Buffalo News

'"I like where my game is at right now," Thompson said Saturday in LECOM HarborCenter before the Sabres left for their Super Sunday matinee in Montreal. "Obviously, you never want to be satisfied. There's always more to do and continuing to try to get better and round out my game and continue to get that next step and that next level. Chances are coming and they're going to go … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Even without goals, Tage Thompson keeps producing points

'Vegas isn't going to keep Eichel out until early May because a) he's almost ready to play now, b) he's only played 21 games in the last 23 months and needs work, and c) he needs to assimilate into a new team, unlike Kucherov's seamless return to a club he's been with for a decade.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Vegas could need Stone-cold cap gymnastics to get Jack Eichel on roster

'While people across hockey are captivated by Dahlin’s wizardry with the puck, Jokiharju has an understated approach to the position. He’s rarely the one to carry the puck across the opponent’s blue line and doesn’t take significant risks. Jokiharju relieves pressure on the breakout with a smart first pass and his preference to play conservatively complements the way Dahlin … [Read more...] about Understated and overlooked, Henri Jokiharju taking big steps on defense for Sabres

'"That’s exciting to see Casey in a regular jersey and moving around," Granato said. "The end of practices a couple weeks ago, he was exhausted. Now, I look over your shoulder and he’s out there still going. His posture is way better. He wasn’t slouched over or anything like that. So, he’s going in the right direction based on all of that, and I think his recovery is faster, as … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Casey Mittelstadt cleared for contact, inching closer to a return

'The Sabres (14-24-8) failed to win consecutive games at home for the first time in October and are winless in three straight. They're 2-11-3 in their last 16 games at KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Rasmus Dahlin scores, celebrates, but Sabres fall apart in OT loss

'The Sabres have lost too many multi-goal leads to count this season. They've lost nine times when leading after two periods (10-3-6). No one else in the league has lost more than six in such spots.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: There’s no reason for Sabres to have fear in their game. Just go play.

'Luukkonen hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury Jan. 11, and although his talent tantalized in nine NHL appearances this season, coach Don Granato didn’t feel comfortable turning the starting job over to a prospect who has missed so much time, especially with how poorly the Sabres have played some nights.' … [Read more...] about UPL arrives in Rochester as fellow Sabres prospects continue to excel with Amerks

'"I knew 300 has kind of been out there for a while," Anderson said after practice Wednesday in KeyBank Center. "I think it’s just staying in the moment, kind of letting the numbers take care of themselves. I think Richter’s the next American one, right, at 301? You've got to set goals for yourself to kind of keep yourself motivated and keep pushing yourself. That’s definitely … [Read more...] about Sabres goalie Craig Anderson staying in the moment but the future is interesting

'"Attack every day and just keep trying to get better every day, even if it's just a little bit one day," he said. "There's definitely going to be peaks and valleys and I've talked about that a lot with the trainers and the medical staff. I think that's the hardest part for me, I'm not a very patient person, any way shape or form. But just keep coming to the rink. It's nice to … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Casey Mittelstadt is again traveling on Recovery Road

'There are lots of questions about the organization's strength and conditioning program and, ultimately, about its medical staff. There are injuries big and small, players who take a long time to rehab and return or get reinjured. It's not a good look. And it needs a hard look.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Kevyn Adams knows Sabres need full study of their injury woes

'Coach Don Granato had yet to consult with goalie coach Mike Bales or the medical staff following practice Tuesday but noted that Luukkonen felt good after the first skate. But while it was Luukkonen’s first practice, he has been working in Rochester with goalie development coach Seamus Kotyk. Those sessions ensured that Luukkonen was physically ready for this next step.' … [Read more...] about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s looming return will strengthen Sabres’ depth in goal

'Quinn suffered a lower-body injury just as he had a chance to carve out a full-time role in Buffalo and will be out for approximately another month. The 20-year-old appeared to have mastered the American Hockey League, totaling 18 goals and 35 points in 24 games. He’s earned an extended NHL audition, but this won’t occur until he’s back in the lineup. We’ll see if he’s ready … [Read more...] about Inside the Sabres: 10 questions for the season’s second half

'A big issue, of course, is how Vegas is going to fit Eichel's $10 million cap hit under its $81.5 million cap. A popular player like Smith could be imminently on the chopping block. It seems unreasonable to think Vegas will make Eichel wait until the cap-less playoffs begin in May so it can simply put him in the lineup like Tampa Bay did last year with Nikita Kucherov.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Anticipation is growing as Vegas hopes to hit its Jack-pot with Eichel

'Dahlin's parents, brother, sister and girlfriend all attended the game. The family will be returning to Sweden on Sunday. Dahlin will go back to Buffalo to resume the Sabres' season Thursday against Columbus in KeyBank Center and he'll have a lot of memories to take with him.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With an eye to the future, Rasmus Dahlin puts on a good show in Vegas

'"After the second Seattle game, I kind of looked at myself in the mirror," Dahlin said when asked about it by The Buffalo News during All-Star Media Day on nFriday in the Waldorf Astoria hotel. "And I really realized what I had to do. I'm on a run right right now. But there's a long, long way left and I want to get even better."' … [Read more...] about It’s been a tough climb to All-Star for Rasmus Dahlin after being a No. 1 overall pick