Larsson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ reassignment of youngsters represents culture change

BUFFALO – Development time used to be mandatory. Before Mikhail Grigorenko cracked the lineup last season, the Sabres hadn’t played an 18-year-old regularly since Pierre Turgeon in 1987-88. Most of their top prospects spent at least one full season in the minors.

But former general manager Darcy Regier, who was fired with coach Ron Rolston last week, dramatically switched philosophies earlier this year as the Sabres started rebuilding.

The struggling Sabres recently became the first ... Read the full article

Veterans happy to see Sabres reassign youngsters: ‘It’s about earning the spot’

BUFFALO – In veteran defenseman Henrik Tallinder’s mind, the Sabres’ old regime handed out too many roster spots to undeserving youngsters. Interim coach Ted Nolan and his boss, Pat LaFontaine, know that. They’re working to correct those past mistakes.

“It’s not about getting the spot; it’s about earning the spot,” Tallinder said this morning inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres reassigned four rookies, three of them teenagers. “It used to be like that ... Read the full article

Report: Mikhail Grigorenko sent back to junior; Sabres tough guy John Scott regrets ‘Princess Phaneuf’ comment

BUFFALO – In a not-so-surprising move, the Sabres sent 19-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko back to the Quebec Remparts late Monday, according to RDS, a Canadian sports network.

Grigorenko has been scratched both games under interim coach Ted Nolan, who has strongly hinted he doesn’t think the Sabres should have four teenagers on the roster.

UPDATE: Grigorenko was just seen leaving the building this morning. Rookie defenseman Nikita Zadorov isn’t on the ice and has ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino on old regime: ‘I didn’t know who makes the decisions’

TORONTO – His position doesn’t matter, Buffalo Sabres center Ville Leino said. The Finn can play in the middle or on both wings. Leino cares about his ice time and responsibility.

The 30-year-old enjoyed little of either under former coach Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday with general manager Darcy Regier.

Leino has struggled as a third- or fourth-line winger most of this season. Rolston even scratched him recently.

But in Friday’s 3-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov wants to stay: ‘I think I’m ready to play in the NHL’

TORONTO – In late September, when Buffalo Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov signed his entry-level contract, former general manager Darcy Regier said junior hockey was the 18-year-old defenseman’s likely destination this season.

Two days later, Zadorov cut his finger during the Sabres’ preseason finale, shelving him for weeks. After he healed, the rebuilding team began playing him.

Now, the Sabres must decide whether to keep him or send him back to the Ontario Hockey League’s London ... Read the full article

Pat LaFontaine’s phone call to Ted Nolan left Sabres coach speechless

BUFFALO – It was going to be a special weekend trip to New York. Ted Nolan and his wife, Sandra, would celebrate her birthday and watch their son, Jordan, play for the Los Angeles Kings.

Nolan also wanted to see “The Book of Mormon” musical on Broadway. So he recently called Pat LaFontaine, a close friend with a ticket connection.

“I said, ‘Teddy, you better get ready for the show. It’s a pretty interesting show,’” ... Read the full article

Robyn Regehr thriving with Kings, grateful for time with Sabres

BUFFALO – Robyn Regehr and the rest of the Kings had a team function at the Los Angeles Zoo last week, at a time when the city’s infamous traffic was awful.

The players all got there, albeit two and a half hours late.

“Very different living,” Regehr said Tuesday prior to the Kings’ 3-2 shootout loss inside the First Niagara Center, the defenseman’s first game here since the Sabres traded him for two second-round draft ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino set to return, not sure why he was scratched

BUFFALO – So, does Sabres winger Ville Leino know why coach Ron Rolston scratched him for Friday’s 6-2 loss in Anaheim?

“Not really,” Leino, who will return tonight against the Los Angeles Kings, said after skating this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Can Leino, who has one point and one shot in seven games, guess why he sat?

“There’s no point guessing,” he said. “I don’t know if it really matters at this ... Read the full article

Ron Rolston switches up Sabres’ lines

BUFFALO – Top NHL lines rarely get benched long, especially on anemic teams with little or no depth.

So why did coach Ron Rolston sit the Matt Moulson, Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis trio the final 26 minutes of the Sabres’ 6-2 loss Friday in Anaheim.

“I’m not going to discuss that,” Rolston said Monday inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s contest against the Los Angeles Kings.

As expected, ... Read the full article

Struggling Sabres make rookies dance; Nikita Zadorov to make NHL debut soon

BUFFALO – One by one they danced, each Sabres rookie taking a turn at center ice as teammates laughed and cheered following Friday’s practice inside the First Niagara Center.

Johan Larsson showcased, well, all sorts of crazy moves, including some breakdancing. Zemgus Girgensons twerked like Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards.

“Twerking on skates, that’ll be the first time,” Sabres winger Tyler Ennis said.

When you’re 1-7-1 and hours removed from a shutout ... Read the full article