Brad Richards will be a healthy scratch tonight. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Incredibly, tonight in the New York, with the Rangers down 3-0 to Boston, coach John Tortorella will make alleged star Brad Richards and his $60 million contract a healthy scratch.
Richards, a former Conn Smythe winner with Tampa Bay in 2004, had already been relegated to the fourth line in the Eastern Conference semifinal, a series he has scored zero points.
Believe it or not, less than two years ago, the center was a coveted free agent. Teams lined up …
John Scott fought seven times in 2012-13. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Late this season, as John Scott began earning a regular shift beside some proven talent, the tough guy promised he would score his long-awaited second NHL goal.
Alas, despite skating more than 10 minutes some nights, Scott couldn’t net his first Sabres goal.
That elusive tally, Scott said Monday, will come next season.
“Oh, definitely, I’m going to get it,” Scott told the Times Herald by phone after the Sabres re-signed him to a one-year, $750,000 contract. “I was just saving …
John Scott touches his nose after fighting Toronto's Frazer McLaren on Feb. 21. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed tough guy John Scott to a one-year contract extension, the club announced this morning.
The 30-year-old, the Sabres’ first designated fighter in years, impressed this season, quickly becoming a local folk hero because of his hulking stature (6-foot-8 and 270 pounds) and fun personality.
Scott defeated Boston bruiser Shawn Thornton handily in late January, sending a message the Sabres wouldn’t be bullied. He fought seven times in 34 games, only getting scratched 14 times. He played …
Tyler Myers struggled much of the season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – In nearly three months as Sabres coach, Ron Rolston has dealt with Tyler Myers delicately, always offering encouraging words for the struggling franchise defenseman.
“He’s on a really good path right now,” Rolston said last week inside the First Niagara Center, reiterating comments he made throughout the season.
Of course, if Rolston, who shed his interim tag last week, wants to succeed as the franchise’s 16th coach, he needs Myers performing like the elite defender from his dynamic 2009-10 rookie …
Clarke MacArthur scored two goals in two games following two healthy scratches. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldTORONTO – This is one of those special stories hockey fans love hearing about and watching this time of year, some of the moments that make the NHL playoffs so fun and memorable.
Consider Clarke MacArthur’s recent exploits.
Following his postseason debut in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal, the Maple Leafs scratched MacArthur twice, no doubt an embarrassing experience for the assistant captain, who played a whopping 403 regular-season games before finally skating in a playoff contest.
But the Leafs inserted …
James Patrick had coached with the Sabres since 2006-07. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The Sabres have fired assistant coaches James Patrick and Kevyn Adams, according to multiple reports.
It was believed new Sabres coach Ron Rolston, whose interim tag was removed Tuesday, would make some changes to his staff.
The reports state assistant Teppo Numminen will stay on. The status of goalie coach Jim Corsi is unclear.
Other than one year playing in Europe, Patrick has been a Sabres player or coach since 1998-99. The 49-year-old former defenseman, a top aid of former coach …
Kevyn Adams (left) was a regular assistant coach for Tyler Ennis and the Sabres since 2011-12 ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The Sabres have fired assistant coaches James Patrick and Kevyn Adams, according to multiple reports.
It was believed new Sabres coach Ron Rolston, whose interim tag was removed Tuesday, would make some changes to his staff.
The reports state assistant Teppo Numminen will stay on.
Other than one year playing in Europe, Patrick has been a Sabres player or coach since 1998-99. The 49-year-old former defenseman, a top aid of former coach Lindy Ruff, started coaching in 2006-07.
The stunning regression of …
Ron Rolston had never coached in the NHL prior to his Feb. 20 promotion. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Hours after Ron Rolston replaced Lindy Ruff on an interim basis Feb. 20, the new Sabres coach walked into a Toronto hotel and addressed a room full of shocked players.
Most veterans knew nothing about Rolston, a college, junior-age and AHL coach for 23 years. The 46-year-old had never spent one day in the NHL.
“You’re always wondering what’s going to happen when he first comes in,” Sabres winger Steve Ott said by phone Tuesday after the Sabres removed the …
Ron Rolston is the 16th coach in franchise history. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – When Darcy Regier promoted Ron Rolston to interim coach Feb. 20, the Sabres general manager originally planned to interview other candidates following the season.
But as the campaign progressed, Regier noticed Rolston’s motivating and teaching talents. That the Sabres finished 12th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs didn’t matter.
Regier wanted Rolston, a noted talent developer, to take over the young, rebuilding club.
He never spoke to anyone else.
“It became more and more evident that he was a very …
Ron Rolston took over on an interim basis Feb. 20. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The Sabres today named Ron Rolston, the team’s interim coach since Feb. 20, the 16th coach in franchise history.
The 46-year-old went 15-11-5 after taking over for Lindy Ruff. The Sabres summoned him from Rochester, where he had led the AHL Americans since 2011-12.
Rolston and Sabres general manager Darcy Regier, who said last week he would decide Rolston’s future quickly, plan to address the media at 11 a.m. inside the First Niagara Center.
Check back later for much more.