'The problem with the defense is they have six guys that belong on the third pair and will get into trouble if they’re in the top four. The injury to Mattias Samuelsson has hurt. He hasn’t resumed skating yet after getting hurt blocking a shot in Game 1 of the Prospects Challenge. I think Samuelsson is capable of being a second pair D.' … [Read more...] about Hamilton Take2: Sabres’ roster taking shape ahead of opening night
Archives for 2021
Thursday's Rochester Coverage
Mersch's leadership being felt at Amerks training camp (Amerks.com) Amerks open training camp: Day One notebook (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Rochester Coverage
Observations: Dustin Tokarski standing tall in Sabres' goalie competition
'Tokarski, a 32-year-old who went nearly four years between NHL games, stopped 15 of 16 shots in the Sabres’ 5-4 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night. Through three preseason appearances, Tokarski has compiled a .965 save percentage, allowing only two goals on 37 shots.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Dustin Tokarski standing tall in Sabres’ goalie competition
Sabres Notebook: After two games in NHL camp, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen sent to Rochester
'Luukkonen lost both of his starts in the preseason, posting a 5.08 goals against average and .836 save percentage. He had one solid period in each game, stopping all 18 shots he faced in the first period of a 6-2 loss to Detroit and all nine shots against him in the third period of Monday's 5-3 loss to Columbus in KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: After two games in NHL camp, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen sent to Rochester
Axel Jonsson-Fjallby thrilled to join Sabres, sees opportunities
'“I’m trying to bring speed to the game,” he said. “I don’t see myself as a half-wall power-play guy. I’m just trying to bring the speed and good defense, good penalty kill.”' … [Read more...] about Axel Jonsson-Fjallby thrilled to join Sabres, sees opportunities
Sabres notes: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen enjoyed ‘great’ training camp
'“He played games in the league last year and he, like most players, like any competitive player, was coming here to earn a spot,” Granato said. “And having that burn going into these games with that, I thought the third period was big for him last night to come back and fight.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen enjoyed ‘great’ training camp
Wednesday's Pittsburgh Coverage
Prospects Drew O’Connor and Radim Zohorna push for roster spots in Penguins shootout victory (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Penguins notes: Jake Guentzel, Zach Aston-Reese 'making progress' toward return after positive COVID tests (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Penguins beat Sabres in nine-round shootout (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Penguins defenseman Juuso Riikola: 'I need to play … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Coverage
The Jack Eichel saga has become a pain for both sides, with the Sabres centre likely to miss his age-25 season
'We’ve gone past the point where anyone can emerge from the stalemate between Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres as a winner.' … [Read more...] about The Jack Eichel saga has become a pain for both sides, with the Sabres centre likely to miss his age-25 season
The Sabres couldn't manage the puck and lost in Pittsburgh
'Mark Pysyk and Will Butcher and a very rough time in this game and had numerous turnovers and lost numerous battles. I think it’s very evident they can’t play together and I’ve seen nothing in the preseason that tells me they should even be in the opening night lineup.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres couldn’t manage the puck and lost in Pittsburgh
Pens edge Sabres in shootout
'"You know there's situations where you saw an awareness and they just didn't execute. They knew where they should go with it, but there are things we can tweak and we can drill in at practice that can help us in that area but by what you saw tonight... looks like we've got a long way to go."' … [Read more...] about Pens edge Sabres in shootout
Cozens tallies 2 assists in SO loss to Penguins
'Pittsburgh erased a 3-1 deficit during the third period. Anders Bjork scored for Buffalo to regain a 4-3 lead, but Kasperi Kapanen buried the tying goal with an extra attacker on the ice for Pittsburgh with 52.6 seconds remaining in regulation.' … [Read more...] about Cozens tallies 2 assists in SO loss to Penguins
Sabres assign 6 players to Amerks
'...Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen...' … [Read more...] about Sabres assign 6 players to Amerks
Sharpen Up: October 6, 2021 | Sabres begin prep for preseason finale
'The Sabres have one more preseason game left on the schedule. They'll host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday at 3 p.m. Faceoff is at 3 p.m. on MSG and WGR 550 with pregame coverage on MSG starting at 2:30.' … [Read more...] about Sharpen Up: October 6, 2021 | Sabres begin prep for preseason finale
Observations: Not much help for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as Sabres fall to Blue Jackets
'It was a formidable challenge for Luukkonen against a Columbus forward corps that included Voracek, Patrik Laine, Boone Jenner, Gustav Nyquist, Oliver Bjorkstrand as well as No. 1 defenseman Zach Werenski. He made several decent saves, and was particularly sharp with his glove hand, but dealt with a sea of open players in the Sabres' defensive zone.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Not much help for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as Sabres fall to Blue Jackets
German winger J-J Peterka showing Sabres he's 'something special'
'“He’s got three big tickets,” said Sabres defenseman Ethan Prow, who played with Peterka in Munich last season. “It’s his speed, for one. He uses it well and when he takes guys wide, he can really burn people with his speed. But then the other two are his hands and shot. I think he has all three. You can see his great shot and it showed up in Munich when we were on the power … [Read more...] about German winger J-J Peterka showing Sabres he’s ‘something special’