Linus Ullmark dressed for his first NHL game Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – If Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark had suffered any setbacks in his rehab following double-hip surgery in April, the worst-case scenario would’ve been a return to the ice in January.
But the Swede, 22, recovered quickly enough to join full practices a month ago and earn three starts with the Rochester Americans this month.
Ullmark dazzled in the AHL, making 38 saves in his debut and 43 on Wednesday. Now, just three games into his North American career, he’s already in …
Brian Flynn left the Sabres in March. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Having played in Montreal as a member of the Sabres, forward Brian Flynn knew about the city’s passionate support for the Canadiens.
Then Flynn, 27, really experienced the electric atmosphere inside the Bell Centre after the Sabres traded him to the Habs for a fifth-round pick prior to the March 2 deadline.
“The playoffs last year, I just remember sitting in the locker room and you could hear the whole entire building shaking before you even went out on the …
Ted Nolan was fired Sunday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The odds, of course, were stacked against Ted Nolan succeeding in his second run as Sabres coach, which ended with his firing Sunday night, less than a day after a 30th-place finish.
Nolan wasn’t truly Tim Murray’s guy. Sure, the general manager awarded him a three-year contract late last season. But old friend Pat LaFontaine hired Nolan as interim coach early in 2013-14 before leaving months later.
Perhaps Murray felt obligated to keep the popular coach for a trial or …
Ted Nolan signed a three-year contract last year. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – In a not-so-surprising move, the Sabres fired Ted Nolan tonight, ending the popular coach’s second run here.
The rebuilding Sabres just finished the season 30th overall.
In addition, the team also fired assistant coach Danny Flynn and won’t renew the contracts of assistants Bryan Trottier and Tom Coolen.
Stay tuned for more details.
Update: General manager Tim Murray said he decided to fire Nolan today after six hours of interviews with players.
“I’ve said all along I want to improve this team every …
Marcus Foligno was playing some of his best hockey ever in December. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Given the Sabres’ sorry state these days, it’s almost difficult to remember now. But for a brief stretch earlier this season, they morphed into a young team on the rise, winning a string of exciting games in dramatic fashion.
The rebuilding club triumphed 10 times in 13 games – they have only 20 victories in 75 outings all season – during a rollicking run in November and December, roaring back night after night.
The Sabres were never out of any …
Chad Ruhwedel hasn't played in the NHL this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Get ready to see another defenseman play for the Sabres. With Zach Bogosian and Andrej Meszaros injured, the club will likely recall Chad Ruhwedel from Rochester for tonight’s tilt against the Washington Capitals, coach Ted Nolan said.
The 24-year-old Ruhwedel would be the 11th defenseman to dress for the Sabres this year.
Update: The Sabres have officially recalled Ruhwedel.
Bogosian’s lower-body injury hasn’t improved, Nolan said. Meanwhile, Meszaros, who hurt his hand blocking a shot March 7, banged another part of …
Phil Varone skates Wednesday inside HarborCenter. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Prior to Phil Varone’s 19th NHL game Tuesday, the Sabres center couldn’t find his No. 84 written on the board with the team’s new line combinations.
The 24-year-old looked again and found it an unexpected spot.
“I didn’t see it at the top,” Varone said Wednesday following practice inside HarborCenter. “It was pretty surreal, obviously. I was in the AHL three weeks ago. It’s just pretty special.”
Yes, Varone, who has three goals and four points in his short career, is …
Chris Stewart joined Minnesota on Monday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The Sabres’ deals before Monday’s trade deadline stripped the NHL’s worst team of four assets. Gone are starting goalie Michal Neuvirth, first-line winger Chris Stewart and centers Brian Flynn and Torrey Mitchell, two checkers thrust into bigger roles thanks to the rebuilding team’s shortage of talent.
In return, the Sabres received, well, nothing very notable or of immediate help. Only one NHL player, backup goalie Chad Johnson, came back. They also added four draft picks – a second, third, …
Brian Flynn (65) battles for the puck witn Philadelphia's Ryan White earlier this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Less than three years ago, Brian Flynn was an undrafted and mostly unknown youngster at the University of Maine. The versatile forward’s signing with the Sabres barely registered with the fan base.
But Flynn quickly and quietly worked himself into a strong NHL prospect.
After less than a season in Rochester, Flynn debuted with the Sabres in 2012-13. The 26-year-old played regularly until they dealt him to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday for a fifth-round pick in 2016 hours before …
Tim Murray talks to the media this afternoon. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Here are some highlights from Sabres general manager Tim Murray’s chat with the media after making four deals before the 3 p.m. trade deadline.
The deals netted the Sabres one NHL player, backup goalie Chad Johnson. Centers Brian Flynn and Torrey Mitchell, goalie Michal Neuvirth and winger Chris Stewart were traded.
On what type of day it was:
“Was it a good day? It’s never a good day to give good people away. I talked to them all. They all understand …
Short 36 years later. Randy Cunneyworth Sabres player personnel and Adam Creighton Bruins scout. #ottawa67s https://t.co/gH4x78z3cm
