'At this point, it feels inevitable that teams won’t make it to the 56-game threshold. Whereas the Scotia North division has been kept relatively insulated from Covid-19 outbreaks, the other three newly crafted divisions cannot say the same. Scheduling compression was already being felt as recently as a week ago, and that was before another wave of positive tests hit the … [Read more...] about Travis Yost’s Sabre Metrics: Will 56 games happen this season? It doesn’t look good
Archives for February 2021
Sabres thrilled to be back, believe they can grow from COVID adversity
'Those restrictions have increased the importance of practice. Okposo said the Sabres must “grow as organically as we can.” Gathering on the ice offers them that opportunity.' … [Read more...] about Sabres thrilled to be back, believe they can grow from COVID adversity
Sabres make goalie move, send C.J. Smith to Amerks
'Tokarski, 31, was briefly on the taxi squad earlier this season. The veteran played in the Amerks’ season opener Friday, making 31 saves in a 3-2 loss to the Utica Comets.' … [Read more...] about Sabres make goalie move, send C.J. Smith to Amerks
Jack Eichel glad to be back on the ice
'Watching Jack Eichel the past few days, I could tell he enjoyed being out of quarantine and back with his teammates. Eichel has been worried about his teammates since this all came about.' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel glad to be back on the ice
Sabres players: COVID situation is “frustrating,” but won’t focus on negative
'“Of course we would like to be playing and it is a bit frustrating to take two weeks off during your season,” captain Jack Eichel said. “We’ve been off for a while and it felt like maybe we were starting to get our legs under us. It’s 10 games in and all of a sudden we have a two-week break, but I think everyone was pretty prepared at the beginning of the season for things … [Read more...] about Sabres players: COVID situation is “frustrating,” but won’t focus on negative
Sabres happy to get back on the ice
'“Our reaction was it was out of our control, and now we just have to do what we can to keep our bodies in shape and keep ourselves ready,” defenseman Colin Miller said. “It is frustrating, the situation with us, but we’re focused on the games that are coming and we'll go from there.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres happy to get back on the ice
'An awesome challenge' | Eichel looks ahead following reset
'"I think that a situation like this has potential to bring us closer together as a group," Eichel said. "Weirdly enough, it could be a good thing if everyone gets back to 100 percent health and I think we can build off something like this."' … [Read more...] about ‘An awesome challenge’ | Eichel looks ahead following reset
Sabres add Tokarski to taxi squad, assign Smith to Rochester
'Smith tallied 27 points (12+15) in 50 games with Rochester last season. He was with the Amerks for the entirety of their training camp prior to being reassigned to the taxi squad last Monday.' … [Read more...] about Sabres add Tokarski to taxi squad, assign Smith to Rochester
Gov. Cuomo issues announcement regarding arena attendance
'Stadiums and arenas will be limited to 10 percent capacity. Further Guidelines will be based upon the pilot program conducted by the Buffalo Bills for their two playoff games at Bills Stadium in January, which included testing requirements, mandatory face coverings, and socially distanced seating, among other measures.' … [Read more...] about Gov. Cuomo issues announcement regarding arena attendance
Sabres statement regarding Gov. Cuomo's announcement
'We continue to work closely with the New York State and Erie County Departments of Health to ensure a safe, healthy and fan-friendly environment to enjoy Sabres hockey.' … [Read more...] about Sabres statement regarding Gov. Cuomo’s announcement
Thursday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks win first game of the season Wednesday (WHEC-TV) Amerks may be able to host fans soon (WHEC-TV) Amerks top Crunch in overtime for first win of season (Amerks.com) Crunch rally to force overtime, fall to Amerks 4-3 (SyracuseCrunch.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Rochester Coverage
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams: Guidance from NHL led to decision to play Devils
'"The doctors ultimately gave me the comfort (to resume practices) that based on the science and based on the contact tracing and exactly when positive cases had come out or close-contact cases had come out, that they were comfortable,” said Adams, who added that some players and staff are symptomatic. ”The original guidance was that we potentially could have practiced last … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Kevyn Adams: Guidance from NHL led to decision to play Devils
Mike Harrington: Kevyn Adams only looking ahead and Sabres' challenges are daunting
'It looked like a practice, but it felt like training camp in September. You can't suddenly take a full team off the ice for more than a week and expect them to look very good. And remember now, because of this break, this is a team that has only played 10 games in the last 11 months. You're going to have to break out the Rust-Oleum again.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Kevyn Adams only looking ahead and Sabres’ challenges are daunting
Sabres felt comfortable playing Devils before COVID-19 problems began
'“The comfort was that we should move forward and play the game,” Adams said on a Zoom call as the Sabres practiced for the first time in eight days on Tuesday afternoon.' … [Read more...] about Sabres felt comfortable playing Devils before COVID-19 problems began
Sabres notes: Don Granato could move from behind the bench
'“Donny Granato or anyone else, to me, safety and caring about the people is extremely important – way more important than trying to figure out anything on the ice,” general manager Kevyn Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday as the Sabres practiced inside KeyBank Center. “We have to look after our staff. We have to look after our players. We have to support them in every way."' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Don Granato could move from behind the bench