Olean Times Herald

'“The one thing that hasn’t been questioned about Aspy is he’s hungry,” Sabres assistant coach Matt Ellis said following Wednesday’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “He’s hungry to attack the game, he’s hungry to attack practice. He’s grateful for every opportunity that he’s earned."' … [Read more...] about Confident Rasmus Asplund thriving in bigger role with Sabres

'Eakin, 30, skated to the bench on his own before leaving for the dressing room.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Cody Eakin leaves practice after crashing into net

'“We know we have to earn everything,” said Sabres center Dylan Cozens, who recorded two assists. “We know it’s not going to be easy, but everyone on this team has something to prove. We want to prove all the doubters wrong. We want to go out there and show that we can be a really good team in this league.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres win again, improve to 3-0: ‘We want to prove all the doubters wrong’

'But in Buffalo, Caggiula believes he can rediscover his scoring touch. He feels comfortable playing for coach Don Granato, who was an assistant during his first season with the Chicago Blackhawks.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Drake Caggiula focused on showcasing offensive side

'“It was a team, I think, that I fit well with, a bunch of guys that want to earn it every day, want to win, want to turn things around for this city,” said Wolanin, who will wear No. 86 with the Sabres. “And I want to be a part of it.”' … [Read more...] about Christian Wolanin thrilled to come to Buffalo, join Sabres: ‘It’s a hockey town’

'“(They said), ‘Jesus, I haven’t been seeing this for a long time,’” Hagg said Friday. “And guys were just laughing about it and having fun with it. I was actually sitting on the bench in the third period, having goosebumps when they start singing and clapping and all that, so it was a lot of fun. And I didn’t know it was 8,000. But it seemed like a lot more.”' … [Read more...] about Wild Buffalo crowd gave Sabres’ Robert Hagg ‘goosebumps’

'“I don’t believe it’s right to separate guys at this point,” he said. “I guess I look at my roster and I’m confident to spread ice time around. I think it’s a necessity. We need to play with a lot of energy. … They all have to play important situations."' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Don Granato wants to spread around ice time: ‘It’s a necessity’

'“We are harder to play against,” Sabres center Cody Eakin said after scoring a power-play goal in Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 shootout win over the Arizona Coyotes. “We are always playing with speed on the forecheck, the backcheck, and it just kind of gets annoying, I think, to other teams."' … [Read more...] about Sabres win again, starting to establish identity: ‘We are harder to play against’

'Sabres coach Don Granato said following Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 shootout win over the Arizona Coyotes that Jokiharju will likely be out a little longer than two weeks. Jokiharju was in the press box Saturday wearing a boot and using crutches.' … [Read more...] about Sabres add new defenseman, claim Christian Wolanin off waivers

'“It’s a little bit more of a challenge, but I’m just trying to embrace it and make the most of the opportunity,” Thompson said.' … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens growing into roles as Sabres’ top centers

'Meanwhile, Arttu Ruotsalainen, a healthy scratch Thursday, practiced in Cozens’ spot centering Anders Bjork and Drake Caggiula. Will Butcher, who also sat out opener, skated in Jokiharju’s place beside Rasmus Dahlin.' … [Read more...] about Sabres lose Casey Mittelstadt, Henri Jokiharju to injuries: ‘Not short-term’

'“We are a team that are young, can skate fast and are going to make mistakes,” Anderson said. “But they’re going to do it out of passion. And I think we’ve got a little bit naiveness right now, too, where we’re just going out there and playing what we’re told to do and reading and reacting.”' … [Read more...] about Exciting win over Canadiens shows Sabres buying into Don Granato’s plan

'In Ruotsalainen, they sat out one their most intriguing young forwards. The Finn, 23, enjoyed regular duty over the final month last season, compiling five goals and six points in 17 games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Arttu Ruotsalainen sits out opener; Rene Robert honored

'These days, on the ice or even talking to the media, Mittelstadt exudes confidence. He recently signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract. With Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen all gone, he has become one of the most recognizable faces on the rebuilding Sabres.' … [Read more...] about ‘Deep dive’ into game helped Casey Mittelstadt become Sabres’ top center

'“So when you look at that, you say if some of the last-place teams in the league have a winning percentage .500 to .600 when they score the first goal of the game, why would you spend so much time on defense?” Granato said after the Sabres prepared for Thursday’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens. “Because you’re going to be down goals, and you can’t concede those … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Don Granato plans to play fast-paced, exciting hockey