WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Free Agency Edition
Robin Lehner played only 21 games this season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Robin Lehner has undergone successful season-ending surgery on his right ankle, the club announced this afternoon.
Lehner, 24, suffered a high ankle sprain opening night and recently jammed the tender ankle into the post twice in a week. The Swede hasn’t played since March 16.
Sabres coach Dan Bylsma recently said Lehner has been resting and rehabbing the ankle. Lehner was supposed to see the team doctors on Saturday, but the ... Read the full article
Chad Johnson made 42 saves Tuesday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – What was shaping up to be the Buffalo Sabres’ most impressive and unlikely win this season quickly turned into a nightmare Tuesday and ended with another loss to the Penguins.
After going up 3-0 before the first period ended inside a stunned Consol Energy Center, the Sabres completely imploded during a disastrous second, allowing four goals, including two late short-handed scores during the same power play.
“I thought we were feeling good, then ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe has established himself with the Sabres this season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe understands how valuable the late-season NHL experience rookies Hudson Fasching and Casey Nelson have been gaining will be for their development.
Two years ago, McCabe, 22, left the University of Wisconsin following his junior year. McCabe loved college and wanted to stay with the Badgers. Still, as a former second-round pick ready for pro hockey, he knew he needed to join the Sabres.
“It made too much sense ... Read the full article
Ryan O’Reilly (90) will play left wing tonight. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – With Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane sidelined for tonight’s tilt against the Penguins, coach Dan Bylsma will shuffle his lines, moving No. 1 center Ryan O’Reilly to the left wing beside pivot Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart.
The Sabres’ new “super line” has 62 total goals this season. No one else in the lineup has more than 10.
Bylsma said forward Cal O’Reilly, a healthy scratch the last two games, will return. ... Read the full article
Chad Johnson has won seven of his last eight starts. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Having traveled around the NHL in a secondary role for years, Sabres goalie Chad Johnson usually gets pegged as a career backup.
Johnson, after all, is just months away from turning 30 years old. Goalies usually grab the No. 1 job by their mid-20s. The Calgary native has played for five teams, including four in the last three years. He had never played more than 27 games in a season before this year.... Read the full article
Hudson Fasching scored 8:37 into his NHL debut. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Prior to his NHL debut Saturday afternoon, Sabres winger Hudson Fasching told his family and friends he wouldn’t know what to do if he scored a goal in his first game.
The affable Fasching, who always seems to be bursting with energy, joked he might “blackout on adrenaline.”
“That was almost the case,” a smiling Fasching said after scoring a nifty goal 8:37 into the Sabres’ exciting 3-2 comeback win against the Winnipeg ... Read the full article
Former Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers (57) skates past Paul Byron last season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Drew Stafford called it a “healthy separation.” The Winnipeg Jets winger said he has no ill will toward anyone here. He enjoyed his nine-year Sabres career.
As a struggling veteran months away from free agency last year, Stafford knew the rebuilding Sabres would trade him. Sure enough, Stafford, 30, was dealt with defenseman Tyler Myers on Feb. 11, 2015 in the blockbuster that brought defenseman Zach Bogosian and winger Evander Kane to the ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford spent nine seasons with the Sabres. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Drew Stafford called it a “healthy separation.” The Winnipeg Jets winger said he has no ill will toward anyone here. He enjoyed his nine-year Sabres career.
As a struggling veteran months away from free agency last year, Stafford knew the rebuilding Sabres would trade him. Sure enough, Stafford, 30, was dealt Feb. 11, 2015 in the blockbuster that brought defenseman Zach Bogosian and winger Evander Kane to the Sabres.
“I was kind of ... Read the full article
Sabres defenseman Casey Nelson spent three years in college. ©2016, Andy Visockis, Minnesota State Athletics
BUFFALO – Barely two years ago, Casey Nelson wasn’t ready for NCAA hockey. After some notable gaffes early in his freshman season, the newest Sabres defenseman got yanked from the lineup.
“His first couple games in college hockey were tough,” said Mike Hastings, who coached Nelson three seasons at Minnesota State University.
Nelson, 23, sat out a chunk of his first season before finally earning regular duty late in the year.
“I kind of got ... Read the full article
Hudson Fasching made an appearance at the First Niagara Center in 2012 at the All-American Prospects Game. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Somewhere in Minnesota earlier today, the Fasching family was probably anxiously waiting for Sabres rookie Hudson Fasching to phone home with some special news.
“I think they’re kind of ready if they get the call,” Fasching said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.
Minutes after Fasching spoke, following a chat with Sabres coach Dan Bylsma, he likely called his parents to tell them he would be making his NHL debut Saturday afternoon ... Read the full article