WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Lindy Ruff postponed a scheduled off day Wednesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Everything’s becoming ugly very quickly for the reeling Sabres, whose season is already on the brink of collapsing after losing three straight contests and seven of the last eight.
Three wins and seven points through 10 games have them mired in last place in the Northeast Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference following Tuesday’s 4-3 defeat in Ottawa, a game they nearly roared back and tied.
Incredibly, depending how some other ... Read the full article
Pressure will only mount on Lindy Ruff if the Sabres keep losing. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The stumblebum Sabres have lost three straight contests and seven of eight. Tens tilts into the 48-game schedule, they have only three wins and seven points. They’re last in the Northeast Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference after falling 4-3 on Tuesday in Ottawa following a late rally.
After missing the playoffs last season and starting this campaign so wretchedly, should the Sabres be concerned changes are coming among the player ranks ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek scored his eighth goal Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It’s a fair question that won’t stop being asked until Sabres coach Lindy Ruff ups his minutes.
Why the heck is slick winger Thomas Vanek, the NHL’s most dynamic presence through two weeks with eight goals and a league-high 19 points, only playing 19:13 a game?
That time ranks 56th among NHL forwards. It’s second among Sabres forwards to linemate Jason Pominville’s 20:51 and sixth on the team.
“I’m happy with whatever ... Read the full article
Adam Pardy played five games in Rochester. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This morning, five Sabres who played in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Florida – Christian Ehrhoff, Marcus Foligno, Cody Hodgson, Steve Ott and Jason Pominville – didn’t skate during an optional workout inside the First Niagara Center.
“We got a couple guys that are nicked up that may be doubtful (for the Senators),” coach Lindy Ruff said after the Sabres prepared for Tuesday’s tilt in Ottawa.
Well, at least one probably won’t be playing ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek’s ice time ranks 56th among NHL forwards. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It’s a fair question that won’t stop being asked until Sabres coach Lindy Ruff ups his minutes.
Why the heck is slick winger Thomas Vanek, the NHL’s most dynamic presence through two weeks with eight goals and a league-high 19 points, only playing 19:13 a game?
That time ranks 56th among NHL forwards. It’s second among Sabres forwards to linemate Jason Pominville’s 20:51 and sixth overall.
“I’m happy with whatever I get,” ... Read the full article
Cody Hodgson missed this morning’s workout. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Five Sabres who played Sunday – Christian Ehrhoff, Marcus Foligno, Cody Hodgson, Steve Ott and Jason Pominville – didn’t skate during this morning’s optional workout inside the First Niagara Center.
“We got a couple guys that are nicked up that may be doubtful tomorrow,” coach Lindy Ruff said after the Sabres prepared for Tuesday’s tilt in Ottawa.
Right now, forward Matt Ellis is the Sabres’ only extra player. A recall could be coming.... Read the full article
Ryan Miller stops Tomas Kopecky in front moments before Brian Campbell’s game-winning goal Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres star Thomas Vanek dazzled again Sunday, scoring another goal and three more points. That’s a whopping eight goals and 19 points through two weeks for the slick Austrian.
But arguably the greatest individual start in the franchise’s 42-year history is being wasted.
The Sabres have dropped six of seven games (1-5-1) after blowing a 3-1 second-period lead and falling to the hapless Florida Panthers 4-3 on Sunday afternoon before 18,831 fans inside ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek began his point bonanza on opening day. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
The scoring benchmarks set during the only other lockout-shortened season – the 48-game 1994-95 campaign – are steep. The NHL hadn’t fully devolved into a clutch-and-grab league then.
Top scorers still racked up some pretty gaudy numbers.
Peter Bondra’s 34 goals, two more than Jaromir Jagr, topped the league. Jagr and Eric Lindros both scored 70 points. Ron Francis had 48 assists.
With an utterly dominant three-goal, five-point performance in the Buffalo Sabres’ dizzying ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko celebrates his first NHL goal Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Fifteen minutes after allowing the overtime winner in the Sabres’ shocking 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ryan Miller sat stewing in his stall inside the dressing room, staring straight ahead. The goalie still had his pads on. He barely moved.
Down the hallway, winning Leafs goalie James Reimer was riding an exercise bike sporting a wide grin.
His 29 saves had just bested the former Vezina Trophy winner Tuesday before 18,801 ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko won’t be returning to the Quebec Remparts. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If the Sabres had to decide Mikhail Grigorenko’s NHL fate back in September, then the team would’ve returned the 18-year-old rookie to junior, general manager Darcy Regier said.
But the lockout gave Grigorenko a unique opportunity to keep developing before the 48-game NHL season started.
The center dominated the QMJHL. His strong play with Team Russia during the recent world junior championship elevated his confidence to another level, Regier said.
The top prospect ... Read the full article
