Tyler Myes (57) battles Patrice Bergeron on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Almost a day later, Jordan Leopold’s trade to the St. Louis Blues hadn’t “really processed yet,” Tyler Myers said Sunday morning. As soon as he found out about the deal, a surprised Myers sent Leopold, a mentor and occasional defense partner, a text message wishing him all the best.
“He seemed excited and ready for a new start,” Myers said prior to the Sabres’ 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins inside the First Niagara Center.
For some Sabres defensemen, Leopold’s …
Darcy Regier speaks to the media Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Given their 12th-place standing with Wednesday’s trade deadline approaching, the Sabres must listen to “anything and everything” available to them, general manager Darcy Regier said Saturday after trading veteran defenseman Jordan Leopold.
Yes, that means Regier could envision himself dealing franchise cornerstones like goalie Ryan Miller and captain Jason Pominville.
“I am listening. I have talked to all 30 GMs over the last, if I say week, it certainly takes in all of them,” Regier said Saturday prior to the …
Jhonas Enroth skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – In just over three weeks, Jhonas Enroth has morphed from a seldom-used backup to a strong No. 2 goalie called on regularly to spell starter Ryan Miller.
Since his March 7 start in New Jersey, a 3-2 shootout loss he left early, the 24-year-old is 2-0 while stopping 64 of 67 shots.
The Swede will get another nod tonight against the Washington Capitals inside the First Niagara Center.
“His confidence is a lot better than it was,” interim Sabres coach Ron …
Mark Pysyk has played five games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldWhile interim Buffalo Sabres coach Ron Rolston wouldn’t confirm it, defenseman Andrej Sekera, out the last five games, essentially told reporters in Florida he planned to play tonight against the Panthers following a five-game absence.
Slick winger Thomas Vanek (muscle strain) is out and struggling winger Drew Stafford, a healthy scratch the last two games, will return, Rolston told reporters.
Assuming Sekera returns, what should the Sabres do? Should Rolston simply sit rookie defenseman Mark Pysyk?
That’s not a given, Rolston said Monday. …
Mark Pysyk (53) battled Toronto's James van Riemsdyk on Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldMONTREAL – Earlier this season, rookie Mark Pysyk, the same defense prospect now playing almost 16 minutes a game for the Buffalo Sabres, sat as a healthy scratch in the AHL three times.
“I just needed a little wake-up call,” Pysyk said Saturday inside the Bell Centre prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 win, his fourth NHL game.
When interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston benched Pysyk with the Rochester Americans in December, the odds of the Sabres’ 2010 first-round pick cracking the NHL …
Thomas Vanek has missed three games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Sabres winger Thomas Vanek, who took a lethal Christian Ehrhoff point shot off the hip early in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win in Montreal, missed practice Wednesday and is questionable for tonight’s tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“He’s a little bit better but still going to be day-to-day, what he can tolerate,” interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Wednesday inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s certainly a possibility.”
Meanwhile, defenseman Andrej Sekera practiced Wednesday but will likely miss his third …
Mark Pysyk has played 57 AHL games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldWith Andrej Sekera (upper body) out tonight, the Buffalo Sabres have recalled defenseman Mark Pysyk from Rochester. The 21-year-old will make his NHL debut tonight against the Washington Capitals.
Pysyk, the 23rd overall pick in 2010, has four goals, 18 points, 20 penalty minutes and plus-8 rating in 57 games with the AHL Americans.
The rookie played four years with the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings before turning professional this season.
In summoning Pysyk, the Sabres bypassed veteran defenseman Adam Pardy, who …
Mark Pysyk blocks a shot in his professional debut Friday. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldROCHESTER – The 42nd opening night in Buffalo Sabres history would’ve been “huge,” winger Drew Stafford said, even “amazing.” New seasons breed hope and optimism, and if the NHL lockout wasn’t in its 28th day, both would be sweeping through Buffalo right now.
The club was scheduled to host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight inside a capacity First Niagara Center.
The Sabres, healthy and stocked with offseason reinforcements, might’ve been considered a chic Eastern Conference contender again. Their dizzying late-season …
Marcus Foligno established himself as a top NHL talent late last season. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – They’re back for another unexpected AHL run, kicked to the minors again by the NHL lockout.
Marcus Foligno dominated at times during his late-season recall, compiling six goals and 13 points in a rollicking 12-game stretch. By mid-March, the winger had become a star and a Sabres fan favorite.
Center Cody Hodgson, meanwhile, established himself as a regular last year, scoring 19 goals while setting a league record for road appearances.
Both would be virtual locks to make the big club …
Cody Hodgson will return to the Sabres after the lockout ends. ©2012, Janet Schultz, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – With an NHL lockout likely hitting at midnight tonight, the Sabres loaned 20 AHL-eligible players, including forwards Marcus Foligno and Cody Hodgson, to the Rochester Americans on Friday.
Also assigned were: forwards Luke Adam, Riley Boychuk, Brian Flynn, Zemgus Girgensons, Jacob Lagace, Jonathan Parker, Kevin Sundher, Shawn Szydlowski, Corey Tropp, Phil Varone; defensemen Alex Biega, Nick Crawford, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Matt MacKenzie, Brayden McNabb, Mark Pysyk; goalies Connor Knapp and Nathan Lieuwen.The Sabres also sent forwards Kevin Porter and Nick …