Hackett - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Ryan Miller’s Sabres career could be over after Friday’s ugly exit

BUFFALO – Seriously, in the wake of Friday’s debacle, can the Sabres ever play Ryan Miller before the home crowd again? How ugly could it become inside the First Niagara Center?

With only three games left this season, the goalie’s 10-year career here looks finished. The Sabres’ embarrassing 8-4 loss to the New York Rangers sure felt like Miller’s 498^th and final appearance.

The fans’ love-hate relationship with Miller likely reached its breaking ... Read the full article

Amerks coach Cassidy says goalie Leggio should be considered for AHL MVP

BUFFALO – In 28-year-old No. 1 David Leggio, the Rochester Americans possess one of the AHL’s best goalies, a workhorse interim coach Chadd Cassidy thinks should be considered for the AHL’s MVP award.

But following the Sabres’ deadline trade with Minnesota last Wednesday, the Amerks received Matt Hackett, a strong prospect with NHL experience and three seasons as an AHL starter. The 23-year-old made 39 saves in a 3-2 shootout win Sunday, his first ... Read the full article

Goalie prospect Matt Hackett upbeat about future with Sabres

BUFFALO – Matt Hackett figured the Minnesota Wild would eventually trade a goaltending prospect. The team possessed two similar youngsters in the 23-year-old Hackett and Darcy Kuemper.

With Niklas Backstrom entrenched as the upstart Wild’s No. 1 goalie, there simply wasn’t room for everyone.

Still, when the Wild yanked him from the ice during the team’s morning skate Wednesday, Hackett “was pretty shocked,” he said.

“It just caught me off guard, I guess,” Hackett said ... Read the full article

Pominville calls trade from Sabres ‘a shock,’ makes Wild debut

BUFFALO – Jason Pominville felt his 11-year run with the Sabres organization could be ending. Before Wednesday’s trade deadline, the struggling team asked its captain to submit a list of eight clubs he could refuse a trade to. The Sabres, a colossal disappointment this season, seemed ripe for a major shakeup.

Still, when Sabres general manager Darcy Regier called Wednesday and said he had been traded to Minnesota, the star winger was shocked.

“It’s still ... Read the full article

Sabres thinking long-term after trading captain Pominville to Wild

BUFFALO – Instead of trading captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild before the deadline Wednesday, the 13^th-place Sabres could’ve tried staying in the playoff chase and acquiring another player to make a run at eighth place, general manager Darcy Regier said.

But the Sabres, whose owner, Terry Pegula, has spent tens of millions of dollars pursuing his championship dream, no longer embrace that kind of philosophy.

They’ve started thinking long-term.

“The preference ... Read the full article

Sabres shift focus to future after trading Pominville to Wild

BUFFALO – The Minnesota Wild first asked the Sabres about star winger Jason Pominville three weeks ago, general manager Darcy Regier.

When the Wild’s interest diminished, Regier still approached his captain for a list of eight teams he could refuse a trade to. Regier said he had “no real interest” in trading Pominville, although he wanted to keep his options open.

Then, Tuesday night, Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher, who had been talking with Regier ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres trade captain Pominville to Wild

BUFFALO – RDS is reporting the Sabres traded captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild this afternoon.

It’s believed winger Johan Larsson and goalie Matt Hackett are coming back to the Sabres.

Pominville said Tuesday in Pittsburgh he understood he could get dealt.

“I understand the business of things,” Pominville said. “I understand (general manager) Darcy (Regier) has a job to do, and he’s trying to do his best to do what’s best for the ... Read the full article