Rasmus Ristolainen (55) battles Philadelphia’s Wayne Simmonds for the puck earlier this year. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen enjoying career-best stretch

BUFFALO – It was March 14, and Zach Bogosian’s injury had suddenly left the Sabres short-handed. Coach Ted Nolan needed a defenseman to fill the newcomer’s big minutes, so he turned to 20-year-old Rasmus Ristolainen, one of his top prospects.

At times, Ristolainen’s second NHL season had been a rough ride. He had already been playing 20 minutes many nights. Why add more to the youngster’s plate?

Nolan wanted to see how Ristolainen, ... Read the full article

Nikita Zadorov will likely sit out tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ patience with Nikita Zadorov could be wearing thin

BUFFALO – Each time Nikita Zadorov violates a team rule, it’s important to remember the Sabres defenseman wasn’t drafted by Tim Murray. The gruff general manager isn’t tied to the Russian.

Sure, Zadorov, the 16th pick in 2013, is an elite prospect. At just 19 years old, he’s already a big contributor to the Sabres. Zadorov recently compiled seven points in seven games. The Sabres scored only 16 times in that stretch. He could ... Read the full article

Luke Adam scored 15 goals in 86 games with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Change of scenery: Sabres trade Luke Adam to Blue Jackets for Jerry D’Amigo

BUFFALO – As a rookie three years ago, Luke Adam was a top prospect and budding star for the Sabres. The forward quickly became a Calder Trophy candidate, scoring three goals and six points in his first four games.

Adam, who often centered stars Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek, scored his 10th goal and 20th point in his 32nd game in 2011-12.

He never recorded another point that season.

By early that ... Read the full article

Jerry D’Amigo scored one NHL goal with Toronto. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres acquire Jerry D’Amigo from Blue Jackets for Luke Adam

BUFFALO – In a trade of AHL forwards, the Sabres today acquired Jerry D’Amigo from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Luke Adam.

D’Amigo has been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

“We feel that this was a good deal that gave both teams a player they were looking for,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement. “Jerry brings a tremendous work ethic to our organization and we know he’ll have an immediate impact ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth stops Columbus’ Artem Anisimov on Thursday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres hang around, fall late to Blue Jackets in opener

BUFFALO – At some point Thursday, as the Columbus Blue Jackets kept peppering shots on him, goalie Jhonas Enroth probably thought the new version of the Sabres looked a lot like the old one.

Like so many times last season, the Sabres performed like an ugly, disjointed mess for stretches, running around in their own zone as their opponent throttled them.

Some nice goaltending from Enroth kept the Sabres in their 44th season opener, ... Read the full article

Nick Deslauriers was a defenseman until last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Nick Deslauriers trying to build on breakout season

BUFFALO – The whole season, Sabres winger Nick Deslauriers said, “was pretty crazy.”

Barely a year ago, Deslauriers was a defenseman in Los Angeles’ organization. Three years into his career, he hadn’t played an NHL game. Then a forward shortage forced the Kings to make him a winger.

Suddenly, Deslauriers became a goal scorer up front, compiling 16 in 60 games for AHL Manchester.

That scoring prowess, coupled with his usual nasty edge, caught the ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart said he’s not too nervous about his NHL debut. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart ‘relaxed’ for NHL debut

BUFFALO – On the outside, top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart was a cool customer this morning. The 18-year-old calmly answered questions about his NHL debut in tonight’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I’m pretty relaxed now,” Reinhart said inside the First Niagara Center. “It seems like a usual morning. But there’s no question it’s the biggest so far of my life, so I’m pretty excited.”

Sabres coach Ted Nolan knows Reinhart, the No. ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers turned a corner last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Tyler Myers ready for new season: ‘I’m back to my normal self’

BUFFALO – Before the defensemen became Sabres teammates, they met about nine years ago, as Tyler Myers was beginning his junior career and Josh Gorges was leaving the Kelowna Rockets for professional hockey.

Gorges couldn’t believe the teenager’s lanky frame.

“He was 6-5, 6-6, but probably only 180 pounds,” Gorges, who will skate beside Myers in tonight’s season opener, recalled earlier this week. “I’m thinking, ‘They’re really high on this kid, he better fill out. ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan coached the first game in the First Niagara Center almost 18 years ago. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Opening night in Buffalo will be extra special for Sabres’ Ted Nolan

BUFFALO – Whether you’ve been in the NHL for 50 years or this is your first season, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said, “opening night’s always exciting.”

“Butterflies floating around like crazy,” Nolan said Wednesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets. “If it doesn’t happen, something’s going to be wrong.”

Tonight will be extra special for Nolan, who’s beginning his first full season as Sabres coach since 1996-97. He ... Read the full article

Cody Hodgson has six points in his last six games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson seeing results after using injury time to improve game

BUFFALO – Instead of merely rehabbing, Sabres center Cody Hodgson used his recent hand injury as an opportunity to recharge and revamp his slumping game.

The 23-year-old worked with the team’s skating coach during his eight-game absence. He said he also watched NHL games on TV to study other players.

So far, Hodgson has seen results. In six games since returning, he has three goals and six points entering tonight’s tilt in Columbus against the ... Read the full article