Olean Times Herald

'The Sabres’ decision to assign Savoie, the ninth overall pick in 2022, to junior after skating short minutes in one game raised some eyebrows. Granato said they gave “lots of thought to” awarding the forward a longer look. But the Sabres have entered a win-now phase this season, meaning on-the-job training can work against their best interests.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hope brief NHL experience will help prospect Matt Savoie in junior

'“I understand it’s a big thing, it’s a big deal,” Okposo said following Monday’s practice. “It’s OK to get recognized, and I’m going to try to enjoy it as much as I can. But it’s about the game, it’s a good team coming in here, we want to play extremely well.' … [Read more...] about Captain Kyle Okposo helped transform Sabres on way to 1,000 NHL games

'“I mentioned from the outset, he’s day to day so the issue he’s dealing with could have resolved in, say, 48 hours,” Granato said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “… He is waiting for the results so he has full mobility and full motion.”' … [Read more...] about Injured Alex Tuch could play this week; Sabres send prospect to Amerks

'“We used our skill to create stuff but we didn’t get the rebounds, we didn’t get to the net front, we didn’t get the gritty stuff,” Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said. “So our skill was there, not our work.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres display skill, not enough work, in loss; Peyton Krebs scratched

'As a teenager whose rights are owned by a Canadian Hockey League team, Savoie can’t play regularly in the AHL until his junior season ends. The Sabres tried to get him an exemption from the Western Hockey League because he played parts of four seasons with the Winnipeg Ice. His first year, however, he was loaned to the Ice.' … [Read more...] about Sabres send prospect Matt Savoie back to junior team

'Levi, 21, was a difference-maker Friday, keeping the Sabres in the game as the Wild outplayed them early. As they clung to a one-goal lead with about 2:40 left in the third period, the rookie made a massive save, a point-blank stop on Wild star Kirill Kaprizov.' … [Read more...] about Goalie Devon Levi stars in Sabres’ tight win over Wild: ‘A hell of a gut-check’

'“He’s dealing with some soreness that we’re hoping resolves sooner than later,” Sabres coach Don Granato said prior to the game. “It’s gotten better.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Injured Alex Tuch misses game; Buffalo could make roster move

'“I was having fun, man,” Levi said following Thursday’s practice. “It was just great to be back into the game. Playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto, it’s definitely a dream to able to be in that building."' … [Read more...] about Sabres goalie Devon Levi adjusting to NHL, happy to share net

'Coach Don Granato said the Sabres are “leaning toward using” the youngster this weekend. They also play a road game Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Alex Tuch injured; Matt Savoie could make NHL debut this weekend

'“He was awesome, to the point that he finished the game with Dahlin, and I think Dahlin enjoyed having him as a partner,” Granato said.' … [Read more...] about Rookie Ryan Johnson impresses Sabres, earns big minutes with Rasmus Dahlin

'Cozens, 22, also sported protection over his nose, which likely means it’s broken, and a black left eye after his ill-advised fight with Garnet Hathaway, one of the NHL’s top bruisers.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Dylan Cozens practices after ill-advised fight, says he learned lesson

'“There’s no need for that type of a grind and the benefit, quite honestly, would be less because he’s had the experience it,” Granato said of Levi. “Now, I think he’s ready for it need be if we were down and had to deal with injuries, but I think UPL has been good. Devon was good the other night.' … [Read more...] about With Devon Levi healthy, Sabres will likely rotate goalies

'“It’s exciting,” Savoie said of returning to Buffalo. “It’s been a dream of mine to play in the NHL since, I mean, as long as I can remember. So to be back up here and practicing and back involved with the big club, it’s pretty special."' … [Read more...] about After strong stint with Rochester, Matt Savoie rejoins Sabres, could play soon; Dylan Cozens close to returning

'The Sabres moved the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Johnson around, giving him action beside different defenders, including Rasmus Dahlin and Erik Johnson.' … [Read more...] about After surprise recall, Sabres rookie Ryan Johnson stands out in win in Toronto

'Fresh off a breakout 36-goal campaign, Tuch hadn’t been his normal self for three weeks, and his struggles has been wearing on him. Having scored one goal in 11 games entering the night, he rarely looked like the first-line power forward he has developed into during his two years in Buffalo. That’s why Saturday’s performance in Scotiabank Arena was so significant.' … [Read more...] about Alex Tuch breaks loose late in Sabres’ win over Maple Leafs; Dylan Cozens misses game with injury