Jhonas Enroth will start tonight. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldMONTREAL – Shortly after he took over the Buffalo Sabres, interim coach Ted Nolan said he wanted to play franchise goalie Ryan Miller as much as he could. Sure enough, backup Jhonas Enroth sat two weeks between starts.
But Enroth’s 23-save performance in the Sabres’ 1-0 overtime loss last Saturday in New Jersey impressed Nolan, who didn’t like the Swede’s first start Nov. 16.
Enroth will start tonight against the Canadiens, a team he’s 3-0 against with a 2.33 goals-against average and …
Ryan Miller could be tending goal somewhere else this season.. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldMONTREAL – Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said he’s heard lots of talk about the franchise’s future before.
In less than a year, Miller has gone from backstopping a veteran team built to contend for the Stanley Cup to being the lone bright spot on a rebuilding club already regarded as one of the worst in NHL history.
So the 33-year-old, an unrestricted free agent following the season, wants more than words from the Sabres as he decides his future.
“It’s about action …
Ryan Miller has spoken honestly about his future. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said he’s heard lots of talk about the franchise’s future before.
But at this point, months away from becoming an unrestricted free agent, the 33-year-old wants more than words.
“It’s about action at this point,” Miller said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m not going to sit around and let promises get thrown around.”
Miller said he’s had some talks with Pat LaFontaine, the president of hockey operations – “Just exploratory, just get …
The New York Rangers' Derick Brassard tries to beat Ryan Miller on Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Finally, about seven minutes into the third period Thursday, Cody Hodgson briefly generated some excitement for the 18,088 fans inside the First Niagara Center, slickly undressing Ryan McDonagh before roaring in on a partial breakaway.
But New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stoned Hodgson, and a second later the center tripped star Rick Nash.
Brad Richards scored on the ensuing power play, building the Rangers’ lead to 2-0.
It was one of those nights. One of the hapless Sabres’ best scoring …
Trade rumors haven been swirling around Ryan Miller. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – In Ted Nolan’s mind, franchise goalie Ryan Miller, an unrestricted free agent following the season, is more of a building block for the struggling Sabres than an asset.
“You build around him versus as a pawn to try to get something to make you better,” the interim coach said Wednesday. “You learn to deal with the now as a coach, and we got one of the better goaltenders in the world here. I’d like to build around him, myself.”
Is …
Ryan Miller will be a free agent following the season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – In Ted Nolan’s mind, franchise goalie Ryan Miller, an unrestricted free agent following the season, is more of a building block for the Sabres than an asset.
“You build around him versus as a pawn to try to get something to make you better,” the interim coach said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “You learn to deal with the now as a coach, and we got one of the better goaltenders in the world here. …
Jhonas Enroth has only one win this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Right now, Jhonas Enroth’s frustration extends beyond losing games with the Sabres. The backup goalie is also losing ground in his battle to earn a spot on Sweden’s Olympic roster for the upcoming Sochi Games.
“Personally, other Swedish goalies are winning right now,” Enroth said Monday following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s all stressing me out actually a little bit, not too much. Obviously, you think about the Olympics and you want to make that team.
“It’s tough …
Matt D'Agostini watches Christian Ehrhoff's game-winning goal go past Toronto goalie James Reimer on Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – It wasn’t a normal postgame NHL salute. Then again, the Sabres’ exciting 3-2 overtime triumph against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday wasn’t a normal game.
Leafs fans, who normally comprise at least half the raucous crowd when Toronto visits the First Niagara Center, outnumbered Sabres fans perhaps three to one in the capacity crowd of 19,070.
They ruled the building, chanting loudly all night.
So when the Sabres skated to center ice and raised their sticks after Christian Ehrhoff’s winner …
Mikhail Grigorenko should play Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – These aren’t regular healthy scratches. Interim coach Ted Nolan, who’s been charged with evaluating and developing the Sabres’ young lineup, wants some of his prospects to sit occasionally.
So center Mikhail Grigorenko and defenseman Brayden McNabb will be scratched tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.
Both should play Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, however.
“I’m not unhappy,” Nolan said this morning about Grigorenko’s play. “It’s just when you develop a young guy like that, once …
Montreal's P.K. Subban (76) knocks down Steve Ott on Wednesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Tyler Ennis said he was simply trying to hit his spot on the Sabres’ set breakout. Both wingers are supposed to loop. He had no intention of trying to pick Ryan White.
“All of a sudden he was going to my ice,” Ennis said Wednesday following the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, their fifth straight defeat.
With the Sabres down 2-1 with 2:58 remaining, a referee whistled Ennis for interference, giving the Canadiens’ lethal power play an opportunity …
My story on how Jamie McBain's solid play cost him playing time and why he approached Ted Nolan http://t.co/Pq4VXgZV36 #Sabres #Buffalo