Dustin Tokarski has played 14 games this season.

Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski enters NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon announced goalie Dustin Tokarski has been placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Tokarski, 32, is the first Sabres player to enter the league’s protocol this season. To replace Tokarski, the Sabres have recalled goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 22, from the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres, who play a road game tonight against the Florida Panthers, also acquired goalie Malcolm Subban earlier today from the Chicago Blackhawks.... Read the full article

Malcolm Subban has played 82 NHL games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres address goaltending, acquire Malcolm Subban from Blackhawks

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon addressed their goaltending, acquiring Malcolm Subban from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations.

With No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson recovering from an upper-body injury, the Sabres have been relying on journeyman goalie Dustin Tokarski.

Sabres goalie Aaron Dell, Tokarski’s backup, was pulled from his last start. The Sabres even started Tokarski back-to-back nights last week, most likely because of Dell’s struggles.... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt has played just one game this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: After long wait, Casey Mittelstadt healthy, ready to play

Throughout his career, Buffalo Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt has showcased durability, rarely missing time due to injury.

Then on opening night, Mittelstadt, 23, suffered an upper-body injury. The Sabres estimated then he would be sidelined at least two weeks.

Seven weeks and 21 games later, Mittelstadt is finally ready to play. The American will return for tonight’s road game against the Florida Panthers.... Read the full article

Rochester was scheduled to play Wednesday and Friday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

AHL postpones two Amerks games due to COVID-19 protocols

The AHL on Wednesday afternoon postponed the Rochester Americans’ next two games due to COVID-19 protocols.

The Amerks were scheduled to host the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday at Blue Cross Arena and the Springfield Thunderbirds on Friday. No makeup dates have been announced.

On Wednesday morning, the Amerks announced coach Seth Appert entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol and would be unavailable to coach against the Crunch. In his absence, assistants Michael Peca and Mike Weber... Read the full article

Seth Appert is in his second season coaching Rochester. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Seth Appert in COVID-19 protocol, to miss Amerks game

Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert has entered the AHL’s COVID-19 protocol and will be unavailable for tonight’s home game against the Syracuse Crunch, the team announced this morning.

In his absence, assistant coaches Michael Peca and Mike Weber will coach the Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate.

Appert, 47, is the first member of the Amerks to be sidelined by COVID protocols this season.

Update: The AHL this afternoon postponed  tonight’s game and the Amerks’ home contest Friday ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin leads Buffalo in ice time. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin struggling to find consistency

BUFFALO – The challenge of living up to the lofty expectations thrust upon him as a No. 1 overall pick has often been difficult for Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin to handle.

Dahlin, 21, wasn’t just the first youngster drafted in 2018; he was anointed a generational talent. The pressure that accompanies that label can be stifling.

“He’s not compared to another defenseman in the league; he’s compared to the absolute best defensemen in the league ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt has missed the last 21 games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Dustin Tokarski leaves practice early; Casey Mittelstadt on track to play

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski left this morning’s practice early and was being evaluated after taking a shot in the facial area, coach Don Granato said.

The Sabres, who leave this afternoon for a two-game road trip, have one other healthy goalie on the roster, Aaron Dell.

Meanwhile, Granato said center Casey Mittelstadt, who suffered an upper-body injury Oct. 14, is on track to play Thursday against the Florida Panthers. Mittelstadt practiced between Zemgus ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner skates in front of Seattle goalie Chris Driedger on Monday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres fall behind early, lose to Kraken; Jeff Skinner looking like old self

BUFFALO – With the Sabres enjoying a first-period power play Monday, center Tage Thompson dug the puck out from the wall and fed defenseman Rasmus Dahlin at the left point.

During a power play earlier in the period, Dahlin fell down behind his own net, helping Carson Soucy score the first short-handed goal in the Seattle Kraken’s 22-game history.

Surely, it couldn’t happen again, right? The Sabres’ hadn’t allowed a short-handed goal all season.... Read the full article

Mark Jankowski thrived in Rochester before signing with Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Mark Jankowski grateful for time with Amerks, excited to join Sabres

BUFFALO – After spending nearly four straight seasons in the NHL, Sabres center Mark Jankowski found limited opportunities as a free agent during the summer. Eventually, he settled for an invitation to the New Jersey Devils’ training camp.

After the tryout expired and the Devils passed on signing him, a chance to join the Rochester Americans materialized.

Jankowski said he and the Amerks’ coaching staff talked a lot. He liked what he heard and felt ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch joined Buffalo on Nov. 4. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Casey Mittelstadt takes another step toward return; Alex Tuch joins Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that, yes, he has thought about what his lineup might look like when some of his injured players get healthy.

So Granato knows where he could put center Casey Mittelstadt and winger Alex Tuch, both of whom skated with the Sabres this morning, when they’re healthy. It was the first session with the Sabres for Tuch, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery.

Mittelstadt, who had his first contact ... Read the full article