Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Former Sabres star Daniel Briere enjoying retirement

BUFFALO – Among the long-retired NHL talent and beer leaguers skating in the Corporate Challenge tournament the Sabres recently hosted, an undersized, boyish-looking 38-year-old with some slick moves and soft hands stood out.

The scene, in fact, looked pretty odd: former co-captain Daniel Briere, on the same ice he had once starred for the Sabres, playing in what amounted to an alumni game with some locals.

Six months after retiring, Briere is enjoying ... Read the full article

Trade from Sabres gives Mike Weber special opportunity with Capitals

BUFFALO – At times over a rough two-year stretch, as Mike Weber accumulated the NHL’s worst plus-minus rating, it appeared the ex-Sabres defenseman might never recapture his old form.

The passionate Weber, 28, often became the poster boy for the Sabres’ struggles during their run as the NHL’s laughingstock.

But Weber, not coincidentally, morphed back into his old self on the revamped Sabres this season.

Defensemen, especially reliable depth ones with Weber’s grit and ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Mike Weber to Capitals

BUFFALO – The Sabres traded gritty defenseman Mike Weber, the club’s longest-tenured player and a heart-and-soul-presence, to the Washington Capitals tonight for a third-round draft pick in 2017.

“It’s difficult to trade someone that has been a part of the organization for 10 years, but I think this is a good opportunity for the player and for our organization,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement. “I would like to thank Mike ... Read the full article

Mike Weber prepared for possible end of long Sabres career

BUFFALO – Almost 10 years later, gritty Sabres defenseman Mike Weber’s first trip to the city he likes to say has become “home” is still vivid.

Shortly after getting drafted 57^th overall on June 24, 2006, the Pittsburgh native hopped in his 1996 Chevy Lumina – he has since upgraded – and drove to the Pepsi Center in Amherst for his first development camp.

“It barely got here,” Weber recalled Monday inside the First ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cal O’Reilly on brother Ryan’s injury: ‘He was mad’

BUFFALO – If the Sabres recalled the hottest player from Rochester, goalie Linus Ullmark, not forward Cal O’Reilly, would be up right now, coach Dan Bylsma joked.

Ullmark, who played 19 NHL games earlier this season, dazzled over the weekend, stopping 94 of 97 shots in two wins, including 51 in Saturday’s 6-2 win in Syracuse.

“But we need a forward, not a goalie,” Bylsma said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.... Read the full article

Sabres know Ryan O’Reilly’s loss will hurt

BUFFALO – For about 20 minutes, the Sabres responded to the loss of No. 1 center Ryan O’Reilly, their most versatile and important asset, by playing one of their best first periods in weeks.

But by the second period of Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, O’Reilly’s absence became very evident as the Sabres began chasing the game and fell behind.

“He’s your No. 1 guy, and that’s something … you can’t ... Read the full article

Justin Bailey confident in return to Sabres

BUFFALO – At a few points in the first period of the Sabres’ 4-3 loss Sunday afternoon, rookie winger Justin Bailey’s first NHL goal felt imminent.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Bailey, thanks his size and speed, kept generating scoring chances around Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in his fifth NHL game.

While the Williamsville native didn’t score in 11 minutes, 55 seconds of action, he finished the contest confident he’ll net that elusive first goal ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly out against Penguins; Justin Bailey up from Amerks

BUFFALO – Center Ryan O’Reilly, the Sabres’ leading scorer and most versatile player, will miss this afternoon’s home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, coach Dan Bylsma said.

Update: Bylsma said following the Sabres’ 4-3 loss O’Reilly will miss three to four weeks. O’Reilly was sporting a boot on his right leg after the game.

To replace O’Reilly, the team’s only NHL All-Star, the Sabre recalled rookie winger Justin Bailey from the Rochester Americans this ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel, rest of Sabres have become close-knit group

BUFFALO – Within minutes Friday, screen grabs of Robin Lehner’s fierce eyes – wide and hellbent on sending a message – started spreading all over the Internet after the goalie’s emphatic response to an ugly hit on Sabres teammate Zach Bogosian.

“That should be one of those big heads and make it for the fans to wear,” coach Dan Bylsma joked Saturday after the Sabres prepared for this afternoon’s tilt against superstar Sidney Crosby and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian OK; Cody Franson out

BUFFALO – Within minutes Friday, screen grabs of Robin Lehner’s fierce eyes – wide and hellbent on sending a message – had emerged all over the Internet after the Sabres goalie’s emphatic response to an ugly hit on teammate Zach Bogosian.

“That should be one of those big heads and make it for the fans to wear,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma joked this afternoon following practice inside HarborCenter.

Actually, there’s already something for fans to ... Read the full article