WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Dominik Hasek speaks to the media this morning. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Legendary Sabres goalie Dominik Hasek had never chosen his own number.
Back home in the Czech Republic, he was given No. 9 as a 16-year-old when a player got sick. When he came to North America in 1990, the Chicago Blackhawks gave him Nos. 31 and 34.
So shortly after the Sabres acquired him in 1992, Hasek was shocked when equipment manager Rip Simonick approached him at a late-summer workout at Sabreland in ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick had a blood clot. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick was released from the hospital Monday after being treated for a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said.
“Cross our fingers everything continues to go well,” Nolan said following an 80-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center. “No timeframe on his return whatsoever. Our No. 1 concern is making sure he’s OK.”
With McCormick sidelined, the Sabres recalled centers Zac Dalpe and Phil Varone from ... Read the full article
Zac Dalpe has played 96 NHL games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick was released from the hospital today after being treated for a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said.
“Cross our fingers everything continues to go well,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “No timeframe on his return whatsoever. Our No. 1 concern is making sure he’s OK.”
With McCormick sidelined, the Sabres recalled centers Zac Dalpe and Phil Varone from Rochester ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick battles Los Angeles’ Mike Richards earlier this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick has been hospitalized with a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said Sunday.
McCormick will be out indefinitely.
“I’m quite sure it’s somewhat serious if he’s still in the hospital,” Nolan said following practice inside the First Niagara Center.
McCormick blocked a shot earlier this month and missed some practice time last week. He went to the hospital Saturday after team medical personnel examined him.
“I ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta was injured Dec. 21. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – About halfway through practice this morning, Sabres general manager Tim Murray walked onto the bench and began talking to coach Ted Nolan. Minutes later, the two walked down the tunnel.
What was going on? A GM rarely talks to a coach mid-practice. It’s even rarer for the coach to leave the ice.
Nolan returned to the ice a few minutes later. Following practice, he said the two discussed some recalls for the reeling, ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko has played 12 NHL games this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres assigned centers Mikhail Grigorenko and Phil Varone back to Rochester this morning.
Grigorenko, the No. 12 pick in 2012, has one goal and two points 12 NHL games this season. The 20-year-old Russian scored in Monday’s 4-1 loss in New Jersey. He has seven goals and 22 points in 30 AHL games with the Americans.
Varone scored twice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss in Carolina and played three games during his second ... Read the full article
Tim Schaller played twice during his recall this week. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Winger Drew Stafford returned to the Sabres today following the birth of his son, so Buffalo sent center Tim Schaller back to the Rochester Americans.
Schaller played two games during his most recent recall and has one goal in six NHL appearances this season. He has 10 goals and 23 points in 34 games with the AHL Amerks.
Stafford missed two games.... Read the full article
Nathan Lieuwen has a scary history of concussions. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Some sad news out of Rochester, where Americans goalie Nathan Lieuwen will “take significant time off” to recover from the concussion he suffered late last season with the Buffalo Sabres, according to the Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobzija.
Lieuwen, who has scary history of concussions, recently told the Amerks he has experienced vision issues all season, according to the paper. A neurologist said his brain hasn’t healed from the April 6 concussion ... Read the full article
Phil Varone is on recall to the Sabres. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Rochester Americans center Phil Varone, who’s on recall to the Buffalo Sabres, has been named to the AHL All-Star Game, the league announced today.
Varone has enjoyed another strong AHL season, compiling eight goals and a team-high 29 points in 35 games with the Amerks.
The 24-year-old is set to make his NHL season debut tonight in New Jersey.
Two former Sabres also earned spots in the game. Hershey Bears forward Tim Kennedy, ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers has missed seven games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Without Tyler Myers, the Sabres quickly became a mess, losing six of the seven games without their ace defenseman.
Opponents exploited Myers’ absence, outscoring the Sabres 33-13 during the past two weeks.
Yikes.
Thankfully for the Sabres, who have lost four straight games and eight of nine overall, Myers will return from his lower-body injury tonight against the Devils.
“I’m not going to be the savior coming in,” Myers told reporters Monday in New ... Read the full article
