WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
The Sabres want to give Alexander Nylander a look. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Why now? Why did the Sabres recall top forward prospect Alexander Nylander on Monday of all days, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and his brother, slick rookie William Nylander, in town?
On one hand, the night was unforgettable. NHL debuts are always special, but could you imagine doing it against your brother? On the other hand, the pressure on Alexander Nylander, 19, only increased with his high-scoring sibling in town with the scorching ... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander was recalled this morning. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Why now? Why did the Sabres recall top forward prospect Alexander Nylander today of all days, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and his brother, slick rookie William Nylander, in town?
On one hand, the night will be unforgettable. NHL debuts are always special, but could you imagine doing it against your brother? On the other hand, the pressure on Alexander Nylander, 19, will only increase.... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander has spent the entire season in the AHL. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Top Sabres forward prospect Alexander Nylander, the eighth overall pick in 2016, could be recalled from the Rochester Americans and make his NHL debut in tonight’s tilt against his brother, William, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Update: Nylander has been recalled.
Nylander, 19, was held out Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 road win against the Albany Devils. The Buffalo News reported the Sabres will summon the Swede from the AHL club.... Read the full article
C.J. Smith played his final NCAA game last week. ©2017, UMass Lowell
BUFFALO – The play will be seared in Sabres rookie C.J. Smith’s memory the rest of his life.
Halfway through Smith’s NHL debut, Sunday afternoon’s 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders, the speedy winger grabbed Evander Kane’s pass just outside the blue line and zoomed into the zone on a two-on-one.
Smith then dished a backhand saucer pass to Kane, who beat goalie Jaroslav Halak for his team-leading 27th goal. Just 10:08 into his ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen is happy he can play again. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In 74 games this season, defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has averaged just under 27 minutes of playing time, the Sabres’ highest total. All together, the workhorse has spent almost 2,000 minutes on the ice in his fourth NHL campaign.
So while a three-game suspension for hitting Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel disappointed Ristolainen, 22, the short break from the rigors of a long year was welcomed.
“I got a good rest,” Ristolainen said of his absence. ... Read the full article
C.J. Smith, shown here with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, will make his NHL debut this afternoon. ©2017, MJB Images, Chicago Steel
BUFFALO – Thursday, Sabres newcomer C.J. Smith’s first day in the NHL, was “extremely overwhelming,” the rookie winger said.
“I didn’t get to soak it in as much as I wanted to,” Smith said Saturday inside HarborCenter.
Smith signed his entry-level contract in the morning, practiced with his new teammates shortly after and had to take a test online – the finance major is still enrolled at UMass Lowell, where he spent three seasons – ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen (55) hits Carolina’s Jeff Skinner on Dec. 22. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, his three-game suspension meant he received a short break from the rigors of a long season.
“I got a good rest,” Ristolainen said of his absence. “I worked out well, picked up practices and I’m ready to go. It felt like a month.”
Ristolainen’s ban for hitting Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel is over. The workhorse will return for Sunday afternoon’s home tilt against the New York Islanders.
While the ... Read the full article
C.J. Smith enjoyed a big junior season. ©2017, UMass Lowell
BUFFALO – After C.J. Smith led UMass Lowell in goal scoring for the third consecutive season, River Hawks coach Norm Bazin knew his star forward would have opportunities to turn pro.
Smith, who signed a two-year contract with the Sabres on Thursday, enjoyed a huge 2016-17 campaign, scoring 23 goals and 51 points in only 41 games.
But something besides Smith’s scoring prowess helped him morph from an undrafted youngster into an NHL prospect ... Read the full article
C.J. Smith just finished a strong junior season. ©2017, UMass Lowell
BUFFALO – As a speedy forward fresh off a 23-goal, 51-point junior season, Sabres newcomer C.J. Smith had plenty of suitors earlier this week after he decided to leave UMass Lowell and turn pro.
So why did Smith, 22, ultimately sign a two-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres? The city certainly played a factor.
“It just kind of fits the person I am,” Smith said Thursday following his first NHL practice. “I grew up in ... Read the full article
C.J. Smith, shown here with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, signed a two-year, entry-level contract today. ©2017, MJB Images, Chicago Steel
BUFFALO – As a speedy forward fresh off a 23-goal, 51-point junior season, Sabres newcomer C.J. Smith had no shortage of suitors earlier this week after he decided to leave UMass Lowell and turn pro.
So why did Smith, 22, ultimately sign a two-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres? The city certainly played a factor.
“It just kind of fits the person I am,” Smith said this afternoon following his first NHL practice. “I grew ... Read the full article
