Buffalo News

'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

'"I have complete confidence in the Pegulas' ownership of the Sabres," Bettman said. "Sometimes, franchises get to a place where lots of things aren't working the way that they had hoped. But I have no reason to doubt their commitment to the Sabres or to Buffalo."' … [Read more...] about All-Star Notebook: Gary Bettman mostly mum on Sabres’ attendance woes

'Dahlin has seven goals and 28 points in 44 games this season while averaging 23:46 of ice time a night, more than two minutes a game above last season's career high of 21:36. Especially in the past two months, he's drawn big minutes and big praise from coach Don Granato.' … [Read more...] about NHL All-Stars set to put on a big show in Vegas, both inside and outside the arena

'The Amerks have four games over the next week, starting with home games Wednesday and Friday against the Charlotte Checkers, before the Sabres return to action on Feb. 10 against Columbus. Krebs, who had his first three NHL goals during an 11-game stint with the Sabres, missed time last month due to Covid-19, and Samuelsson's season got a late start due to an ankle injury … [Read more...] about With Sabres heading into break, Krebs and Samuelsson join restocked Amerks

'A real concern is when players are having off nights. Tuesday's game was the fifth time in the club's last six games that it lost by three goals or more in regulation. When this team goes haywire, especially early in a game, it rarely emerges from the fog.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: As they hit All-Star break, Sabres look like a club desperate for R&R

'This wasn’t the response coach Don Granato wanted after the Sabres’ resilient showing Sunday in Colorado. They were only outshot 35-32, but Vegas scored within the first two minutes of each period. Buffalo (14-24-7) won three of its previous six games but sits 27th overall in the NHL at the break.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Alex Tuch shines in return to Vegas, but Sabres outplayed in loss

'Yep, Jeanneret revealed he was among the 11 members of the traveling party ensnared by the initially positive Covid-19 tests that were revealed Saturday and kept three players and assistant coach Matt Ellis out of the Sabres' win over the Coyotes.' … [Read more...] about The stories flow as Rick Jeanneret mingles with fans and alums at Sabres Road Crew