Ryan Miller has played 14 games with St. Louis. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Blues goalie Ryan Miller won’t play against old Sabres teammates

Sorry, Buffalo fans. Thirty-four days after the blockbuster trade between the Sabres and Blues, star goalie Ryan Miller has earned a well-deserved break tonight against his old club in St. Louis.

Backup Brian Elliott will replace Miller.

Of course, the Blues also have former captain Steve Ott, another key piece of the deal. Expect the agitating winger, who didn’t practice Wednesday, to have some fun and try to get under the Sabres’ skin.... Read the full article

Ryan Miller has been facing fewer shots in St. Louis. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabres goalie Ryan Miller relied on less with Blues, still adjusting to new team

TORONTO – Nights like Tuesday are acceptable now. Former Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller wasn’t dynamic in the St. Louis Blues’ 5-3 victory against the Maple Leafs. He looked average, even a bit shaky at times while making only 22 saves.

But Miller doesn’t have to be perfect these days. The 33-year-old’s tending goal for the NHL’s best team, not its worst.

Miller is 8-2-1 since the blockbuster Feb. 28 deal sent the franchise goalie ... Read the full article

Steve Ott has won 10 of the 13 games he’s played with St. Louis. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabres captain Steve Ott happy with Blues, ready for Stanley Cup run

TORONTO – Steve Ott is no longer the guy, just one piece of arguably the NHL’s deepest club, the powerhouse St. Louis Blues. Of course, the popular former Buffalo Sabres captain knew he was joining a special team.

But how good is St. Louis?

Tuesday’s 5-3 win against Maple Leafs was the Blues’ 10th victory in 13 games since acquiring Ott and franchise goalie Ryan Miller on Feb. 28.

Ott won only 17 of ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff’s Dallas Stars visit the Sabres on Oct. 28. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ 2013-14 schedule features familiar faces, fewer back-to-backs

BUFFALO – Sabres fans won’t have to wait long to see some familiar faces back at the First Niagara Center in different colors next season.

An Oct. 14 game against former Sabres captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild and an Oct. 28 contest versus ex-coach Lindy Ruff and the Dallas Stars are among the highlights of the 82-game schedule the NHL released Friday.

The Sabres open their 43rd season Oct. 2 in ... Read the full article

Former captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild visit the Sabres on Oct. 14. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ 2013-14 schedule features new opponents and old friends

BUFFALO – Sabres fans won’t have to wait long to see some familiar faces back at the First Niagara Center for the first time next season.

An Oct. 14 game against former Sabres captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild and an Oct. 28 contest versus ex-coach Lindy Ruff and the Dallas Stars are among the highlights of the 82-game slate the NHL released this afternoon.

The Sabres open their 43rd season Oct. ... Read the full article

Two years ago, the Sabres signed Ville Leino, a winger, to a six-year, $27 million contract to play center. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres likely won’t pursue big names during free agency

BUFFALO – The focus during free agency, general manager Darcy Regier said, will be on adding supporting pieces to the Sabres’ younger core group. The crazy spending of the past appears to be over, at least for this summer.

So, when free agency opens at noon today, don’t expect the Sabres to wildly overpay or overreach for any Ville Leino-types again. And don’t expect them to throw tens of millions of dollars at any ... Read the full article

Darcy Regier should be busy today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

With 10 picks and stars to deal, draft day could dramatically change rebuilding Sabres

NEWARK, N.J. – By tonight, following what promises to be a busy, even chaotic day at the NHL Entry Draft inside the Prudential Center, the Buffalo Sabres could be radically reshaped for the future.

With four of the first 52 picks in a deep draft, including the eighth and 16th selections, the Sabres should nab some elite prospects. But general manager Darcy Regier’s rebuild goes beyond simply adding draft picks.

Starting goalie Ryan Miller ... Read the full article

Steve Ott knows the Sabres need help to make the playoffs. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres know a loss to Rangers would likely end playoff hopes

BUFFALO – The Sabres have shattered the widespread belief they would finish a lost season meekly and perhaps contend for a lottery pick instead of making an unlikely run at the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.

In dealing captain Jason Pominville and two other respected veterans for draft picks and prospects prior to the April 3 trade deadline, general manager Darcy Regier openly talked about the future and shifting the focus to next season.

The ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers played 39 games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres down to five defensemen after Tyler Myers’ season-ending leg injury

BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers absorbed P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point with his leg.

After blocking the lethal shot, Myers hobbled off seconds later when the Canadiens converted their five-on-three power play.

The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.

Following the contest, Myers found ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers’ season ended Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Tyler Myers’ season-ending leg injury leaves Sabres’ defense depleted

BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers laid out on the ice, blocking P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point.

Myers got up and hobbled off seconds later after the Canadiens scored on the five-on-three power play.

The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.

Following the game, Myers ... Read the full article