Linus Omark skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan wants to give Linus Omark ‘benefit of the doubt’ after weak Sabres debut

TORONTO – Ted Nolan wasn’t too impressed with Linus Omark’s Buffalo Sabres debut in Saturday’s 4-1 loss in Boston.

But the interim coach doesn’t want to judge the flashy winger from one game.

“We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt the first time, jet lagged and getting to a new team and having the flu,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Maple ... Read the full article

John Scott played defense part of Monday’s win. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Flu bug forces the Sabres to play short-handed, utilize tough guy John Scott

BUFFALO – Good thing the NHL’s three-day Christmas break begins today. A flu bug ravaging through the Sabres forced them to dress only 16 skaters for Monday’s 2-1 overtime win against the Phoenix Coyotes inside the First Niagara Center.

The Sabres scratched forwards Marcus Foligno, Ville Leino and Linus Omark and defenseman Alexander Sulzer, all of whom played Saturday.

With just 10 forwards available, interim coach Ted Nolan switched tough guy John Scott, a winger ... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk readies for a shot this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Several Sabres under weather prior to game against Coyotes

BUFFALO – The flu bug is going around the Sabres, so several players couldn’t even get to the rink this morning, interim coach Ted Nolan said.

It’s unclear what the lineup will look like tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes inside the First Niagara Center.

“We’re hoping that they’re ready to go,” Nolan said. “Four or five called in this morning and said they couldn’t make it out of bed. So we’re hoping by game time ... Read the full article

The Sabres acquired Linus Omark from Edmonton on Thursday. ©2013, Bridget Samuels

Ted Nolan on Linus Omark’s Sabres debut: ‘He has to be better’

Interim coach Ted Nolan wasn’t too impressed with winger Linus Omark’s Sabres debut in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Bruins.

“Eh, he has to be better,” Nolan told reporters in Boston.

Omark’s hooking penalty 9:07 into the game led to Reilly Smith’s power-play goal. The 26-year-old also set up Matt Ellis in front nicely early and nearly potted Ellis’ rebound in front late in the game.

“We’ll give him a checkmark for just getting here ... Read the full article

Cody Hodgson blocked a shot Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Linus Omark to meet Sabres in Boston; Cody Hodgson possibly out weeks

BUFFALO – Newly acquired winger Linus Omark will meet the Sabres later today in Boston and play Saturday against the Bruins, interim coach Ted Nolan said.

“He’ll take a spot in the lineup,” Nolan said after the Sabres’ brief practice this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m not 100 percent sure exactly where we’ll put him yet. But he’ll play tomorrow night.”

The Sabres dealt a conditional sixth-round draft pick to Edmonton on Thursday ... Read the full article

Drew Stafford (right) celebrates his go-ahead goal Thursday with Christian Ehrhoff. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres score 4 goals again, beat Bruins for second straight regulation win

BUFFALO – Break ‘em up. Not only have the Sabres won consecutive games in regulation for the first time all season, they’ve scored eight goals while wowing crowds again inside a lively First Niagara Center.

The Sabres had eight goals in their previous seven games before starting this mini-streak.

Thursday’s 4-2 triumph versus the Boston Bruins might’ve been the best of their nine victories this trying season.

Against the class of the Eastern Conference, Drew ... Read the full article

Pat LaFontaine is acting as general manager while he searches for one. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres acquire Linus Omark from Oilers for draft pick

BUFFALO – The Sabres tonight acquired winger Linus Omark from the Edmonton Oilers for a conditional sixth-round draft pick in 2014.

The flashy 26-year-old has eight goals, 30 points and 34 penalty minutes in 88 NHL contests.

The pick, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, is based on the number of NHL games the Swede plays.

The Oilers drafted Omark 97th overall in 2007. He played last season in Switzerland before returning to North America.... Read the full article