Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

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

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson knows his time in Buffalo could be ending

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Chad Johnson learned years ago he needed to embrace the nomadic lifestyle that often accompanies a career as a backup.

So at each of his five NHL stops, Johnson, 29, has tried to make the best of what can be a difficult situation by exploring his new city, meeting its people and finding the best local eateries.

“That’s the only way you can really deal with getting traded all the time, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evander Kane set to return after benching

BUFFALO – As expected, Sabres winger Evander Kane, who earned a one-game benching for oversleeping and missing practice after partying in Toronto, will return for Friday’s road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I’m going to make sure that this doesn’t happen again (and) I’m not in the same situation because it’s not a trend I want to be a part of,” Kane said this afternoon following practice. “For me, it’s definitely a lesson. I ... Read the full article

Jamie McGinn on staying with Sabres: ‘It has to work for both sides’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel kept smiling and glancing over trying to get Jamie McGinn’s attention inside the dressing room as he praised his buddy earlier this week.

Eventually, the veteran winger caught on, walked over to the rookie’s media scrum and joined the interview by sticking his water bottle into the mix of microphones and recorders.

In just six months as teammates, Eichel, 19, and McGinn, 27, have grown close.

“He’s full ... Read the full article