Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres send Henri Jokiharju to taxi squad, recall two players

The reeling Buffalo Sabres this morning assigned defenseman Henri Jokiharju to the taxi squad and recalled forward Casey Mittelstadt and defenseman Brandon Davidson from the practice group.

The Sabres, who have lost six straight games, play a road contest this afternoon against the New York Islanders.

Jokiharju, 21, was perhaps the Sabres’ biggest surprise last season, playing all 69 games. But the Finn has struggled to regain that form this year. He sat out Saturday ... Read the full article

Sabres implode against Islanders, lose sixth straight: ‘Just mental toughness’

The Sabres’ sixth consecutive loss started well enough. Rookie defenseman Jacob Bryson scored his first NHL goal 33 seconds into the game, giving Buffalo a rare lead it would hold the remainder of the period.

But given the Sabres’ recent futility and fragileness, it felt like they would implode following any misstep against the New York Islanders. Sure enough, after Mathew Barzal’s between-the-legs goal tied the game 3:51 into the second period, they fell apart.... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams says reeling Sabres being evaluated, including Ralph Krueger

In evaluating coach Ralph Krueger, general manager Kevyn Adams wants to do what’s best for the hapless Buffalo Sabres right now while also considering the big picture.

Adams, a rookie GM who inherited his coach, likes Krueger and clearly wants to fire him only as a last resort.

“Everything is being evaluated,” Adams said on a Zoom call Friday afternoon to discuss the Sabres’ sorry state. “Ralph and I talk every day, multiple times a ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kevyn Adams says Jack Eichel hasn’t requested trade

When the Buffalo Sabres hired Kevyn Adams as general manager, he made it a point to develop a relationship with Jack Eichel, his captain and best player.

“Jack is someone that I’ve bounced things off of, he’s talked to me and we have an open dialogue,” Adams said on a Zoom call Friday afternoon.

Given the Sabres’ woes throughout Eichel’s six-year tenure, some believe he could want out of Buffalo. But Adams said Eichel, ... Read the full article

Sabres unravel against Islanders, lose fifth straight: ‘It’s a dangerous spiral’

In the waning minutes of first period in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders, winger Matt Martin grabbed a pass deep in the Buffalo Sabres zone and skated below the goal line, seemingly boxing himself into the left corner.

But Martin decided to shoot from what looked like an impossible angle, and the puck hit goalie Jonas Johansson in the head and bounced in, putting the Islanders up 2-0 16:21 into the game.... Read the full article

Despite slow start, Sabres’ Taylor Hall open to contract extension with Buffalo

When Taylor Hall shocked the hockey world by signing a one-year, $8 million contract with the Sabres, he said he was open to staying in Buffalo on a long-term deal.

Twenty-one games into the season, Hall and the Sabres have struggled mightily.

Hall scored his first goal since opening night in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders. It was his first even-strength goal this season and just his 13th point. The Sabres, having ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo knows he must start scoring: ‘A results-based business’

Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo knows he can’t take much solace in feeling he played a good game. Through 15 outings this year, the veteran has scored zero goals.

“This is a results-based business, and I understand that playing good gets you nowhere in this industry if the results aren’t there,” a frustrated Okposo said on a Zoom call following Tuesday’s 3-2 road loss to the New York Rangers.

Okposo, 32, nearly scored his first ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens’ fight could have lasting effects for Sabres

As Buffalo Sabres rookie Dylan Cozens battled Ryan Lindgren around the New York Rangers net early in the third period, he knew it was time.

A few games ago, Cozens said he decided he wanted to fight. The winger just needed to pick the right spot.

So when the Rangers defenseman asked him to scrap Tuesday, he happily obliged, dropping the gloves for the first time in his 15-game NHL career.

The 6-foot-3 Cozens, 20, ... Read the full article

‘Bubble lifestyle’ helping Sabres on road; Buffalo to make lineup changes

The Sabres have performed downright awful in Buffalo this season, compiling a wretched 2-7-2 record that ranks 29th in the NHL.

On the road, however, they have often looked like a different team, showcasing a calmer style while scoring more goals. They’re 4-3-1 away from KeyBank Center.

“The bubble lifestyle on the road actually is easier than the bubble we’re attempting to live in at home,” said coach Ralph Krueger, whose Sabres begin a five-game ... Read the full article

Why is Sabres captain Jack Eichel having such a down season?

BUFFALO – Three weeks ago, Sabres captain Jack Eichel felt confident he would shake off his underwhelming start and, in his words, begin to “take off.”

Eichel, understandably, had trouble adjusting to the dizzying pace of the schedule earlier this season.

An upper-body injury sidelined him the first five days of an abbreviated training camp. Then he played 10 games in 18 days following barely a week of practice.

So the COVID-19 pause that began ... Read the full article