Buffalo News

'No matter the level or league, Benson has shown throughout his young career that he can overcome youth and size through will, courage and talent. He succeeded as a 13-year-old bantam player at Yale Hockey Academy near Vancouver, produced 20 points while appearing in all 24 of the Ice’s games as an underage player in the bubble and made his NHL debut in KeyBank Center with the … [Read more...] about How Zach Benson has proved people wrong throughout his path to the Sabres

'Savoie is not eligible to be assigned to Rochester due to the NHL/CHL agreement with Canadian junior teams, and must play in either the NHL or with the Wenatchee (Wash.) Wild of the Western Hockey League.' … [Read more...] about Sabres loan Matt Savoie to Rochester on conditioning assignment

'The Islanders game was the blueprint. It was the frenetic pace, the passion and the purpose the Sabres have to show every night.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Five games into the season, Sabres find their blueprint and now have to repeat it

''“I stand up here a lot and I back our guys a lot because they’re a very determined group,” said Sabres coach Don Granato, who has guided Buffalo to a 7-3 record against the Islanders since March 2021. “They care. And when we bring things to their attention, they work to do it. They knew tonight they needed to have a better game and they knew exactly how they could have a … [Read more...] about Sabres’ persistence pays off, Jeff Skinner’s goal sparks offense in 3-1 win

'While you could still have top prospects head to the stage for their photo moment to get their jersey and shake NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s hand (there’s no Roger Goodell hug), virtually everyone outside the first round would lose that moment and so would their families.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Dumping the convention-style draft is another terrible idea from a league full of them

'Tage Thompson centered Dylan Cozens and Jordan Greenway; Casey Mittelstadt was between Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner; Victor Olofsson is positioned to draw back into the lineup after skating with Tyson Jost and JJ Peterka; and Peyton Krebs moved back to center with Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons on his wings.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Don Granato overhauls lines ahead of rematch with Islanders

'“Well, I think we’re going to be able to score goals like that most of the year, but until we have a commitment to team defense, we won’t accomplish much,” Johnson, who signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in July, said. “We’re tied 2-2 with a minute left in the second, we give up a breakaway, we give up man odd-man rush and then we give up a 4-on-2 two minutes into the … [Read more...] about Observations: ‘Frustrating’ loss for Sabres shows need for better team defense

'With South Buffalo’s Patrick Kane still a free agent after hip surgery and several other local products in the AHL, Gilbert and Winnipeg forward Alex Iafallo are the only players groomed in Buffalo currently in the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: WNYer Dennis Gilbert keeps the push on for regular spot on Calgary defense

'The VR platform is a tool used by Levi between practices and games. He’d pull on the headset in his dorm room or locker room, then grab his blocker, glove and stick to face a variety of shots from virtual shooters. According to Sense Arena, which was introduced in 2018, its various modules are designed to enhance read-and-react skills and cognitive performance for skaters and … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Devon Levi a brand ambassador for VR training platform, Sense Arena

'“It’s tough,” Jost said of the healthy scratches. “You’re a hockey player, you want to play hockey games. Just try to be a pro about it. I was working a lot on the ice after practice, just on my own and trying to stay in shape. It’s hard when you’re kind of off for a week and a half, two weeks almost. You don’t want to lose that game speed and stuff like that and those … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Tyson Jost makes ‘impact right out of the gate’ in first game

'“Yeah, that was big to get that one, especially after giving up a goal with seven seconds left,” Cozens said. “It would have been frustrating to lose that game, but those are the type of games we need to win. Low-scoring, gritty games and games where we just find a way.”' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres avoid ‘frustrating’ finish, earn first win of the season

'The loss of Vasilevskiy is a dire one for the Lightning, who are going mostly with former Sabres farmhand Jonas Johansson in goal largely because a salary cap crunch gives them little other choice.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres among Atlantic trio targeting the Lightning, and early injuries are trouble for Tampa Bay

'Buffalo’s struggles on offense are easy to pinpoint. The top six forwards have combined for one point (JJ Peterka’s goal against the Rangers) while top defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power have one point apiece. The first line (Skinner, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch) is a combined minus-8 while second-line center Dylan Cozens is minus-4.' … [Read more...] about Sabres looking for their big names to get the offense cranked up as part of four-game homestand

'Granato used a coach’s challenge when Cizikas scored the go-ahead goal with 6:20 left in regulation because the Sabres’ staff determined through video review that the Islanders were offside before defneseman Adam Pelech took the shot from the point. The officials disagreed, and while Buffalo made a final push to try to tie it again, another rally fell short because of … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres ‘sped it up’ but comeback fell short on controversial goal

'Granato has said multiple times prior to the season that the Sabres have turned to a much greater emphasis on winning than they have in the past, when development and experimentation were at the forefront as they built the new corps of their team. That’s not the case now, with expectations high to break their ugly playoff drought both inside and outside the locker room.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: A higher standard, some different methods as Don Granato ups the ante on Sabres