Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres to use John Gilmour up front, scratch Marco Scandella

BUFFALO – In the end, instead of recalling a forward or trading for one, the Sabres will simply utilize defenseman John Gilmour as a winger.

So for the first time since he was 15 or 16, Gilmour will skate up front tonight against the Minnesota Wild. He could also move back to the blue line, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

Krueger, who has five injured forwards, said Monday the Sabres could dress seven defensemen and ... Read the full article

Reeling, injury-plagued Sabres need to replenish lineup

BUFFALO – Having lost five forwards in the last five games, a stunning run of injuries, the reeling Sabres have two options for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild.

The Sabres can either dress seven defensemen and only 11 forwards, coach Ralph Krueger said, or they can recall a forward from the Rochester Americans.

They stayed remarkably healthy over the first month of the season, utilizing the same lineup most games. But the injuries have ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo out indefinitely with concussion

BUFFALO – Winger Kyle Okposo is out indefinitely after suffering another concussion Saturday, the Sabres announced this afternoon.

Okposo has a scary history of concussions. This is at least his fourth since he joined the Sabres. After suffering one late in 2016-17, he was hospitalized in intensive care.

In the second period of Saturday’s 4-2 win over Ottawa, Okposo, 31, jumped off the bench and collided with Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey. Okposo got up, skated ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Tage Thompson from Amerks

Prospect Tage Thompson is back with the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres recalled Thompson, a winger who spent most of last season in the NHL, from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Having lost winger Kyle Okposo to an undisclosed injury in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, the Sabres needed to summon another forward.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel’s dynamic four-goal game ends Sabres’ losing streak

BUFFALO – Jack Eichel, of course, had scored four goals in a game before his dynamic, career-best performance in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres captain just can’t remember the last time he did it.

“I don’t honestly know,” Eichel said after the Sabres ended their six game-losing streak.

Eichel, 23, said he never scored four goals with Boston University or the U.S. National Team Development Program, his stops before the NHL.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tyler Ennis enjoying life with Senators

BUFFALO – Ten years and four teams later, former Sabres winger Tyler Ennis is still enjoying life in the NHL.

“We got the best job in the world,” Ennis said prior to scoring his 122nd NHL goal in the Ottawa Senators’ 4-2 loss to the Sabres on Saturday inside KeyBank Center.

While stardom eluded Ennis, who made his NHL debut Nov. 14, 2009, he keeps finding work. Teams want the former first-round pick to be ... Read the full article

NHL debut will be emotional for Sabres rookie Rasmus Asplund

BUFFALO – Rasmus Asplund knows it will be difficult to keep his emotions in check today. Not only is the Sabres center set to make his NHL debut, it’s also Hockey Fights Cancer Night at KeyBank Center.

“Cancer is something that’s close to my heart,” Asplund said this morning after the Sabres prepared for the Ottawa Senators.

Both of Asplund’s grandparents on his father’s side passed away from cancer.

“It’s going to be hard,” said ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jimmy Vesey happy with ‘reliable’ game despite lack of offense

BUFFALO – Throughout his first 15 outings this season, winger Jimmy Vesey has embraced whatever role the Sabres have cast him in.

Vesey, 26, has spent the bulk of his ice time skating beside center Casey Mittelstadt and killing penalties. That regular spot on a scoring line hasn’t materialized.

“Jimmy coming in here didn’t have a lot of expectations about his role, which is really positive,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

But Vesey probably expected ... Read the full article

Sabres summon Rasmus Asplund; Johan Larsson ‘possibility’ for Saturday

BUFFALO – When the Sabres sent center Rasmus Asplund to the Rochester Americans following an impressive training camp, it felt like he would return to the NHL soon.

Asplund, 21, turned heads during the preseason, earning a long look from the Sabres. The Swedish prospect figured to be in line for his first recall.

Sure enough, with center Johan Larsson nursing an upper-body injury, the Sabres summoned Asplund this morning.

Larsson is day-to-day, according to ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect Rasmus Asplund from Amerks

BUFFALO – The reeling Sabres, losers of six straight games, recalled center Rasmus Asplund from the Rochester Americans this morning.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Asplund, 21, could make his NHL debut Saturday against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center.

The Sabres, having gone 1-5-2 following their scorching 8-1-1 start, need any spark they can get. They’re 0-4-2 in their last six outings.

Asplund, a second-round pick in 2016, 33rd overall, is one of the Sabres’ top ... Read the full article