Tyler Ennis can go back to Switzerland if he wants. ©2012, Peter Eggimann, SCL Tigers

Sabres’ Ennis back from Switzerland, having shoulder re-evaluated

BUFFALO – For now, Tyler Ennis’ Swiss adventure is on hold.

Ennis recently returned from Switzerland to have a nagging shoulder injury re-evaluated.

The locked-out Sabres center stressed the minor bang-up he sustained during his second National League A appearance with Langnau isn’t serious. He plans on skating Friday.

“(It’s) not bad, but I just wanted to be cautious just in case the season starts, I want to be 100 percent,” Ennis told the Times Herald ... Read the full article

Mark Mancari was the 18th player in Sabres history to sport No. 12. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

In honor on 12-12-12, the Sabres’ all-time No. 12 roster

In honor of December 12, 2012 – 12-12-12 as everyone’s calling it today – we present the Buffalo Sabres’ No. 12 list, the 18 distinguished men who have worn the number in franchise history.

Who do you think is the greatest?

Here’s a note on each:

Skip Krake, 1970-71: First No. 12 scored four goals for the inaugural Sabres.

Mike Byers, 1971-72: Second No. 12 tallied nine goals during the team’s second season.... Read the full article

Jochen Hecht wants to return to the NHL when the lockout ends. ©2012, Janet Schultz, Olean Times Herald

Jochen Hecht heading to Germany with goal of NHL return

BUFFALO – In September, former Sabres forward Jochen Hecht said he had a standing offer to join his hometown Mannheim Eagles, a DEL club in his native Germany.

Hecht kept that option on the backburner, however.

Instead of returning home, the 35-year-old free agent made the NHL his No. 1 option. Hecht stayed in Buffalo, skating with some locked-out Sabres at the Northtown Center a few times a week.

But with the lockout 87 days ... Read the full article

Cody McCormick called the NHL’s latest round of cancellations “terrible.” ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Latest cancellations frustrate Sabres’ McCormick

AMHERST – Of course, the NHL’s fifth round of cancellations – games from Saturday through Dec. 30, including eight more Buffalo Sabres contests – was only a formality. The league had been expected to axe more games after collective bargaining negotiations with the NHL Players’ Association imploded last week.

Still, knowing something will happen doesn’t always soften the blow.

“It’s terrible,” Sabres forward Cody McCormick said about the cancellations Monday after skating inside the Northtown ... Read the full article

Robyn Regehr doesn’t believe the NHL has presented the players a fair deal yet. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Regehr still optimistic for season despite recent blowup

AMHERST – Even as promising signs kept emerging from the NHL and the Players’ Association’s marathon collective bargaining sessions earlier this week, Robyn Regehr never felt a deal was close to ending the 84-day lockout.

“Personally, no,” the Buffalo Sabres defenseman said Friday inside the Northtown Center, a day after the once-promising talks imploded spectacularly at a New York hotel. “I think a lot of players and a lot people kind of have felt that ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers has been spending the NHL lockout playing in Austria. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Report: Sabres’ Myers injures ankle in Austria

BUFFALO – Uh-oh.

Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers, who’s playing for Klagenfurter AC in Austria during the NHL lockout, injured his ankle tonight. He was helped off the ice and underwent an MRI, according to this report.

Myers hasn’t wowed in the EBEL like some might’ve been expecting. The 22-year-old has two goals, nine points and a minus-8 rating in 15 games, according to hockeydb.com.

UPDATE: Myers has a left ankle strain and ... Read the full article

Robyn Regehr still believes there will be an NHL season. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Regehr never thought CBA was imminent

AMHERST – I chatted with Buffalo Sabres defenseman Robyn Regehr this morning inside the Northtown Center, less than a day after collective bargaining negotiations to end the 83-day NHL lockout imploded badly.

The 32-year-old, a lockout veteran, didn’t mince words.

Here are some quick highlights:

On if a deal was really that close:

“Personally, no. I think a lot of players and a lot people kind of have felt that way at different parts ... Read the full article

Steve Ott believes “Rockout The Lockout” will have some intensity. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Steve Ott hopes charity game wows fans

BUFFALO – In Steve Ott’s mind, the special “Rockout The Lockout” charity hockey game he’s helping present Saturday could become more than a mere exhibition contest.

Eighty-three days into the NHL lockout, players are starving for some game action, the Sabres winger said.

So don’t expect the event “to be just an all-star game,” he said. Players are becoming increasingly competitive as they wait for the season to start. Some haven’t played a game in ... Read the full article

Ryan Miller usually makes his feelings known. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ryan Miller has long history of displaying passion

BUFFALO – If you’ve spent any time following Ryan Miller’s career, then you’re aware the Sabres goalie might be the NHL’s most passionate player.

Miller says whatever he thinks, a rarity in sports today. Sometimes he’s lauded for it. Other times he’s flayed for it.

But he’ll stand up for whatever he believes is right.

So it’s hardly surprising details are emerging that Miller, one of the 18 or so players negotiating with owners in ... Read the full article

Jordan Leopold said he hadn’t been briefed on Tuesday’s meetings in New York. ©2012, Janet Schultz, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Leopold ‘cautiously optimistic’ CBA meetings moving process forward

AMHERST – Finally, 81 days later, the NHL lockout may mercifully be nearing an end. Eighteen players, including Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, and six owners held a marathon day of collective bargaining meetings Tuesday in New York.

When the sides emerged, NHL Players’ Association special counsel Steve Fehr, flanked by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, said, “In some ways I’d say it might be the best day we’ve had, which isn’t too overly ... Read the full article