Tyler Ennis left Sunday’s game early. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ennis ‘dinged up’ from Simmonds hit, not concussed

BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis, whose face was crunched into the boards by Wayne Simmonds 15:48 into the Sabres’ 3-2 loss Sunday in Philadelphia, missed practice Monday and is day-to-day, interim coach Ron Rolston said.

“He’s a little dinged up,” Rolston said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s contest against the New York Rangers inside the First Niagara Center.

Ennis, who left the game, didn’t suffer a concussion, Rolston said. The slick center received some stitches ... Read the full article

Adam Pardy played four times during his recall. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres send Pardy back to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent defenseman Adam Pardy back to the Rochester Americans on Sunday to make room for Jordan Leopold on the 23-man roster.

Leopold was a late scratch for the Sabres’ 3-2 loss in Philadelphia, the 10th straight game he’s missed.

Pardy played four games during his recall, recording zero points and eight penalty minutes. He had been scratched two straight games.... Read the full article

Jhonas Enroth played well Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres could turn to Enroth again following strong effort

BUFFALO – Tonight in Philadelphia, Jhonas Enroth will take a backseat to goalie Ryan Miller again, a place the backup is well accustomed to.

With Miller entrenched as the franchise netminder and Enroth struggling, the 24-year-old has only played sporadically this lockout-shortened season.

The original plan called for Enroth to spell Miller regularly, start about 10 or 12 of the 48 games. So far, 25 tilts into the season, the Swede has only earned three ... Read the full article

Andrej Sekera could play Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Pardy could play Sunday; Sekera getting close

BUFFALO – The Sabres could change their blue line up for Sunday’s tilt in Philadelphia against the Flyers.

Defenseman Adam Pardy, a healthy scratch the past two contests, practiced on a regular pairing this morning inside Riverside Ice Rink. So did Andrej Sekera, at least briefly.

Sekera, who left Thursday’s 3-2 shootout loss in New Jersey and didn’t practice Friday, skated beside Robyn Regehr, his regular partner, until the Sabres began battle drills.

The Slovak ... Read the full article

T.J. Brennan has been a healthy scratch frequently this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie T.J. Brennan gets another chance to shine

In seven NHL games this season, Buffalo Sabres defenseman T.J. Brennan has zero points and 14 shots on goal (how many have missed the net?) while averaging 14:11 on the ice each appearance.

After scoring 14 goals and 35 points in 36 games with Rochester this season, Brennan has underwhelmed mightily.

If the 23-year-old didn’t have to clear waivers, he likely would’ve been returned to the AHL. Instead, rather than risk losing him, the Sabres ... Read the full article

Adam Pardy played for the Sabres on Feb. 5. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres summon Pardy from Rochester with Sulzer sidelined

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ injury and on-ice woes could help defenseman Adam Pardy, an NHL regular before numbers kicked him back to the minors this season, carve out a spot on the blue line.

With Jordan Leopold (hand) and Alexander Sulzer (lower body) sidelined, the Sabres on Monday summoned Pardy from Rochester for the second time this season.

He should play tonight in Tampa Bay against the Lightning, the start of a two-game Florida ... Read the full article

An undisclosed injury will shelve Alexander Sulzer (52) Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ron Rolston: ‘We’re still hoping’ to win

BUFFALO – Right now, the belief among the reeling, 15th-place Sabres is low. With very few positives to build on during their four-game losing streak, the Sabres are simply hoping to win games, interim coach Ron Rolston said this morning.

“There’s two things,” Rolston said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “You go into hockey games and some teams hope they’re going to win, and some teams know they’re going to win ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek is sitting out practice this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Vanek missing from practice; Sabres recall Pardy with Sulzer sidelined

BUFFALO – Leading scorer Thomas Vanek and defenseman Alexander Sulzer, who left Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders, are missing from Sabres practice this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

With Sulzer (lower body) and defenseman Jordan Leopold (hand) sidelined, the Sabres have recalled Adam Pardy from Rochester. He’s practicing.

Stay tuned for updates. Vanek’s known for getting beat up and resting occasionally. Tough guy John Scott is practicing in Vanek’s place ... Read the full article

This season hasn’t been easy for Lindy Ruff. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres possess slew of underachievers in disappointing season

BUFFALO – On the surface, it sounds like a dynamic early-season combination. Goalie Ryan Miller locked in, on top of his game. Twenty-two goals and 49 points from the Sabres’ top line, highlighted by 11 scores and 23 points from superstar Thomas Vanek.

Well, it’s added up to a 5-7-1 record, 11 points and a last-place Northeast Division standing entering tonight’s tilt in Ottawa against the Senators.

The defense, the Sabres’ supposed strength, is ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek’s scoring pace would be high for a normal 82-game season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres can’t rely on Vanek’s sizzling production forever

BUFFALO – Follow Sabres superstar Thomas Vanek’s dynamic run closely. Enjoy watching the nifty goals, the points and knowing each time he steps on the ice something special could happen.

This might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. NHL players just don’t score at Vanek’s torrid pace anymore.

The slick Austrian already has 10 goals and 21 points through 10 appearances, a stat line from eras past. He’s on track for 47 goals and 99 points in ... Read the full article