Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Brendan Guhle aiming to crack Sabres out of training camp

BUFFALO – In his three recent outings, Sabres defenseman Brendan Guhle wowed the crowd, consistently showcasing the slick talents that make him an elite prospect.

At just 20 years old, Guhle often looks like a veteran, swiftly moving the puck up the ice and getting to the net.

In Saturday’s 7-4 win against the Boston Bruins, Guhle zoomed up and dished across the zone to C.J. Smith before connecting on the return pass at the ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jason Botterill expects prospects to battle for roster spots

BUFFALO – Right now, just one day before the Sabres open training camp, veterans and established youngsters seemingly take up every roster spot for the upcoming season.

Counting returning regulars and offseason additions, the Sabres have 13 forwards and seven defensemen, more than a full lineup.

So what about the prospects? Could some force themselves onto the roster?... Read the full article

Confident Nick Baptiste ready to crack Sabres for good

BUFFALO – Nick Baptiste sounds different this year, more confident in his abilities. The high-scoring winger talks openly about making the Sabres out of training camp.

A breakout AHL season can do that. So can earning your first 14 NHL games.... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jason Botterill believes extension for Jack Eichel will get done

BUFFALO – Jason Botterill believes a contract extension for star Sabres center Jack Eichel will get done, the general manager said Monday.

Botterill, however, offered no date, only saying he hopes to have a new deal completed shortly.

“Both parties would like to get a deal done,” Botterill said inside HarborCenter.... Read the full article

Sabres rookie C.J. Smith enjoying Buffalo

BUFFALO – In late March, after C.J. Smith quickly left UMass Lowell to join the Sabres, the NCAA free agent hardly found a moment to enjoy his brief taste of the NHL.

Smith signed an entry-level contract just days after his junior season ended. He stayed enrolled in school, so classwork was still a part of his daily routine. Following his first NHL practice, the finance major left to take a test online.... Read the full article

Harvard graduate Colin Blackwell impressing Sabres

BUFFALO – As a Harvard graduate, Sabres prospect Colin Blackwell hears it all the time.

“Especially when you don’t have a job come Sept. 1,” the center said Saturday prior to registering an assist in the Sabres’ entertaining 7-4 win against the Boston Bruins in the Prospects Challenge.

Blackwell, 24, is often encouraged to look for work outside of hockey. He studied government and physiology at the prestigious university.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Hudson Fasching ready for fresh start

BUFFALO – In a way, Sabres winger Hudson Fasching is grateful for the groin injury he suffered early last season. No, the prospect isn’t happy a three-month absence derailed his promising rookie campaign.

But Fasching, 22, believes handling his first significant injury toughened him up.

“It was a learning year, learning experience,” Fasching said Friday prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils in the opener of the Prospects Challenge rookie ... Read the full article

Will Butcher enjoyed visiting Sabres

BUFFALO – As you would expect, the picture of defenseman Will Butcher hauling a blue Sabres hockey bag through Denver International Airport last month ignited plenty of speculation about the free agent’s future.

Did the bag mean, Butcher, a former University of Denver star and Hobey Baker Award winner, would sign with the Sabres? Well, no.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Justin Bailey ready to stand out at rookie tournament

BUFFALO – By March, after seven weeks of regular duty, Sabres winger Justin Bailey said he started getting used to the NHL lifestyle.

Thanks to another torrid scoring stretch in the minors, Bailey traded bus travel and his AHL salary for chartered airplanes and a paycheck almost 10 times larger.... Read the full article

After scary concussion, Sabres’ Kyle Okposo healed, excited for new season

BUFFALO – It wasn’t Kyle Okposo’s first time on the ice. That milestone came months ago, after the Sabres winger recovered from the scary concussion that left him hospitalized in intensive care. It wasn’t his first scrimmage, either. The affable veteran played pickup hockey at home this summer in Minnesota.

Still, Okposo’s skate Tuesday inside HarborCenter, a normal early-September session with some scrimmaging at the end, was significant.... Read the full article