WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
February Edition
Peyton Krebs made his Rochester debut Friday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – Peyton Krebs woke up in his Ottawa hotel room Thursday morning after having what he called a “weird dream” and checked his phone. Immediately, his heart started racing.
Krebs, who was expecting to play for the Vegas Golden Knights that night, had a few missed calls from general manager Kelly McCrimmon.
Around 6 or 7 a.m., Krebs, 20, learned the Buffalo Sabres acquired him in the blockbuster trade that sent star center Jack ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel hasn’t played since March 9. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Kevyn Adams repeated it over and over – eight times in total while discussing Thursday’s blockbuster Jack Eichel trade. The general manager refuses to compromise if it will interfere with the plan he has laid out to rebuild the Buffalo Sabres.
Adams said he would only deal Eichel, the injured ex-captain, if someone met the Sabres’ asking price. So he held his greatest asset until an offering to the team’s liking materialized.
It took about ... Read the full article
Alex Tuch has scored 61 goals in the NHL. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
In trading ex-captain Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Buffalo Sabres acquired no immediate help for their lineup.
Winger Alex Tuch, who grew up in Baldwinsville rooting for the Sabres, is recovering from shoulder surgery. General manager Kevyn Adams said Tuch will likely be sidelined two more months.
Meanwhile, shortly after the deal was announced, the Sabres assigned center prospect Peyton Krebs, who has 13 games of NHL experience, to the Rochester ... Read the full article
Johnny Boychuk retired last year. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Hours after trading center Jack Eichel today, the Buffalo Sabres swung a minor deal to help them stay above the salary floor, acquiring retired defenseman Johnny Boychuk from the New York Islanders in exchange for future considerations.
Boychuk, who was forced to stop playing last year because of a left eye injury, carries a $6 million cap hit.
The Sabres never dropped below the NHL’s $60.2 million floor after dishing Eichel and his $10 million ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel spent six seasons in Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Jack Eichel saga ended this morning after nearly six months, with the Buffalo Sabres trading their disgruntled former captain to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for two players and two picks.
The Sabres received forwards Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch, a first-round pick in 2022 and a second-round pick in 2023 for the dynamic center. They also sent the Golden Knights a third-round pick in 2023. The first-rounder is top-10 protected.
The ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner scored twice Tuesday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
As the Buffalo Sabres roared out to a surprising start this season, they established a simple, straightforward identity by playing so aggressively.
Given their lack of star power, that style has become their bread and butter. If they get away from it, well, losses like Tuesday’s 5-3 setback to the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center will happen.
The Sabres faced a Sharks team ravaged by COVID-19 and ripe to be exploited. Seven players and ... Read the full article
Oskari Laaksonen is an offensive defenseman. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Oskari Laaksonen’s start this season, the defenseman and his coach acknowledged, wasn’t very good. The Sabres prospect struggled during his time in Buffalo, failing to make an impact in rookie camp or the preseason.
When Laaksonen returned to the Rochester Americans to begin his second AHL season – he played just one NHL exhibition game – it took him a bit to get going.
“My first couple games were not at the level I want ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson has gotten off to a hot start. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Leading scorer Victor Olofsson is questionable for the Buffalo Sabres’ road game tonight against the San Jose Sharks.
Olofsson, 26, has been battling a soft tissue injury. The Sabres held the Swede out of their game day skate at SAP Center.
“He had an injury or an aggravation in a spot we just don’t want to aggravate it, so we’re doing a little bit more on it,” Sabres coach Don Granato said on a Zoom ... Read the full article
Buffalo prospect Jack Quinn has emerged as one of the AHL’s top talents. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Buffalo Sabres prospect Jack Quinn has been recognized for his dynamic start with the Rochester Americans.
The AHL on Monday named Quinn, who recorded five goals and a whopping 10 points in his first six games this season, the Rookie of the Month for October.
Quinn, a winger the Sabres drafted eighth overall in 2020, has registered at least one goal or two points in four of the six contests. He surpassed last year’s point ... Read the full article
Don Granato feels COVID-19 is escalating around the Sabres. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Just minutes before Sunday afternoon’s game, the Los Angeles Kings placed forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Gabe Vilardi on the COVID-19 protocol-related absences list.
The San Jose Sharks, the Buffalo Sabres’ opponent Tuesday, placed seven players and coach Bob Boughner on the list prior to Saturday afternoon’s home contest, which was delayed 30 minutes. The Sharks had to recall five players from the San Jose Barracuda, their AHL affiliate.
COVID protocols forced the AHL to ... Read the full article