WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Tim Schaller played twice during his recall this week. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Winger Drew Stafford returned to the Sabres today following the birth of his son, so Buffalo sent center Tim Schaller back to the Rochester Americans.
Schaller played two games during his most recent recall and has one goal in six NHL appearances this season. He has 10 goals and 23 points in 34 games with the AHL Amerks.
Stafford missed two games.
... Read the full article
Nathan Lieuwen has a scary history of concussions. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Some sad news out of Rochester, where Americans goalie Nathan Lieuwen will “take significant time off” to recover from the concussion he suffered late last season with the Buffalo Sabres, according to the Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobzija.
Lieuwen, who has scary history of concussions, recently told the Amerks he has experienced vision issues all season, according to the paper. A neurologist said his brain hasn’t healed from the April 6 concussion ... Read the full article
Brendan Lemieux already has 29 goals this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Brendan Lemieux understands junior hockey is a special, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The three or four years, the Sabres prospect has been told, are “definitely the best time of your life.”
“I know why they say that,” Lemieux, the 31st pick by the Sabres in June, said by phone Tuesday. “I’m having a blast in junior. We’re on a high right now. We’re on a winning streak.”
The gritty, high-scoring winger already has 29 ... Read the full article
Phil Varone is on recall to the Sabres. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Rochester Americans center Phil Varone, who’s on recall to the Buffalo Sabres, has been named to the AHL All-Star Game, the league announced today.
Varone has enjoyed another strong AHL season, compiling eight goals and a team-high 29 points in 35 games with the Amerks.
The 24-year-old is set to make his NHL season debut tonight in New Jersey.
Two former Sabres also earned spots in the game. Hershey Bears forward Tim Kennedy, ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers has missed seven games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Without Tyler Myers, the Sabres quickly became a mess, losing six of the seven games without their ace defenseman.
Opponents exploited Myers’ absence, outscoring the Sabres 33-13 during the past two weeks.
Yikes.
Thankfully for the Sabres, who have lost four straight games and eight of nine overall, Myers will return from his lower-body injury tonight against the Devils.
“I’m not going to be the savior coming in,” Myers told reporters Monday in New ... Read the full article
Phil Varone played nine games with the Sabres last season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The struggling Sabres, losers of four straight games and eight of the last nine, recalled forwards Tim Schaller and Phil Varone from Rochester tonight.
At this point, the Sabres need any spark they can find.
The team also assigned center Johan Larsson to Rochester.
Schaller, 24, had three stints with the Sabres earlier this season, scoring one goal. He has a team-high 10 goals and is second on the AHL Americans with 23 ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons has played only 109 NHL games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
With lots of help from the rabid fans in his native Latvia and Buffalo, 20-year-old Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons earned an NHL-high 1,574,896 votes and has been elected to the All-Star Game Jan. 25 in Columbus, the league announced tonight.
Girgensons is just 109 games into his career.
The other five players voted in are all Chicago Blackhawks stars: forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook and goalie Corey Crawford.... Read the full article
Florida goalie Roberto Luongo watches the puck in front of Cody Hodgson on Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It’s getting ugly again. In fact, it’s starting to feel like October. The Sabres are losing every game. They can’t score. Opponents keep outshooting them.
Following an exciting 10-3 run, the Sabres have lost three straight games and seven of the last eight.
A wretched start, an early-season staple, doomed the Sabres in Friday’s boring 2-0 loss to the Florida Panthers before a capacity crowd of 19,070 fans inside a quiet First Niagara ... Read the full article
Brian Campbell joined Florida in 2011. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Don’t tell 35-year-old former Sabres All-Star Brian Campbell he’s the oldest member of the Florida Panthers.
“No, no, no, no,” Campbell said Friday prior to the Panthers’ 2-0 win against the Sabres inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m not even top two. I’m third. I might even be later.”
Campbell then turned to Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo.
“Louie, what month were you born in?” he asked.
Luongo replied he was born in April.... Read the full article
Tyler Myers has missed five games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In five games without ace defenseman Tyler Myers, the Sabres have struggling badly, imploding late in four losses. They need the 24-year-old minute-muncher back badly.
When could Myers return?
“I’m pretty close,” he said this morning after skating inside the First Niagara Center. “I don’t know when I’ll be back. But it’s been better each and every day. I would assume it’s pretty close.”
Myers, out with a lower-body injury since ... Read the full article
