Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ex-Sabres tough guy John Scott wants NHL All-Star spot

BUFFALO – The sight, of course, would be odd. Just imagine 6-foot-8 former Sabres tough guy John Scott, who has five goals in his eight-year career, competing against superstars like Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos in the new three-on-three NHL All-Star Game format.

If fans keep casting online ballots for Scott, that could happen Jan. 31 in Nashville.

Right now, Scott, a healthy scratch 19 times with the Arizona Coyotes this season, is the ... Read the full article

Sabres face stiff test in upstart Coyotes

BUFFALO – The Arizona Coyotes, of course, hardly register on the radar around here. As one of the NHL’s perennial dregs, they usually rank among the league’s most irrelevant teams.

But that’s starting to change this season, as two talented rookie forwards – Max Domi and Anthony Duclair – have helped a team many pegged for a lottery pick race out to a 13-11-1 start.

“We don’t see Arizona all that often, but it’s hard ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen developing into star

BUFFALO – No one could believe the number that has been attached to Rasmus Ristolainen’s stat line all season: zero.

In 606 minutes, 12 seconds on the ice spread over 25 games – that’s a team-high 24 minutes, 14 seconds a contest – the Sabres’ ace defenseman hasn’t taken a penalty.

“Zero?” Josh Gorges, Ristolainen’s defense partner, asked incredulously Thursday before saying he was “impressed” and “surprised.”

When informed Ristolainen has zero penalty minutes, ... Read the full article

World junior memories special for Sabres youngsters

BUFFALO – Eleven months ago, on the grand stages of Montreal and Toronto, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart showcased why he’s regarded as one of hockey’s top prospects, starring for Team Canada during its run to world junior championship gold.

“I had a blast, one of the best times of my life,” Reinhart said this afternoon, shortly after it was announced Buffalo would host the tournament again in 2018.

Two years ago in Sweden, defenseman Rasmus ... Read the full article

World juniors coming back to Buffalo

BUFFALO – USA Hockey announced this morning it will make a “major announcement” – that means the 2018 world junior championship – at 3 p.m. Friday on the 18-yard line at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Sabres owner Terry Pegula and president Russ Brandon will attend the news conference.

The Sabres hosted the 2011 world juniors. Buffalo competed with Pittsburgh and St. Louis for the 2018 tournament.

Stay tuned for more details. Based on the venue for ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons doesn’t want All-Star votes

With NHL All-Star balloting now open, Buffalo Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons has a message for the fans in his native Latvia: Don’t vote for me again.

In a tweet Girgensons posted in Latvian today, he wrote, according to Google Translate, “All due respect to the fans, but please (do) not … vote for me (for) this (year’s All-Star Game)! Such things must be earned!”

Girgensons, 21, has only two goals and four points in 21 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Carlo Colaiacovo OK after check to throat

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, who was hospitalized Saturday for what coach Dan Bylsma called a “dented trachea,” accompanied his teammates Sunday to Detroit.

Colaiacovo left the Sabres’ 4-1 win against the Nashville Predators 11:43 into the second period after Viktor Arvidsson crossed-checked him in the throat as the two battled for position. Colaiacovo stayed on the ice in noticeable pain before skating off. Arvidsson received a major penalty and was ejected.

“I don’t ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel and Brian Gionta help Sabres down Hurricanes

BUFFALO – Shortly before Jack Eichel’s nifty winning goal in the Sabres’ 4-1 win Friday, the rookie took an ill-advised skate from his own blue line back toward the net and into danger.

Eichel, 19, coughed up the puck to the Carolina Hurricanes, leading to Zach Bogosian’s interference penalty.

But the Sabres, who ended their six-game losing streak, can live with the occasional mistake from Eichel because, just 23 games into his career, the center ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Carlo Colaiacovo grateful for opportunity

BUFFALO – Having endured a string of injuries in his 20s that almost derailed his career, Sabres defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo understands what it’s like to nearly lose something you love so dearly.

That’s one reason why the affable veteran, who’s on his fourth team in four seasons and nearly went to Russia last year before an opportunity materialized in Philadelphia, is cherishing his time with the Sabres.

“To have been in the league for so ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian and Evander Kane questionable for Hurricanes

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian and winger Evander Kane will be game-time decisions tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes inside the First Niagara Center, coach Dan Bylsma said this morning.

Bogosian is only five games into his season after missing two months with a lower-body injury. Kane, meanwhile, was questionable for Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to Nashville with a lower-body injury before scoring a goal.

Update: Kane is wearing a walking boot on his left foot.... Read the full article