Konopka - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Don’t be shocked if Sabres pass on Canisius product Cory Conacher (update: OK, maybe they won’t)

Hey, winger Cory Conacher might fit in pretty well in Buffalo. The 24-year-old Canisius product has four goals and 20 points in 59 games this season. Only five Sabres have more points.

The Ottawa Senators waived Conacher today, immediately igniting speculation the Sabres, who have the first claim thanks to their 30^th overall ranking, would grab him.

On the surface, it seems like a natural fit. Conacher’s the most decorated local NCAA product ever. ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth ready to seize starting job with Ryan Miller gone

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller is gone. Jaroslav Halak, the goalie the Sabres received in Friday’s blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Blues, will be an unrestricted free agent following the season. He could be dealt within days.

For now, Jhonas Enroth, Miller’s backup for three seasons, will shoulder the load down the stretch, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

The 25-year-old Swede finally has an opportunity to become a No. 1 goalie.

“If you ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Christian Ehrhoff has submitted no-trade list; Tyler Ennis out again

BUFFALO – With the NHL trade deadline five days away and rumors swirling, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan has started greeting captain Steve Ott in a special way.

“You don’t want to make light of it, but every day I walk in and say, ‘Steve, you still here?’” Nolan joked this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I talked to Tyler Myers on the ice today. His name popped up in the newspapers yesterday. I ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller focusing on what could be last start in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller knows most NHL cities can’t offer what this one has for 11 seasons. The Sabres goalie hasn’t just played for a team; he’s felt a part of something special in the community.

But right now isn’t the time to reflect, Miller said Thursday. He’s still with the Sabres. The former Vezina Trophy winner wants to focus on his 533^rd start tonight against the San Jose Sharks.

Still, with the NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller appreciative of fans and support from Buffalo over career

BUFFALO – Right now isn’t the time to look back, Ryan Miller said. The franchise goalie is playing Friday, his 533^rd start with the Sabres.

Still, the 33-year-old, who’s usually thoughtful, couldn’t help himself during a nearly 10-minute chat with the media this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

With the NHL trade deadline just six days away, Miller knows Friday could be his last game here.

“It’s kind played out for a little ... Read the full article

Late-game heroics help Sabres down Bruins, earn Jhonas Enroth rare win

BUFFALO – Having just won an Olympic silver medal, Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth could finally find some comfort in an otherwise miserable season. Sure, the struggling backup had just one win all year, but he had been Sweden’s No. 2 netminder behind Henrik Lundqvist, his idol.

Perhaps Enroth’s two weeks at the Sochi Games generated some much-needed confidence. The 25-year-old dazzled at times Wednesday, making some brilliant saves against the Boston Bruins before a capacity ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka ready to play after finger surgery; Tyler Ennis out tonight

BUFFALO – In Minnesota’s fifth game of the season Oct. 12, Sabres center Zenon Konopka broke his left pinky finger. Still, he wouldn’t leave the lineup. He even fought six times with the injury.

Finally, Konopka, a waiver pickup from the Wild last month, underwent surgery during the Olympic break.

“It was bugging me quite a bit,” Konopka, who will return tonight against the Boston Bruins, said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “So ... Read the full article

Sabres tough guy John Scott subs as defenseman; Cody McCormick returns from finger injury

BUFFALO – A day after Ted Nolan told him to leave the ice for practicing poorly, John Scott said he and the interim Sabres coach are “fine now.”

In fact, the tough guy, a regular winger, played defense Tuesday, his natural position.

“I’m surprised that that happened,” Scott said prior to the Sabres’ 3-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes inside the First Niagara Center. “It was kind of a weird event. I’ve never seen ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody McCormick ready to return from finger injury

BUFFALO – Hard-nosed forward Cody McCormick, the Sabres’ most prolific fighter, understands injuries accompany his role.

“For me, I think if you’re not hurt, you’re not really playing in my role,” McCormick said Sunday. “I think everybody that’s in my role is bumped or bruised, something like that.”

McCormick has been hurt most of the season, missing 32 games, including the last 24 with a finger injury.

The 30-year-old will return tonight against ... Read the full article

Sabres tough guy John Scott ‘fine’ with Ted Nolan after practice incident, set to play defense tonight

BUFFALO – A day after Ted Nolan told him to leave the ice for practicing poorly, John Scott said he and the interim Sabres coach are “fine now.”

In fact, the tough guy, a regular winger, will play defense tonight, his natural position.

“I’m surprised that that happened,” Scott said about the incident this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “It was kind of a weird event. I’ve never seen that happen before in ... Read the full article