Buffalo News

'"Found out about 'Staalsie' right before practice and just got off the ice to go wish him well," said Okposo. "He's a character guy. He's a really good person. He's a good man. He's had a heck of a career to date. And he's gonna continue to play well, so wish him nothing but the best."' … [Read more...] about In dealing Eric Staal to Habs, Kevyn Adams makes first big pre-deadline move

'The team and NHL does not disclose the nature of someone's trip to Covid protocol, but the quick return of the Sabres' coaches is indicative of a false positive test that they produced or was produced by a close contact.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Granato, Ellis clear Covid protocol and will return to bench Saturday

'“My philosophy is that you just take everything head on, you do your best, you be honest, you put your head down and do the work,” Adams said Thursday evening.” Some days have been extremely challenging, some days have just been challenging. So, it’s all part of it.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ latest calamity forces GM Kevyn Adams to coach 16th consecutive loss

'The Sabres had only five shots on goal in the second period and continued to make mistakes in their defensive zone.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres winless streak reaches 16 with 4-0 loss to Penguins

'Across the past two games, the Sabres have allowed 82 shots on goal, including 42 in their first game of a back-to-back against the Penguins.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres’ attempt to push the pace leading to mistakes on defense

'Even the consecutive tank seasons from 2013-15 managed to avoid such a spell of futility.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres set franchise record with 15-game winless streak

'“First of all, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can here,” said Luukkonen, a second-round pick in 2017. “It has been a great experience to be here. We have a lot of great players here, all the coaching staff is really good. There’s a lot to learn from them, and, of course, seeing Linus back on the ice, there’s a lot to learn from him, too. So, I will try to focus on those … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s taxi squad assignment is intro to life as an NHLer

'“It hasn’t been good enough,” Staal lamented Thursday. “I haven’t been good enough.”' … [Read more...] about As trade deadline approaches, Sabres’ Eric Staal focusing on ‘what I can control’

'The Sabres’ top three goalies at the start of this season won’t be available to Granato on Wednesday: Hutton, Ullmark and Jonas Johansson, who was traded to Colorado in exchange for a sixth-round draft choice. Another loss would make the Sabres’ winless streak the longest in the NHL since the Phoenix Coyotes dropped 15 games in a row from Feb. 21 to March 21, 2004.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Linus Ullmark returns to practice; Dustin Tokarski to start Wednesday

'Want a gruesome comparison? There are nine teams in the league with 20+ wins so far and three others are at 19.' … [Read more...] about Sabres through 30 games: As you would figure, this season is one of the worst

'Interim coach Don Granato had no update on Hutton's status after the game in Madison Square Garden, and said none would come until Tuesday at the earliest. But there was an unmistakably grim manner in Granato's lack of information. Hutton was escorted from the ice, not putting any weight on the leg.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Hutton injury exacerbates goaltending crisis as Sabres’ streak hits 14

'Buffalo gave up three second-period goals and fell behind 3-1 through 40 minutes. Entering the game with an 0-17-1 record when trailing through two periods, a comeback didn't seem in the offing, but the Sabres battled back to tie on goals by Dylan Cozens at 1:09 of the third and Jeff Skinner at 4:22.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres winless streak hits 14 after 5-3 loss to Rangers

'“Going back to MSG, never would have guessed in a million years that the first time I go back there is coaching another team and the first game I’m coaching as well,” said Girardi, 36. “It’s definitely something I didn’t see coming and didn’t really realize it until the game (against Boston) got canceled the other day. It’s definitely going to be a pretty surreal atmosphere … [Read more...] about Dan Girardi’s coaching a ‘fresh perspective’ for Sabres’ struggling defensemen

'"At this point, we’re planning on him joining us on the road trip, which is great news," said interim coach Don Granato. "We need to integrate him into practice at some point. That’s the next step here. At that point, we can evaluate a potential return, so that’s all good news with Linus."' … [Read more...] about Goalie Linus Ullmark to join Sabres on three-city, four-game road trip

'Any hire likely won’t be around to help Adams navigate the April 12 trade deadline. Sources say Adams’ focus is on unloading expiring contracts, not “hockey trades” that will include the swap of significant NHL players. He will be able to add prospects and/or draft picks from playoff contenders in exchange for Taylor Hall, Eric Staal and Brandon Montour. Tobias Rieder and … [Read more...] about Trade deadline the first step in Sabres GM Kevyn Adams’ plan to evaluate roster