Buffalo News

'"Your mind is even going through this: When's it going to happen in the next guy, the next guy, the way it's going around the league and around the world," said coach Don Granato. "It happens today, it's tough for him (Thompson), for everybody."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Tage Thompson is latest addition to Covid protocol list

'“I think that’s a big part of it, and I think that’s something I’m really trying to work on – having that consistency game in and game out that I can build that trust in the coaches, and they know what they’re going to get from me every night,” Bjork said. “Part of that is my offensive ability and attacking the net more, but other parts of that are just playing with more grit … [Read more...] about Anders Bjork rejoins Sabres from protocol, aims to make more of an impact

'There's no question Power looks at this as a bonus Olympic opportunity he was never going to get at age 19, so he's jumping at it. While it's reasonable to think he'd be in the Olympic mix probably multiple times during his NHL career, making the Team Canada roster is no sure thing because of the country's depth. And the entire Olympic experience when it comes to the NHL is … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: The issues facing each side of Owen Power’s Olympic decision

'“It’s important that players understand this team means so much to the people of Buffalo,” Peca told The Buffalo News. “We know what the winters are like in Buffalo. It can get gray, and people look for something a little bit better on a day-to-day basis to cheer them up, and sports can do that. The hockey team has done that. It’s a blue-collar town and they want guys to work … [Read more...] about Michael Peca using his role in Rochester to help Sabres build a winner

'Hagg has not played since Dec. 14 against Winnipeg because of a lingering lower-body injury that required time to heal, and Bryson was placed in the NHL's Covid-19 protocol Dec. 29.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Defensemen Robert Hagg, Jacob Bryson rejoin practice

'The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica banner upon entering the building. There will be tributes throughout the night to Jeanneret's career, which was highlighted by his 2012 nod as the Foster Hewitt Award winner by the Hockey Hall of Fame.' … [Read more...] about Sabres to put Rick Jeanneret banner in the rafters as part of April 1 tribute

'A blend of too much practice time and not enough NHL difference-makers led to an ugly start for Buffalo against San Jose. Defenseman Ethan Prow, 29, who scored in his NHL debut last week, struggled playing his off side Thursday night. The Sabres had trouble breaking the puck out of their zone and, again, committed turnovers that led to opportunities for San Jose (18-16-1), … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres can’t overcome slow start without key players, fall to Sharks

'The first period was a disappointing effort from this club, short roster or not. Bad puck decisions all over the place and no offensive jam against a San Jose team that had given up 14 goals in its previous two games. A 22-shot third period and a near-miss on a tying goal in the final seconds by Tage Thompson was obviously better, but it was borne out of desperation and the … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: A weird night for Sabres. Must have meant the Sharks were in town

'The lawsuit, which was filed in June in the Supreme Court of California in Santa Clara, said the insurers refused to pay more than $1 billion in losses “on the erroneous basis that the Covid-19 virus does not cause physical loss or damage.”' … [Read more...] about Notebook: Sabres among 20 NHL teams suing insurers over rejected claims

'“A few people have asked me that and honestly, it wasn’t (frustrating),” Quinn, 20, told The Buffalo News. “Mainly because they had a Covid outbreak and guys got games, but I talked to (Rochester coach Seth Appert) and said, I want to prove myself in this league and that I kind of can move on from it. I don’t need a Covid break to move up to the NHL. It really didn’t matter … [Read more...] about Back from mono, Jack Quinn determined to earn a permanent spot with Sabres

'"I will be gauging who is fresh, who's feeling it, and I wouldn't be afraid that if a guy's going, you could get a career-high minutes," Granato said after practice Wednesday. "You don't have to save it for anything because there's plenty of time to recover and that is a coaching situation that you know and you're going to coach to that circumstance. So if somebody is feeling … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: With lots of recovery time, Don Granato can push top players Thursday

'“Everyone is an unbelievable player at this level,” Murray said. “I scored a lot of goals in the USHL level just because maybe I was an older player, and I had the experience. But there are players (in the NHL) that are paid to do that a lot more than me. Just adapting to the style of play that was going to give me success. There’s not a whole lot of bigger guys. I believe I … [Read more...] about Brett Murray using his size, skill to show he could be part of Sabres’ young core

'It was the second consecutive day when Granato put together a plan, only to have it foiled. Okposo was pulled off the KeyBank Center ice during practice Monday and, along with Fitzgerald, entered protocol soon after the team finished for the day.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, Anders Bjork enter NHL Covid protocol

'Luukkonen is only 2-3-2 in seven games but has posted a .927 save percentage. Among the 65 NHL goalies who have played at least seven games this year, that save percentage ranks eighth in the league. And Luukkonen is fourth at .931 when the Sabres are on the penalty kill.' … [Read more...] about Confident Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is finding a home in Sabres’ crease

'"We pulled him off when we found out," Granato said. "Everything's a concern right now. It's crazy times again. It's happened in games in major league sports. So I think everybody is trying to do their best to get information as fast as they can. I think everybody is on overload, especially in that department, with respect to testing. But yes, it's all a concern. There’s no … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Kyle Okposo and Casey Fitzgerald added to Covid protocol list