Porter - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Zemgus Girgensons finally adding offense to repertoire

BUFFALO – With 8:12 left in the second period of Sunday’s preseason opener, Sabres prospect Zemgus Girgensons grabbed Kevin Porter’s pass off the boards at the Montreal blue line and zoomed in down the right wing.

A second later, the tenacious 19-year-old whistled a quick wrist shot past goalie Zachary Fucale’s glove from the faceoff dot, the second goal of his NHL preseason debut.

“I was pretty happy with myself,” Girgensons, who scored short-handed earlier ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Zemgus Girgensons starting to showcase offensive ability

A second later, the Latvian whistled a shot by goalie Zachary Fucale’s glove from the faceoff dot, the second goal of his NHL preseason debut.

“I was pretty happy with myself,” Girgensons said this afternoon inside the First Niagara ... Read the full article

Last four Sabres No. 1 picks to play tonight; Rasmus Ristolainen set for debut

BUFFALO – Four No. 1 picks from the last two years, including both 2013 selections, defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, will skate for the Sabres in tonight’s preseason opener in Montreal.

Expect to see the rebuilding Sabres showcase plenty of youth throughout the seven-game exhibition schedule, coach Ron Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

“There’s going to be a lot of opportunity for those players, and they’re going to get a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Enroth grounds Lightning in second consecutive start

BUFFALO – This two-day stretch hardly mirrored the last time Sabres backup goalie Jhonas Enroth earned consecutive starts for a healthy Ryan Miller.

Back in November 2011, Enroth sported an eight-game winning streak as Miller was beginning a wretched three-month slump. The Swede’s second nod ignited a goaltending controversy.

These days, Miller’s entrenched as the No. 1 goalie. Enroth, meanwhile, recently regained the dynamic form he showcased early during his rookie season.

If the ... Read the full article

Kevin Porter establishing himself as one of Sabres’ top forwards

BUFFALO – Ten years ago, Ron Rolston wanted Kevin Porter to come play at Boston College. The interim Sabres coach, then an NCAA assistant, recruited the teenage hockey star, even talked to his father a little bit.

Ultimately, Porter stayed in his home state, becoming a collegiate legend at Michigan. Rolston, meanwhile, took over Team USA’s development program shortly after Porter left.

Their paths crossed again in July.

Porter’s career had hit a rut after ... Read the full article

Amerks captain Matt Ellis transitioning from Sabres back to AHL

BUFFALO – Reminders of the Sabres’ recent roster overhaul are all over Matt Ellis’ Clarence neighborhood.

Each day, the hardworking forward drives by “For Sale” signs in front of the homes Jordan Leopold and Jason Pominville recently left. When Ellis picks up neighbor Cody McCormick, instead of going downtown, the teammates drive 75 miles down the thruway to Rochester, their new playing home.

“The only one left in our neighborhood is (Thomas Vanek),” Ellis, ... Read the full article

After early struggles, Amerks improving under new coach Cassidy

BUFFALO – Under normal circumstances, Chadd Cassidy’s transition to becoming the Rochester Americans’ bench boss would’ve been “a lot easier,” the interim coach said.

On Feb. 20, Cassidy, then Ron Rolston’s top assistant, was going through his regular routine inside the Blue Cross War Memorial, preparing for a game against the Texas Stars that night.

Hours later, Cassidy was the Amerks’ new coach.

In summoning Rolston to replace Lindy Ruff on an interim basis, ... Read the full article

Sabres stun Penguins, end 15-game winning streak

PITTSBURGH – The stunning victory might serve as one final reminder of the potential the 2012-13 Buffalo Sabres possess.

On Tuesday, the reeling Sabres limped into Consol Energy Center losers of four straight, just hours away from a possible fire sale before the trade deadline hits at 3 p.m. today.

The mighty Penguins, winners of 15 straight, awaited them. The powerhouse club had blanked its last three opponents and stood just two victories from tying ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Adam thrilled to be back in NHL after long wait

PITTSBURGH – One day this winter, Luke Adam finally had enough. The 22-year-old cleared his head and stopped wondering about his future with the Buffalo Sabres.

In just a few months last season, Adam suffered a stunning decline, morphing from a first-line NHL scoring threat into a forgotten AHL player repeatedly bypassed for recalls.

But fretting wasn’t helping Adam’s career.

“That’s what got me in trouble,” Adam said Tuesday prior to the Sabres’ 4-1 win ... Read the full article

Which Sabres forward would Rolston sit if Kaleta returns?

Considering the Buffalo Sabres have lost two straight, six of seven (1-3-3) and rank 14^th in the Eastern Conference with only 10 wins and 24 points, this shouldn’t be hard, right?

So, assuming the Sabres put agitator Patrick Kaleta back in the lineup Tuesday in Montreal, which forward should Ron Rolston scratch?

The Sabres’ interim coach didn’t want to bench anyone Sunday in Washington when Kaleta was eligible to play following a five-game boarding ... Read the full article