WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Ryan O’Reilly takes a faceoff against Detroit’s Frans Nielsen on Thursday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ryan O’Reilly’s faceoff skills are so dynamic he takes and wins more than any NHL player. Yet the Sabres center thinks draws are, well, overrated.
Overrated?
Sabres coach Phil Housley constantly relies on O’Reilly’s faceoff prowess, utilizing him an average of 26 times a game. Through 75 appearances entering Thursday’s 6-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings inside KeyBank Center, O’Reilly had won 1,181 of the 1,949 draws he had taken, a healthy ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt signed his entry-level contract earlier this week. ©2018, University of Minnesota Athletics
BUFFALO – As puck drop approaches, Sabres rookie Casey Mittelstadt said he might experience some nerves.
“It might be a bit of a long day,” the speedy center said this morning after preparing for his NHL debut, tonight’s tilt against the Detroit Red Wings.
Still, hours before the game, the Sabres’ top prospect seemed unfazed by the life-changing day and all the attention being paid to him.... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt hasn’t played a game in weeks. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Right away, center Casey Mittelstadt’s new teammates reached out and welcomed the slick prospect to the Sabres.
So shortly after Mittelstadt signed his entry-level contract Tuesday, center Jack Eichel took him to lunch. Hours later, winger Sam Reinhart had dinner with Mittelstadt, his new linemate.
Mittelstadt, 19, will make his NHL debut tonight against the Detroit Red Wings inside KeyBank Center. In a miserable season widely regarded as the franchise’s worst ever, ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt played one season at Minnesota. ©2018, University of Minnesota Athletics
BUFFALO – It’s amazing what beating one of the NHL’s best teams, a day off and adding your top prospect can do.
During this morning’s practice, the Sabres’ first with slick center Casey Mittelstadt, the last-place team showcased more energy than they have in weeks.
“Well, that helps when you win a game and you get a day off and you come back and you feel a lot better about yourself, and especially the ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt played in Buffalo at the World Junior Championship. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In barely a year, Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt has lived all three of his hockey dreams.
Right now, having just signed his three-year, entry-level contract, Mittelstadt is beginning his NHL career. The slick center will likely make his debut Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.
Earlier this month, the eighth overall pick in 2017 finished his freshman season at the University of Minnesota. A year ago, he played at Eden Prairie High School, ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt was playing NCAA hockey earlier this month. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In barely a year, Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt has lived all three of his hockey dreams.
Right now, having just signed his three-year, entry-level contract, Mittelstadt is beginning his NHL career. The slick center will likely make his debut Thursday.
Earlier this month, the eighth overall pick in 2017 finished his freshman season at the University of Minnesota. A year ago, he played at Eden Prairie High School, foregoing junior hockey most ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel hadn’t scored a goal since Feb. 8. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – By Jack Eichel’s standards, he hadn’t scored in an eternity.
Thanks to the Buffalo Sabres center’s short slump and a high ankle sprain that cost him 15 games, he went 46 days and six games without scoring before his nifty two-goal effort in Monday’s 3-2 come-from-behind victory.
“I hadn’t scored in a month and a half, it’s not a little bit,” Eichel said after the Sabres ended the Maple Leafs’ 13-game home winning ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt should make his NHL debut Thursday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Even among the established NHL talent on the ice during those morning skates last summer in Minnesota, Buffalo Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt’s skills stood out and turned heads.
“Five-on-five, that pace, that’s the highest pace that I’ve played in the summer and he was really impressive there,” Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said Monday, shortly after Mittelstadt agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract. “I had guys on the bench saying how special of a ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt starred for Team USA at the World Junior Championship. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Even among the established NHL talent on the ice during those morning skates last summer in Minnesota, Buffalo Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt’s skills stood out, even turned heads.
“We skated Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at different rinks, five-on-five,” Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said this afternoon, shortly after the center signed a three-year, entry-level contract. “That pace, that’s the highest pace that I’ve played in the summer and he was really impressive there. I ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt just completed his freshman season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – The Buffalo Sabres have signed top prospect Casey Mittelstadt, the eighth overall pick in 2017, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced this morning.
Sabres coach Phil Housley said this afternoon he wants to play Mittelstadt as soon as possible. Housley said Mittelstadt is expected to arrive in Buffalo tonight or Tuesday. After tonight’s tilt against the Maple Leafs, the Sabres host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Naturally, Housley is ... Read the full article
