WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Conor Sheary scored twice Thursday. ©2019, Janet Schultz
PITTSBURGH – Throughout training camp, coach Ralph Krueger insisted his Sabres had embraced the new ideas he and his coaching staff brought to Buffalo.
Krueger wants the Sabres to play fast, stay connected and utilize their instincts. It might take sacrificing a little offense, but in the end, he believes they can reap rewards from the aggressive new approach.
Based on Thursday’s 3-1, season-opening win against the Penguins, Krueger’s message is getting through to the ... Read the full article
Marcus Johansson has impressed coach Ralph Krueger. ©2019, Hickling Images
PITTSBURGH – Marcus Johansson rarely displays much emotion. In good times and bad, the Buffalo Sabres center usually keeps an even keel.
Still, Ralph Krueger could tell being named one of the Sabres’ two alternate captains earlier this week had special meaning to Johansson.
“His Swedish persona (was) able to kind of tuck it away in the talk with me, but I thought he was extremely honored,” Krueger said prior to Thursday’s 3-1, season-opening win ... Read the full article
Carter Hutton played a career-high 50 games last season. ©2019, Hickling Images
PITTSBURGH – In almost equal preseason action, Buffalo Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark outplayed Carter Hutton, posting a goals-against average 64 points lower and a save percentage 49 points higher than his partner.
But Hutton, 33, handled the load last season, playing a career-high 50 games.
Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, who said everything was up for competition during training camp, probably wants to show Hutton respect on opening night against the Penguins.
The veteran will ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson spent last season in Rochester. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
PITTSBURGH – As expected, the Sabres recalled winger Victor Olofsson and defenseman Henri Jokiharju from the Rochester Americans this morning.
In paper moves to get under the salary cap before Tuesday’s roster deadline, the Sabres sent Olofsson and Jokiharju to the AHL.
The Sabres also assigned the three players they summoned Tuesday – forwards Jean-Sebastien Dea and Curtis Lazar and defenseman Lawrence Pilut – to the Amerks.... Read the full article
Ralph Krueger hasn’t coached an NHL game since 2013. ©2019, Hickling Images
PITTSBURGH – Kyle Okposo figures they spent 10 minutes talking about hockey. For most of the evening, the three Buffalo Sabres veterans dining with their new coach, Ralph Krueger, discussed their backgrounds and families.
The sport that consumes so much of their lives didn’t come up much.
“We barely talked about hockey,” Okposo said of the get-together.
When the Sabres hired Krueger on May 15, he hadn’t coached in the NHL in six years. ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe joined the Sabres late in 2013-14. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – New Sabres coach Ralph Krueger announced today he has named center Marcus Johansson and defenseman Jake McCabe alternate captains for the 2019-20 season.
“We feel that that’s a strong group for the ice,” Krueger said following today’s practice inside KeyBank Center.
Johansson and McCabe replace defenseman Zach Bogosian and winger Kyle Okposo.... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson played six games with the Sabres last season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Everyone can see Victor Olofsson’s dynamic ability to shoot the puck has helped him develop into an elite goal scorer.
The quick release. The accuracy and speed.
Few players can unleash the puck like the 24-year-old Sabres rookie.
“He’s a pure goal scorer,” Sabres captain Jack Eichel said following Tuesday’s practice inside KeyBank Center.
Olofsson’s lethal shot has helped him morph from an unknown seventh-round pick into a first-line NHL winger.
Still, a ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson will be back soon. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – In what are almost certainly paper transactions, the Sabres sent winger Victor Olofsson and defenseman Henri Jokiharju to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.
The Sabres also recalled forwards Jean-Sebastien Dea and Curtis Lazar and defenseman Lawrence Pilut.
In addition, the Sabres placed defensemen Zach Bogosian, Matt Hunwick and Brandon Montour and goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on injured reserve.... Read the full article
Chris Taylor knows the Sabres well. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Having just spent most of training camp with the Sabres, coach Ralph Krueger expects Chris Taylor to transition to the NHL smoothly.
The Sabres promoted Taylor, the Rochester Americans’ head coach, on an interim basis today to replace assistant coach Don Granato, who’s hospitalized with pneumonia.
Granato, 52, will be taking a medical leave from the Sabres.
“The curve is in the right direction,” Krueger said of Granato’s health following today’s practice ... Read the full article
Chris Taylor has led Rochester to two playoff appearances. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Assistant coach Don Granato has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia and will be taking a medical leave from the Sabres, the team announced this morning.
To replace him, the Sabres have promoted Rochester Americans head coach Chris Taylor on an interim basis.
Amerks assistant Gord Dineen, 57, will take over Taylor’s coaching duties. Sabres development coach Adam Mair will also assist Rochester early in the season.... Read the full article