Steve Ott, shown here wearing a gold practice jersey, helped the Sabres reveal their new third game jersey. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres to wear new third jersey for first of 10 times Sunday

BUFFALO – The Sabres will wear their gold third jersey for the first of 10 home games Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings.

That’s 10 of the 29 remaining games inside the First Niagara Center, Sabres fans. Ten!

Fans immediately panned the two-tone jersey, which features gold as the primary for the first time in team history, after Sabres captain Steve Ott unveiled it via Twitter on Sept. 4.

Reaction has been so harsh ... Read the full article

Darcy Regier is putting the Stanley Cup, the ultimate goal, ahead of simply reaching the postseason. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Regier warns Sabres’ Stanley Cup goal ‘may require some suffering’

BUFFALO – The Sabres want their rabid fan base to understand something, general manager Darcy Regier said. The organization’s new philosophy – one that embraces building for a Stanley Cup, not simply making the playoffs – could require some suffering.

“We have gone with more determination in a very distinct direction, which is about the Stanley Cup,” Regier said Monday during a contentious and even bizarre 46-minute season-ending news conference inside the First Niagara Center. ... Read the full article

Ted Black jabbed with reporters Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres president Black grilled at season-ending news conference

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ season-ending news conference Monday started innocently enough.

Sabres president Ted Black said Darcy Regier would be returning as general manager. Regier talked about interim coach Ron Rolston’s future, which will be determined later.

But that tranquility only lasted briefly. The atmosphere inside the cramped First Niagara Center press room quickly became contentious.

Within minutes, reporters started hammering Black on the Sabres’ decision to announce their 4 percent season-ticket increase on Friday, ... Read the full article

Darcy Regier said his goal is to win a Stanley Cup, not simply make the postseason. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Regier wants Sabres fans to know Stanley Cup goal could cause ‘suffering’

BUFFALO – The Sabres want their rabid fan base to understand something, general manager Darcy Regier said. The organization’s new philosophy – one that embraces building for a Stanley Cup, not simply making the playoffs – could require some suffering.

“We have gone with more determination in a very distinct direction, which is about the Stanley Cup,” Regier said this afternoon during a contentious and even bizarre 46-minute season-ending news conference inside the First Niagara ... Read the full article

Jhonas Enroth played well down the stretch. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jhonas Enroth feels ready to be No. 1 goalie following strong finish

BUFFALO – After 45 NHL starts, Sabres backup Jhonas Enroth believes he’s ready to assume regular duty. The 24-year-old wants to be a No. 1 goalie badly.

There’s just one problem.

“Ryan’s the starter here,” Enroth said Saturday as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers inside the First Niagara Center.

But how much longer will Ryan Miller be the starter?

It’s widely believed the Sabres will try to trade the franchise goalie following their disappointing ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers struggled much of this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Myers says conditioning will improve following poor season

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers said the season-ending hairline fracture he suffered in his left leg April 11 “could’ve been a blessing in disguise.”

The injury allowed the 23-year-old to spend a few weeks working with the team’s strength and conditioning staff.

“(We) just had a lot of talks about what was expected, what was needed,” Myers said Saturday as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s just more ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff began coaching the Sabres in 1997. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ regression ultimately doomed Lindy Ruff

BUFFALO – Darcy Regier walked in looking shaken. The Sabres general manager broke down a couple times while discussing the difficult decision to fire his close friend Lindy Ruff, the NHL’s longest-tenured coach.

Regier and Ruff had been synonymous with each other since 1997, when a rookie GM gave a young coaching prospect his dream job. Together, they experienced all the highs and lows of the NHL, somehow managing to keep their gigs despite limited ... Read the full article

Darcy Regier has owner Terry Pegula’s support. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres GM Regier receives extension; Pegula apologizes for lockout

BUFFALO – To his supporters, Darcy Regier’s a victim. Poor ownership handcuffed the general manager multiple times. Look at the Sabres teams he built, they say. The 1998-99 club came within two games of the Stanley Cup. Two dynamic post-lockout teams also nearly won it all.

If he had been given more tools or just some help re-signing his own talent, who knows how far the Sabres could’ve gone?

Regier’s detractors believe he should’ve been ... Read the full article

Darcy Regier finally got to talk about training camp Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres apologize for lockout, thank fans for patience

BUFFALO – Make no mistake, the Sabres supported the NHL’s 113-day lockout.

“I don’t want anyone to think we didn’t vote in favor of it,” Sabres president Ted Black said Tuesday during a 30-minute news conference inside the First Niagara Center to talk about the upcoming season.

But how does the new collective bargaining agreement benefit the Sabres? Terry Pegula, their billionaire owner, spends freely on the team. Money isn’t an issue. The Sabres operate ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta enjoyed a special feeling during Monday’s skate. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres happy to be prepping for new season

AMHERST – It felt differently, Patrick Kaleta said, nothing like the dozens and dozens of practices the Buffalo Sabres winger had participated in during the 113-day NHL lockout.

On Monday, the day after the NHL and the Players’ Association tentatively reached a new collective bargaining agreement, Kaleta experienced a special feeling as he skated with eight other Sabres inside the Northtown Center.

“It’s just a feeling in my bones, my muscles,” Kaleta said afterwards. ... Read the full article