T.J. Brennan has been a healthy scratch frequently this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldIn seven NHL games this season, Buffalo Sabres defenseman T.J. Brennan has zero points and 14 shots on goal (how many have missed the net?) while averaging 14:11 on the ice each appearance.
After scoring 14 goals and 35 points in 36 games with Rochester this season, Brennan has underwhelmed mightily.
If the 23-year-old didn’t have to clear waivers, he likely would’ve been returned to the AHL. Instead, rather than risk losing him, the Sabres have stashed the rookie as their eighth …
Justin Peters hasn't played an NHL game this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldMeet Justin Peters, the Hurricanes’ third string goalie and the starter tonight against the Buffalo Sabres in Carolina.
In one previous appearance against the Sabres on March 21, 2010, he allowed four goals on 14 shots before mercifully getting yanked from his eighth NHL start, a 5-3 Buffalo win in Carolina.
Peters’ career numbers against the Sabres: an awful 8.36 goals against average and a .714 save percentage in 29 minutes.
Of course, injuries will press Peters into action tonight. Starting goalie Cam …
Patrick Kaleta had been suspended twice prior to Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta insists he has changed his game over the years, calming his ultra-aggressive style down to become a more complete and responsible player.
Players have noticed, he said. Referees have even lauded the Sabres’ top agitator.
“The referees have came up and said, ‘Hey, we respect what you’ve done so far. As long as you keep showing respect toward us, then we’ll respect you,’” Kaleta told reporters Monday in Raleigh before the NHL suspended him five games for cross-checking …
Tim Gleason and Steve Ott fight during the first period Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Lindy Ruff spent four games patiently waiting for his anemic, one-line offense to jumpstart itself. The Sabres coach mostly left his combinations intact, believing they’d eventually shake out of their funks.
But following Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes before 18,824 fans inside the First Niagara Center, Ruff finally had enough.
The top trio of Cody Hodgson, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek will remain intact. With another goal from Vanek on Friday, the NHL’s hottest line has scored nine …
Ville Leino had a good 20-minute skate Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Right now, Sabres winger Ville Leino has no plans to undergo surgery on the injured right hip that sidelined him a fourth straight game Friday.
Leino enjoyed a strong 20-minute skate Friday morning inside the First Niagara Center before he began feeling tired and the hip tightened up, he said. Still, that represents progress.
“It feels better,” Leino said prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. “Today it felt a lot better.”
Surgery, Leino said, could be an …
Nathan Gerbe made his season debut Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Can you blame Nathan Gerbe for getting really hot?
Following offseason spine surgery, the Sabres winger endured a long and arduous road back to the ice.
Then, minutes into his season debut Thursday, Carolina’s Drayson Bowman knocked Gerbe into the boards from behind, a scary hit similar to the one that began his troubles.
Gerbe, understandably, was livid during the ensuing scrum. But when he began jawing with Chad LaRose, referee Dan O’Halloran grabbed him and rammed him into the glass.
Why?
“He …
Ville Leino hasn't played yet this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Right now, Sabres winger Ville Leino has no plans to undergo surgery on the injured right hip that will sideline him a fourth straight game tonight.
Leino enjoyed a strong 20-minute skate this morning inside the First Niagara Center before he began feeling tired and the hip tightened up, he said. Still, that represents progress.
“It feels better,” Leino said this morning. “Today it felt a lot better.”
Surgery, Leino said, could be an option later on. For now, the Finn …
Jason Pominville (front) and Thomas Vanek began skating together regularly last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Early in the second period of the Sabres’ 2-1 win Monday, Thomas Vanek knocked Nikolai Kulemin down in his own zone, grabbed the loose puck and zoomed down the left wing into Toronto territory on a three-on-two break.
Vanek then laid a perfect pass over to Jason Pominville, almost without looking, as he stopped at the top of the left circle. Cody Hodgson, meanwhile, was roaring to the crease with a defender, giving Pominville an open look at the …
Nathan Gerbe practiced with Mikhail Grigorenko and Steve Ott on Wednesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – While Nathan Gerbe still had to be cleared to play Wednesday, it appears the feisty Sabres winger could make his season debut tonight in Carolina after undergoing offseason spine surgery.
Gerbe skated on the wing Wednesday beside 18-year-old rookie Mikhail Grigorenko and Steve Ott, his first action on a regular line this year.
“We’ll see where he’s at (today),” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said following practice inside the First Niagara Center.
Gerbe underwent a procedure called a Discectomy L5-SI for an …
Jaroslav Spacek has experienced a difficult season. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – With three Canadian sports networks and thousands of blogs and message boards bandying his name around all trade deadline day, a nervous Jaroslav Spacek tried to escape the commotion by taking a nap.
The likable Carolina Hurricanes defenseman made one big mistake, though. He left his cell phone beside him. He was barraged with text messages.
“I tried to lay down, enjoy (it). But after 30 minutes I was like, ‘Jesus.’ I turned it on silent,” Spacek said Wednesday prior …