Tyler Myers just served a three-game suspension. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldTORONTO – Defenseman Tyler Myers’ absence was glaring during the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 4-3 home loss to Philadelphia. The Buffalo Sabres sorely needed a sturdy presence to calm the game down as the Flyers scored three times.
Myers, who returned from a three-game suspension in Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs, had been showcasing a steady, aggressive game prior to his ban.
“I think a lot of that is just bringing a confidence that you’re going to control the …
Pat LaFontaine smiles Tuesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The old school part of hockey, Pat LaFontaine said, is earning your keep. There has to be a standard. Players must perform consistently once they crack the NHL.
LaFontaine, a Hockey Hall of Famer, skated on the fourth line as a teenage NHL phenom. Legendary New York Islanders coach Al Arbour wouldn’t let him take a defensive-zone faceoff for years.
Former general manager Darcy Regier gave 19-year-old Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko a roster spot during the summer. The team’s new …
Pat LaFontaine talks this afternoon. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The old school part of hockey, Pat LaFontaine said, is earning your keep. There has to be a standard. Players must perform consistently once they crack the NHL.
The Sabres didn’t believe 19-year-old prospect Mikhail Grigorenko, who had been awarded a roster spot by the previous regime, was ready to play in the NHL, so they sent him back to junior Saturday.
“We’re doing what we think is best to develop our players and care for them and what they …
Drew Stafford hasn't played since Jan. 2. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan spoke bluntly Monday about 19-year-old prospect Mikhail Grigorenko, who refused an assignment to junior Saturday before accepting it a day later.
“We can’t control what people do and what they say, but we can certainly control how we’re going to run this organization and what we feel is necessary for the development of young players,” Nolan said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers inside the First Niagara Center. “The …
Mikhail Grigorenko changed his mind Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Interim coach Ted Nolan spoke bluntly today about prospect Mikhail Grigorenko, who initially refused the Sabres’ assignment to junior before accepting it late Sunday.
“We can’t control what people do and what they say, but we can certainly control how we’re going to run this organization and what we feel is necessary for the development of young players,” Nolan said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “The tail can’t wag the dog; the dog wags the tail.
“We feel …
Mikhail Grigorenko initially balked at leaving the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Prospect Mikhail Grigorenko has informed the Sabres he will be reporting to the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts.
The 19-year-old center initially refused the assignment to junior Saturday.
“He and I had talked about it quite a bit,” Jay Grossman, Grigorenko’s agent, told the Times Herald by phone late Sunday. “I think that it was fair to say there were some real serious concerns about the development process of this player. Going down to Quebec, he’ll have played for his seventh coach …
Ted Nolan has a junior background. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldInterim Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan said he had no inkling 19-year-old prospect Mikhail Grigorenko would refuse his assignment to the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts.
“Players will be disappointed when things like that happen,” Nolan said Sunday in Washington prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout win against the Capitals. “But no indication that he wouldn’t report.”
The Sabres sent the Russian center, a frequent healthy scratch, back to junior Saturday.
Nolan said general manager Tim Murray and president of hockey operations Pat LaFontaine are …
Mikhail Grigorenko feels he belongs in the NHL. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Interim coach Ted Nolan said Mikhail Grigorenko “was a little bit upset” when the Sabres told the 19-year-old prospect he was going back to the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts.
“But this is non-negotiable,” Nolan said Saturday inside the Riverside Ice Rink. “It’s one of those things that has to be done.”
The Sabres didn’t understand just how much the demotion irked the Russian center.
Grigorenko won’t be reporting to the junior club, his agent, Jay Grossman, told the Times Herald hours later. …
Mikhail Grigorenko was also sent back to junior last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Interim coach Ted Nolan said Mikhail Grigorenko “was a little bit upset” when the Sabres told the 19-year-old prospect he was going back to the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts.
“But this is non-negotiable,” Nolan said this morning inside the Riverside Ice Rink. “It’s one of those things that has to be done.”
Update: Grigorenko’s agent, Jay Grossman, confirmed to the Times Herald that Grigorenko won’t be reporting to the Remparts, something Le Soleil’s Kathleen Lavoie first reported. Grossman declined further comment …
Mikhail Grigorenko sat again Thursday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – In past world junior championship appearances, Sabres center Mikhail Grigorenko said he would’ve been concentrating solely on his offensive game.
“I didn’t really think about defense or penalty kills or faceoffs or winning battles,” the 19-year-old prospect said Thursday prior to sitting out the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers as a healthy scratch.
But Grigorenko feels he’s evolving. This year, while scoring five goals and eight points in seven games as Russia won bronze, he played differently.
“I …
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