ellis could be their starting goalie.

A trying preseason in which they lost five significant players to injury in four games, including top goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon, has mercifully ended.

In Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ruff said Luukkonen, who has a history of injuries, left 3:47 into the third period when he tweaked something on ... Read the full article

Signing Matt Grzelcyk shows Sabres in full Stanley Cup mode; Olen Zellweger could be back for opener

BUFFALO – When the Sabres announced Friday they had signed veteran Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $850,000 contract, it felt like they might also reveal they expected at least one of their two injured defensemen, Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger, to be sidelined longer than they expected.

But Samuelsson and Zellweger, both of whom went down in Tuesday’s 5-1 preseason win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, are doing well.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Samuelsson, ... Read the full article

After losing two defensemen to injury, Sabres sign veteran Matt Grzelcyk

BUFFALO – The Sabres, who lost two of their top defensemen to injury in Tuesday’s preseason game, added depth to their blue line this morning by signing veteran Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

Inking the left-shot Grzelcyk, a puck-moving defender, indicates Mattias Samuelsson, who’s week to week with a lower-body injury, and Olen Zellweger, who has a concussion, could be sidelined into the regular season.

The Sabres open their campaign Thursday on the ... Read the full article

With waivers looming, Sabres prospect Ryan Johnson reaches critical juncture in young career

BUFFALO – Ryan Johnson’s legs are his greatest gift. The Sabres prospect is a sublime, world-class skater who possesses the talent to move alongside anyone.

“We know he can skate with the best players,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said of the defenseman following a recent session of training camp in KeyBank Center. “He can skate with the top players in the league.”

Pure skill isn’t an issue. To stick in the NHL, Johnson, the 31st ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Lyon, Jiri Kulich leave loss to Red Wings with injuries

For the second straight preseason game, the Buffalo Sabres lost two key players to injuries.

Goalie Alex Lyon and center Jiri Kulich both exited Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Update: Ruff said Lyon is being evaluated today. The team will know more about his injury Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kulich stayed off the ice today for maintenance. Ruff said the Czech could skate Saturday or play in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh ... Read the full article

Sabres D Mattias Samuelsson week to week with injury; Olen Zellweger in concussion protocol

BUFFALO – It took less than one week of training camp for injuries to the hit the Sabres hard.

When the Sabres open the season next Thursday on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they could be without two of their top four defensemen.

Mattias Samuelsson, their top shutdown defender, is week to week with a lower-body injury he suffered blocking a shot in Tuesday’s 5-1 preseason win over Columbus, coach Lindy Ruff said.... Read the full article

Sabres lose Mattias Samuelsson, Olen Zellweger to injuries in preseason win

BUFFALO – Uh-oh. Tuesday’s 5-1 preseason win over the Columbus Blue Jackets’ junior varsity squad proved to be costly, as defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger both left the game with injuries.

Samuelsson, 26, blocked Luca Pinelli’s shot 4:36 into the second period before leaving the game around the halfway mark.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Samuelsson, the Sabres’ top shutdown defender, will be further evaluated today.... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo to dress full NHL lineup versus Columbus; Jiri Kulich to keep playing

BUFFALO – With the exception of one goalie, the lineup the Sabres will dress for tonight’s preseason game against the Blue Jackets is likely the one they field for their season opener Oct. 1 in Columbus.

With only four preseason games and veterans who have played 100 NHL games now limited to just two appearances, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff figured he would put his main group together tonight against the Blue Jackets’ B team.

Among ... Read the full article

Josh Doan says Sabres will be fine after losing players in trades: ‘A better team’

BUFFALO – Alex Tuch’s departure from the Sabres earlier this summer via a sign-and-trade deal with the Washington Capitals hardly surprised winger Josh Doan.

In the weeks before free agency opened, it appeared the veteran first-line winger’s run in Buffalo could be ending after five seasons.

“There was noise around whether or not he was staying or go,” Doan said prior to throwing out the first pitch at Saturday’s Bisons game against the Worcester Red ... Read the full article