WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
2026-27 Season Edition
Conor Sheary celebrates his goal Tuesday. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In his five-year NHL career, Sabres winger Conor Sheary said he had never experienced being a healthy scratch until last month.
“That was something different for me,” said Sheary, who sat out three times over a six-game stretch.
But in his first half season as Sabres coach, Ralph Krueger has established he’s willing to scratch anyone.
Krueger benched forward Evan Rodrigues on opening night and has kept sitting him out for months. In ... Read the full article
Marco Scandella joined the Sabres in 2017. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres traded defenseman Marco Scandella to the Montreal Canadiens tonight for a fourth-round pick in 2020.
Update: The Sabres have traded the selection they received from Montreal to the Calgary Flames for forward Michael Frolik.
Scandella, a Montreal native, will be an unrestricted free agent following the season.
The Sabres and Canadiens, of course, rarely make trades. Right now, the sixth-place Sabres trail their Atlantic Division rival by one point.... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson (68) tries to get through some St. Louis players Dec. 10. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Victor Olofsson, who led all first-year players with six goals and 14 points in 14 games in December, has earned NHL Rookie of the Month honors for the second time this season, the league announced today.
Olofsson, 24, was also named the top rookie for October.
The Swede quickly morphed into a top Calder Trophy candidate this season, scoring six goals in the first seven games. He also set an ... Read the full article
Dalton Smith played one game with the Sabres. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The Sabres placed winger Dalton Smith on waivers this afternoon, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Smith, 27, made his NHL debut in Tuesday’s 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, skating just one minute, 26 seconds.
The Sabres, who had been pushed around by the Lightning earlier this season, signed Smith to a one-year, two-way contract Monday.
The tough guy had played on an AHL deal with the Rochester Americans the last three ... Read the full article
Evan Rodrigues has scored zero goals this season. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
“I have all the confidence in my ability, I have all the confidence in my defensive ability, I have all the confidence in my speed and my skill to play with everyone in this league.”
– Evan Rodrigues, Sept. 23, 2019
BUFFALO – Barely three months ago, Sabres forward Evan Rodrigues was brimming with confidence.
Fresh off a season in which he set career highs and showcased his versatility by playing 11 of the 12 ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe (19) and Marcus Johansson (90) were dejected Tuesday. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Halfway through Tuesday’s shocking 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres captain Jack Eichel showcased why he might be underutilized as a penalty killer.
With the Sabres up 3-1, Eichel pounced on a loose puck in his own zone and zoomed down the ice. When the slick center hit the right circle, he undressed defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk before skating through the slot and backhanding a shot by goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy for his ... Read the full article
Curtis Lazar enjoys playing center. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Curtis Lazar loves playing center. After thriving back at his natural position a year ago with the Stockton Heat, the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate, he talked to the Sabres during free agency about remaining there.
“All my conversations during the summer said I’d be down the middle, and then I come to camp and played strictly wing,” said Lazar, who signed a one-year, $700,000 contract July 1. “I’m honestly fine with whatever. I ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has played at an MVP level this season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel’s selection to the NHL All-Star Game, of course, was a no-brainer.
Eichel’s fifth NHL season has quickly become his best. Right now, he ranks among the game’s elite stars.
The slick center has already scored 24 goals, just four off his career high, and 52 points in 39 games. He’s tied for third in NHL goal scoring and is seventh in points entering tonight’s game against the Tampa ... Read the full article
Dalton Smith played 400 pro games before earning his first trip to the NHL. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Long before the Sabres signed him to a two-way contract Monday, Dalton Smith seemed destined to reach the NHL.
In 2010, the Columbus Blue Jackets drafted the 6-foot-2, 210-pound winger 34th overall. Second-round picks, of course, are expected to make the big leagues.
But Smith’s road to the NHL would be long and arduous.
His stint as a bonafide prospect was short. After spending two seasons with Columbus’ AHL affiliate, he started bouncing ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has already scored 24 goals. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – A stellar season in which he has scored 24 goals and 52 points in 39 games and generated MVP talk has helped Sabres captain Jack Eichel earn a spot in the NHL All-Star Game for the third straight season, the league announced today.
Eichel, who will play for the Atlantic Division, was one of 37 players selected by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department. The league previously announced the captains of the four divisions.... Read the full article