Mikhail Grigorenko has four goals this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko seizing AHL opportunity with Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko needed some time to adjust. Getting demoted to the AHL wasn’t easy. The 20-year-center impressed during the NHL training camp, igniting speculation he could earn a roster spot.

But the rebuilding Sabres wanted the slick Russian to develop in Rochester, where he could receive loads of ice time, so they assigned him to the Americans on Oct. 6.

“It was probably tough a few days,” Grigorenko said Wednesday about ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart has one assist in eight games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres could decide rookie Sam Reinhart’s future soon

BUFFALO – Expect a decision on rookie Sam Reinhart’s future soon, possibly as soon as Friday. The Sabres center will play his ninth game tonight. His contract kicks in if he makes a 10th appearance.

Sabres coach Ted Nolan and general manager Tim Murray discussed the 18-year-old’s future this morning and plan to talk again following tonight’s contest against the Boston Bruins.

“I’m quite sure we batted around every idea there was for the ... Read the full article

Cody Hodgson has one goal this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson close to being scratched

BUFFALO – Make no mistake, Cody Hodgson, the Sabres’ leading scorer last season, is the new right winger on the fourth line beside center Sam Reinhart and Nick Deslauriers.

“Yeah, he’s on the fourth line,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said curtly this afternoon.

Hodgson could be moved to the press box next.

“He’s pretty close there, too,” Nolan said.

Hodgson, like just about every Sabres forward, has struggled this season, compiling one goal, two ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan has lost his patience. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Frustrated Ted Nolan puts reeling Sabres through long practice: ‘Taking it easy is over’

BUFFALO – The anger was visible today throughout the Sabres’ tense 90-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center.

At one point, coach Ted Nolan, whose 2-8 team was demolished 4-0 in Toronto on Tuesday, yelled, “Wake the (expletive) up!” Players exchanged words and yelled out in frustration. Captain Brian Gionta banged his stick on the glass and demolished it on the bench.

Nolan said he gives his teams a “10-game grace period” to start to ... Read the full article

Chris Stewart began his NHL career in 2008-09. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres notes: Chris Stewart plays first game in Toronto after long wait

TORONTO – Incredibly, Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Maple Leafs, Chris Stewart’s 392nd NHL game, was his first appearance in his hometown.

Toronto was the only city the 26-year-old Buffalo Sabres winger hadn’t played in.

How did that happen?

Stewart played in the Western Conference with Colorado and St. Louis before the Sabres acquired him in March.

“My first year I got healthy scratched here, and then the lockout year we didn’t play the ... Read the full article

Tonight will be Chris Stewart’s 392nd NHL game. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Chris Stewart excited for first game in Toronto

TORONTO – Incredibly, tonight’s tilt against the Maple Leafs, Chris Stewart’s 392nd NHL game, will be his first appearance in his hometown.

Toronto’s the only city the 26-year-old Buffalo Sabres winger hasn’t played in.

How did that happen?

Stewart played in the Western Conference with Colorado and St. Louis before the Sabres acquired him in March.

“My first year I got healthy scratched here, and then the lockout year we didn’t play the East, ... Read the full article

Michal Neuvirth has played three games this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres notes: Michal Neuvirth set to start again in net

TORONTO – Goalie Michal Neuvirth, once thought to be the Buffalo Sabres’ backup, will make his second consecutive start tonight in Toronto, coach Ted Nolan said.

What’s going on? Wasn’t Jhonas Enroth supposed to be the No. 1 goalie?

Tonight’s contest will be Neuvirth’s third nod in the last four games.

Nolan said Monday he never anointed Enroth, who’s played six contests, the starting netminder.

“I said he won the right to start the season,” ... Read the full article

Jhonas Enroth has played six games this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalies Jhonas Enroth, Michal Neuvirth still battling for playing time

BUFFALO – Goalie Michal Neuvirth, once thought to be the Sabres’ backup, will make his second consecutive start Tuesday in Toronto, coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon.

What’s going on? Wasn’t Jhonas Enroth supposed to be the No. 1 goalie?

Neuvirth will have earned three of four nods after the Sabres play the Maple Leafs.

Nolan said today he never anointed Enroth, who’s played six games, the starting netminder.

“I said he won the right ... Read the full article

Dominik Hasek will become the franchise’s seventh retired number. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres to retire Dominik Hasek’s No. 39 on Jan. 13 prior to Red Wings game

BUFFALO – The Sabres will retire legend Dominik Hasek’s No. 39 prior to the Jan. 13, 2015 game against the Detroit Red Wings, the team announced Monday.

Hasek, one of the greatest goalies in NHL history, will become the franchise’s seventh retired number.

The opponent holds some significance. Hasek played four seasons in Detroit, winning two Stanley Cups. The Sabres traded Hasek to Detroit in 2001.

The Czech will be inducted into the Hockey Hall ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan noticed Sam Reinhart had more jump today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart will play again soon

BUFFALO – Top prospect Sam Reinhart, a healthy scratch last game, will play on the Sabres’ upcoming three-game California trip, coach Ted Nolan said this morning.

Nolan wouldn’t say if the center will dress Wednesday in Anaheim.

He believes sitting the 18-year-old for Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Boston helped him.

“Today is another good day,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “I thought maybe having that day off he had a little bit ... Read the full article