Olean Times Herald

'“He competes for the right reason being in a team sport,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Tuesday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “He brings guys in with him, he drags people into the fight, per se, which is a real indicator of his leadership and leadership ability going forward.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Dylan Cozens becoming star between JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn

'Cozens, 21, scored in last Monday’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning before adding two more goals in Wednesday’s 5-4 shootout road win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Yukon native followed up by recording one goal and two assists in Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He closed the week by adding three more assists in Sunday’s 6-3 win over the San Jose … [Read more...] about Torrid week earns Sabres’ Dylan Cozens NHL’s Second Star honors

'“We stayed out of the box and there weren’t calls, which was a huge help,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “That’s been a problem. It certainly was (last week) with Tampa and then in Detroit and against Colorado. So the last three games have been real penalty issues. We stayed out of that through the third period.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres beat Sharks, get more scoring from ‘Kid Line’: ‘A lot of chemistry’

'“That’s an area that he’s getting better at, just recognizing play without the puck, recognizing potential danger the other way toward our net,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “It’s still a work in progress, but very good sign the other night to see him recognize that and jump to get his job done."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ JJ Peterka evolving, becoming one of NHL’s best rookies

'In Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center, it was awful, allowing three goals in six attempts to the NHL’s top power play, including two in a span of 49 seconds in the second period.' … [Read more...] about Lack of discipline burns Sabres in loss to Avalanche: ‘Some bad penalties’

'That Krebs, 21, had been bumped out of the lineup wasn’t surprising. He sat out two games in late October when the Sabres briefly began rotating forwards. He had mustered zero goals and just three assists in 17 outings this season entering Thursday’s game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Don Granato believes scratches can help Peyton Krebs

'“I always liked his game,” said Okposo, whose Sabres play a road game on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings before hosting Colorado on Thursday. “You get different opportunities in your career, and that’s what this game is about. It’s a lot about timing. You just need someone to believe in you at a certain point, and then you got to take advantage of your opportunity."' … [Read more...] about Tyson Jost finding home with Sabres: ‘He brings an awful lot’

'“It’s a bad play,” Okposo said following Tuesday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “… He’s obviously a terrific player but he’s dirty as well. He just is. You know what you’re going to get out there and he gets (ticked) off sometimes and he takes some liberties at times. We’ll see those guys again, but, yeah, we’re obviously upset. I mean, they say he gets hit into there, that’s … [Read more...] about Sabres captain Kyle Okposo on Nikita Kucherov: ‘A terrific player but he’s dirty’

'Then the Sabres lowered their guard. They gave the stacked Lightning, which has reached three consecutive Stanley Cup finals, extra time and space. It cost them the game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres implode late, fall to Lightning in OT: ‘We backed off’

'“When that dream comes to an end because a team doesn’t want to sign you, there’s a little motivation to prove them wrong, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job at it,” Hagel said prior to recording a goal and an assist in Monday’s 6-5 win over the Sabres at KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Former Buffalo prospect Brandon Hagel thriving with Lightning

'In the teams’ last meeting Nov. 5 in Tampa Bay – Dahlin and Samuelsson were both injured and missed the game – Kucherov enjoyed a dominant four-point night, assisting on the tying and go-ahead goals before his empty-netter sealed a 5-3 win.' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson embrace role as Sabres’ shutdown defenders

'Sheahan, who played two games for the Sabres this season, likely has another contract lined up, possibly in Europe.' … [Read more...] about Sabres place veteran Riley Sheahan on unconditional waivers

'Just how good are the Devils, the NHL’s biggest surprise through first quarter of the campaign? Friday’s 3-1 win over the Sabres before a crowd of 16,727 fans at KeyBank Center improved them to 17-4-0. They’re 9-1-0 on the road.' … [Read more...] about Sabres learn firsthand how good Devils have become: ‘A lot of swagger’

'“Just some wear and tear I’ve been dealing with and had to give it some time to calm down,” Okposo said prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss at KeyBank Center. “But feeling better, ramped it up over the past few days.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Kyle Okposo returns from injury; Tyson Jost providing depth

'“He’s just making plays all over the ice,” Cozens said following the game. “… He just creates so many shots for himself. I know he was getting frustrated there when they weren’t going in and he was getting all those chances. I just told him to stick with it, they’re going to come and when they come, they’re going to keep coming.' … [Read more...] about Sabres rookie Jack Quinn developing confidence, starting to score goals