Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly out indefinitely after appendectomy

The reeling, last-place Buffalo Sabres will be without Ryan O’Reilly indefinitely after the center underwent an emergency appendectomy over the three-day Christmas break, the team announced this morning.

Update: Sabres coach Dan Bylsma told reporters in Detroit O’Reilly could miss two to three weeks.

The absence of O’Reilly, the Sabres’ top all-around forward and lone NHL All-Star last season, could doom a team dangerously close to falling out of the playoff hunt. The Sabres have ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander faces high expectations with Sweden

ROCHESTER – A year ago, Buffalo Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander wowed as a 17-year-old at the World Junior Championship, showcasing his dynamic skills while leading Team Sweden with four goals and nine points in seven games.

So naturally, the expectations this year for Nylander, a youngster many believe was the most talented player in the 2016 NHL Draft, are extremely high.

Not only is Nylander a year older, the eighth overall pick has spent the ... Read the full article

Versatility could earn Sabres prospect Casey Fitzgerald spot with USA

BUFFALO – If you ask a hockey prospect who he tries to emulate on the ice, most will name some of the NHL’s top talent, perhaps a superstar.

Then there’s Casey Fitzgerald, a 5-foot-11, 187-pound defenseman the Sabres drafted in the third round, 86th overall, in June.

Years ago, before Fitzgerald’s father, Tom, joined New Jersey’s front office as assistant general manger, he told his son to watch defenseman Andy Greene, the Devils’ ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel briefly benched, Sabres lose to Hurricanes

BUFFALO – Jack Eichel was seething. Ten minutes after Thursday’s ugly 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the second-year Sabres star hadn’t calmed down.

Not only had the Sabres just lost their third straight game, coach Dan Bylsma yanked Eichel, the face of the franchise, off the team’s power play for Matt Moulson just minutes into the game.

Eichel, 20, didn’t want to discuss the brief benching, which ended when the Sabres enjoyed a late ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Marcus Foligno showcasing toughness

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Marcus Foligno has a simple explanation why he fixed his hair at a bizarre time – during a heavyweight scrap against Shawn Thornton, the NHL’s dean of fighters – in Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers.

“Just try to get readjusted and get ready for round two,” a smiling Foligno said Thursday prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes inside KeyBank Center.

The bout was a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno on fixing hair mid-fight: ‘I’m sure he had a laugh’

“Just try to get readjusted and get ready for round two of the first fight,” a smiling Foligno said this morning inside KeyBank Center.

The bout was a fight lover’s dream, the 6-foot-3, ... Read the full article

Sabres must start ’emotionally attached’ against Hurricanes tonight

BUFFALO – For the past few weeks, the Sabres have rarely broken a disturbing trend of starting slowly and falling behind.

Some nights, they’ve roared back to win. Other nights, however, their penchant for stumbling out of the gate bites them.

In Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss in Florida, the Sabres trailed 2-0 before zooming back to take a late 3-2 lead.

What must the Sabres change early tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes?

“We need to ... Read the full article

Torrid stretch puts Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen in elite company

BUFFALO – The significance of defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen’s recent exploits shouldn’t be overshadowed by the Sabres’ disappointing season.

In the near future, if Ristolainen becomes an NHL All-Star or garners serious Norris Trophy consideration, remember the torrid run he is enjoying entering tonight’s tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Ristolainen has three goals, two overtime winners and 14 points while averaging a whopping 27 minutes, 41 seconds of ice time over the last ... Read the full article

Youngstown’s Joe Cecconi competing for spot on Team USA

BUFFALO – A few years ago, as Youngstown’s Joe Cecconi began developing into a notable defense prospect, the youngster possessed some offensive flair in his game.

Then the 6-foot-2, 218-pound Cecconi started evolving. Sure, he moves well and has a strong shot. But the University of Michigan sophomore understands he’s at his best utilizing his big frame and smarts.

That means he has morphed into a defensive defenseman.

“We love the size, and we know ... Read the full article

South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy excited for fresh start with Amerks

ROCHESTER – After a difficult few months in Sweden, South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy was excited to return home and resume his career in his hometown organization.

Just days after Kennedy and Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League mutually parted ways last week, the Rochester Americans, the Buffalo Sabres’ top affiliate, quickly signed the forward to an AHL contract.

Kennedy, 30, was waiting at a hotel Saturday before the Amerks’ game against the St. John’s ... Read the full article