Buffalo News

'Hayden is on a two-way deal and could be in line to go to Rochester (assuming he clears waivers). But he's had some good moments in camp. He's strong along the boards, dependable in his own zone and can do things with the puck, like when he turned a Columbus defenseman inside-out and fed Arttu Ruotsalainen in front for a goal in Buffalo's preseason opener. And he can give the … [Read more...] about For Sabres like John Hayden, preseason finale is last chance to crack opening roster

'"It's an unbelievable experience to have as a player and I'm just happy to be a part of it again," Girgensons said after practice Friday in KeyBank Center. "Just being in an (Olympic) Village with all the other athletes, I think that was the coolest part about it. Just being surrounded by other world-class athletes and having a chat with other countries' and your own country's … [Read more...] about Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons named one of Latvia’s first three Olympians

'Certainly, working with Jason Karmanos again was a big part of it. You know, he and I have established a really good working relationship over the last six years. I was excited to work with him, and with Kevin as well, who I had heard nothing but really good things about. In addition to all of that, you know, I saw it as a really unique opportunity to try to help be part of … [Read more...] about Q&A: Sam Ventura, the man in charge of the Sabres’ analytics department

'Quinn, a 20-year-old winger, had his best performance of training camp Tuesday in Pittsburgh, assisting on Murray's first-period goal and scoring during the nine-round shootout after receiving 11:56 of ice time between regulation and overtime. Murray, a 6-foot-5 winger, was the Sabres' best player at the Prospects Challenge and performed well at training camp, but he was … [Read more...] about Sabres assign forwards Jack Quinn, Brett Murray to Rochester

'We've learned from camp that Mittelstadt is clearly established as the No. 1 center with Eichel's looming departure, and his linemates appear to be Skinner and Hinostroza. Cozens is sort of where Mittelstadt was two years ago, trying to get his footing in the NHL at both ends of the ice, and has had a pedestrian camp even though he's the team's scoring leader with four points … [Read more...] about With one game left in preseason, where does Sabres’ roster stand?

'Tokarski, a 32-year-old who went nearly four years between NHL games, stopped 15 of 16 shots in the Sabres’ 5-4 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night. Through three preseason appearances, Tokarski has compiled a .965 save percentage, allowing only two goals on 37 shots.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Dustin Tokarski standing tall in Sabres’ goalie competition

'Luukkonen lost both of his starts in the preseason, posting a 5.08 goals against average and .836 save percentage. He had one solid period in each game, stopping all 18 shots he faced in the first period of a 6-2 loss to Detroit and all nine shots against him in the third period of Monday's 5-3 loss to Columbus in KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: After two games in NHL camp, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen sent to Rochester

'It was a formidable challenge for Luukkonen against a Columbus forward corps that included Voracek, Patrik Laine, Boone Jenner, Gustav Nyquist, Oliver Bjorkstrand as well as No. 1 defenseman Zach Werenski. He made several decent saves, and was particularly sharp with his glove hand, but dealt with a sea of open players in the Sabres' defensive zone.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Not much help for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as Sabres fall to Blue Jackets

'“He’s got three big tickets,” said Sabres defenseman Ethan Prow, who played with Peterka in Munich last season. “It’s his speed, for one. He uses it well and when he takes guys wide, he can really burn people with his speed. But then the other two are his hands and shot. I think he has all three. You can see his great shot and it showed up in Munich when we were on the power … [Read more...] about German winger J-J Peterka showing Sabres he’s ‘something special’

'"Most importantly, we're focused on Jack's health," Bettman said Monday in an interview with Jeff Marek on Sportsnet 590 The Fan in Toronto. " ... We're pretty up to speed on in terms of what's going on and there's a legitimate disagreement among doctors as to what the course of treatment would be best, both in the short term and the long term. And that's something that … [Read more...] about NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Sabres/Eichel dispute: ‘It’s a terrible situation’

'A fifth-round draft choice in 2016, Jonsson-Fjallby has a two-year contract that carries a $750,000 cap hit if he's on the Sabres' roster, but he will be paid $175,000 if he joins the Rochester Americans.' … [Read more...] about Sabres claim winger Axel Jonsson-Fjallby off waivers from Washington

'Yes, he'll get suspended by the Sabres. But that might happen anyway when the season starts and Eichel isn't available to play because he has rejected the club's medical advice. Yes, he'll lose his salary in that timeframe and he'll be paying for a procedure to fix an injury that came during a game and not from some off-ice mishap. But if he is so sure this is the procedure … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Jack Eichel should assume some risk and go have his surgery

'Each player in that group was signed by the organization to an American Hockey League contract and they will join the Rochester Americans, who begin training camp practices Tuesday.' … [Read more...] about Sabres release 12, will join Amerks

'Consistency has eluded Thompson, though. It wasn’t until Don Granato was leading the Sabres’ bench in the final weeks of last season that the 23-year-old showed he may be close to carving out a full-time role in Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Tage Thompson shows finesse, nets power-play goal for Sabres

'"It’s just being a pro. I think you can’t take days off," Hinostroza said Friday. "Whether it’s a practice day or a game day, you got to look at it as an opportunity to get better. I’m a little bit older now, so I’ve seen it a bit where you might take a few practice days for granted here and there, and the next game you don’t feel as good and you end up getting beat pretty … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Summer signee Vinnie Hinostroza looks for his niche with Sabres