Olean Times Herald

'“In this league, your best players are the reason you’re in games,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Saturday’s game. “And sometimes your best player’s a forward, sometimes he’s a D. You’re pretty damn happy in this league when it’s the goalie. He played to that level tonight, and … what I was most excited about was how his body language, his confidence."' … [Read more...] about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen entrenching himself as Sabres’ starting goalie

'“It’s really good conditioning,” he said. “I recommend it to anyone else that gets COVID.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Dylan Cozens takes out COVID frustrations with virtual boxing

'Meanwhile, forwards Dylan Cozens, Zemgus Girgensons and Mark Jankowski returned from protocol today and practiced. Before Okposo departed, the Sabres had 16 forwards on the ice.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Kyle Okposo leaves practice to enter NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

'“I thought he was gonna see me at first and then he held onto it,” said Tuch, whose goal put the Sabres up 3-1 19:11 into the second period. “I’m like, ‘OK, I know what he’s gonna do with it next.’ I’ve seen him do it in practice. That backhand pass is lethal. He’s not even looking, he’s got everyone else looking in the wrong direction and he found me wide open. I thought he … [Read more...] about Peyton Krebs’ nifty assist creates Alex Tuch’s first goal with Sabres

'When Granato received clearance, he hopped on a morning flight and made it to Boston in time for the Sabres’ 1:08 p.m. faceoff.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Don Granato leaves NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, travels to Boston

'“Both will be available, if that’s the direction we decide,” assistant Matt Ellis, who’s subbing for head coach Don Granato, told the paper.' … [Read more...] about Report: Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza, Jeff Skinner leave COVID-19 protocol

'Still, when you’re missing about half your regular lineup, it’s going to bite you.' … [Read more...] about Weakened Sabres don’t have answers for Islanders

'“Definitely a special moment and night that’s Prow’s going to never forget,” said Sabres assistant Matt Ellis, who’s filling in for head coach Don Granato while he’s in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. “But the culmination of the moment and how this transpired is pretty cool. Sometimes the best scenarios are the ones you don’t have any time to think about, where you’re running on … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Ethan Prow never lost belief he would crack NHL someday

'“If everything goes well physically in his reacclimatization to more exercise this weekend and contact at some point next week, I think there’s a chance that maybe next weekend he’s in the lineup,” Appert told the Times Herald.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Jack Quinn nears return to practice with Amerks

'“It’s obviously trending in the right direction,” said Thompson, who scored the first of his two goals against New Jersey off a Tuch feed, ending a 10-game drought. “I think everyone in the room feels that. It’s a fun atmosphere to be a part of. I think everybody in the room believes in each other and believes in what we see for ourselves in the future in terms of a team, … [Read more...] about Alex Tuch’s debut sign of brighter times ahead for Sabres

'Ellis said he learned a “ton” from Ruff, “watching his approach, the day to day, the structure that he implemented.” He said ex-Sabres assistant James Patrick and Mike Babcock, his first NHL coach with the Detroit Red Wings, also influenced him.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Matt Ellis debuts against Lindy Ruff, coach he knows best

'The Sabres on Tuesday recalled Krebs, 20, and Peterka, 19, and center Arttu Ruotsalainen, 24, from the Rochester Americans because they have five forwards in COVID-19 protocol. Meanwhile, Tuch, 25, has anxiously been waiting to play his first game for his beloved Sabres, the team he cheered for growing up in Baldwinsville.' … [Read more...] about Debuts of Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch offer Sabres some hope

'“Today it was just nice to be around the guys again and get together, talk about what we did for the holidays, world juniors, and what’s going on,” Okposo said. “Get back to a normal day. That was definitely nice, and I feel for the guys who can’t be here.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres move forward without Don Granato, five players: ‘I feel for the guys’

'Tokarski, 32, said he has no idea how he caught the virus. He went from expecting to start Dec. 3 against the Panthers to being pulled off the team bus and staying put in a hotel room.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Dustin Tokarski has lingering issues coming off COVID-19

'“Owen I thought last night showed what his makeup is which is poise and confidence and the ability to just calm things down and make the right play,” Adams said following Monday’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “I’m sure it’s a pretty exciting time for him being the first Canadian World Junior player to get a hat trick as a defenseman."' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Kevyn Adams impressed by Owen Power’s hat trick