Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

With Linus Ullmark injured, Sabres will likely turn to goalie Carter Hutton

BUFFALO – While Sabres coach Ralph Krueger wouldn’t reveal tonight’s starting goalie, it’s a safe bet he will utilize Carter Hutton against the Montreal Canadiens.

Throughout a three-month slump in which he has morphed into a spare part, Hutton, 34, has quietly gone about his business, expressing confidence in his ability to bounce back and showing support for his teammates.

With workhorse Linus Ullmark sidelined three to four weeks with a lower-body injury, Krueger ... Read the full article

First recall to Sabres special for goalie Jonas Johansson: ‘Just really pumped’

BUFFALO – On Monday, goalie Jonas Johansson represented the Rochester Americans at the AHL All-Star Classic, an honor he received for his breakout season.

After landing Tuesday night in Rochester following a long travel from Ontario, Calif., Amerks coach Chris Taylor called Johansson to relay some special news.

Johansson, 24, had earned his first recall to the Sabres. Having lost Linus Ullmark to a lower-body injury for three to four weeks in Tuesday’s 5-2 home ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Jonas Johansson from Amerks

BUFFALO – Having lost Linus Ullmark to a lower-body injury, the Sabres recalled goalie Jonas Johansson from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Johansson, 24, has enjoyed a breakout season, compiling a 13-3-3 record with a 2.19 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and two shutouts in 20 games. The Swede represented the Amerks in Monday’s AHL All-Star Classic in Ontario, Calif.

Coach Ralph Krueger said following Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators the ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Senators, goalie Linus Ullmark to injury

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel walked into the dressing room following Tuesday’s embarrassing 5-2 loss to the hapless Ottawa Senators seething.

At first, the center offered terse answers. He stared at a reporter who asked about the Sabres’ need for roster help.

But Eichel, whose Sabres just enjoyed a 10-day break between games, eventually opened up a little, letting his frustrations spew out.

Not only had one of the NHL’s also-rans just beaten the ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jason Botterill would like to add forward before trade deadline

BUFFALO – Even after acquiring Michael Frolik earlier this month, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill would like to add another forward before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

The Sabres’ depth up front, of course, was weak before Vladimir Sobotka and Tage Thompson both suffered season-ending injuries in November.

Right now, Victor Olofsson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Evan Rodrigues has been a huge disappointment, scoring just two goals and often sitting out as a ... Read the full article

Goalie Linus Ullmark thriving in new role as Sabres’ starter

BUFFALO – Goalie Linus Ullmark’s second full NHL season has quickly become a blur. The Swede has started 32 of the Sabres’ 49 games, putting him on pace to play a career-high 54 times entering tonight’s contest against the Ottawa Senators.

The loquacious Ullmark, 26, has enjoyed a massive workload since Nov. 19, starting 24 of the last 29 games. During his emergence as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, he has played more games and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo hit hard by Kobe Bryant’s death: ‘He was a titan’

BUFFALO – Kyle Okposo grew up a rabid basketball fan in the 1990s and said he played the sport “way before” he took up hockey. The Sabres winger still loves talking about the NBA of his youth and its stars.

So the death of 41-year-old basketball legend Kobe Bryant has impacted Okposo. He sounded emotional this afternoon discussing Bryant, who died in helicopter crash Sunday in Los Angeles with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner close to playing with make-or-break stretch ahead for Sabres

BUFFALO – This upcoming stretch will likely decide the Sabres’ season. They play nine of their first 10 games following the NHL All-Star break at KeyBank Center, where they’ve compiled a terrific 14-6-3 mark this season.

The odds, of course, are slim the Sabres, who trail the Florida Panthers by 10 points for the Atlantic Division’s final playoff spot, can roar back into the race.

But given their upcoming slate of home games and winger ... Read the full article

Prospect Rasmus Asplund could return to Sabres soon

BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres recalled defenseman Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans on Sunday after the NHL All-Star break ended.

But what about forward Rasmus Asplund, who was sent to the Amerks with Pilut and winger Scott Wilson when the Sabres started their bye last week?

Coach Ralph Krueger said winger Jeff Skinner’s status for Tuesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators and whether the Sabres use seven defensemen will determine if the ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Lawrence Pilut from Amerks after break ends

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled defenseman Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Pilut, 24, will likely practice with the Sabres this afternoon at LECOM Harborcenter, when they resume their season following their bye and the NHL All-Star break.

The Sabres assigned the Swede to the Amerks when their break began last week.... Read the full article