Tallinder - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ted Nolan orders Sabres tough guy John Scott off practice ice

BUFFALO – About halfway through this morning’s practice, Sabres tough guy John Scott broke his stick on the boards, left the First Niagara Center ice and stomped down the hallway to the dressing room.

What happened?

Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan ordered Scott off the ice.

“He just fumbled the puck a few times in practice and I didn’t like it,” Nolan said. “In order for us to get better here we have to practice ... Read the full article

Matt Moulson ready to return; Sabres will use weary goalie Tuesday

BUFFALO – Matt Moulson said he noticed “a weird thing” when he watched the Jan. 30 hit that has sidelined him four games. Phoenix’s Shane Doan just bumped the Sabres winger. But Moulson’s skate got caught and he fell down, and he elbowed himself in the rib.

“I originally thought I popped my own rib out,” Moulson said Friday inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres’ first post-Olympic practice. “That wasn’t the case. ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan thrilled by Olympic experience; injured Sabres set to return

BUFFALO – One of Ted Nolan’s favorite parts of his Olympic experience was simply sitting down in the cafeteria and trying to guess which sports the athletes played.

The interim Sabres coach, who led Latvia’s surprising entry at the Sochi Games, said he met an alpine skier from Mexico who’s a prince and someone from Togo.

“I didn’t know where Togo was,” an exited Nolan said today after the Sabres practiced inside the First ... Read the full article

Goalie Ryan Miller plays well against Penguins, Sabres still lose

PITTSBURGH – Despite one win in 15 starts this trying season, it appeared Buffalo Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth would get Monday’s nod inside the Consol Energy Center.

The backup possesses strong career numbers against the mighty Penguins, who give franchise netminder Ryan Miller fits like no other team.

Besides, the Washington Capitals, a team Miller has dominated lately, are visiting the First Niagara Center tonight.

But Ted Nolan doesn’t care about Miller’s awful numbers against ... Read the full article

Former Sabres disappointment Brad Boyes thriving with Panthers

BUFFALO – Brad Boyes’ comeback generated no interest. The 31-year-old former Sabres winger rejuvenated his career last season beside star John Tavares and Matt Moulson on the New York Islanders’ No. 1 line.

Then, despite compiling 10 goals and 35 points in 48 games, Boyes couldn’t find a team during one of the oddest summers in NHL history.

With the salary cap coming down and rosters packed, plenty of notable veterans experienced similar situations.

“It ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Mark Pysyk to sit tonight for healthy Henrik Tallinder

BUFFALO – Sabres defensemen Mark Pysyk isn’t getting scratched for poor play, Ted Nolan said. The interim coach just wants the rookie to rest a bit 45 games into his season.

Veteran defenseman Henrik Tallinder’s set to return from a hand injury tonight against the Florida Panthers. Sitting the 22-year-old Pysyk makes the most sense.

“It’s not his play,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s been playing pretty well lately. It’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka likely benched tonight; Henrik Tallinder nearing return

BUFFALO – Sabres center Zenon Konopka said he had spoken to interim coach Ted Nolan twice about his knack for picking up goaltender interference penalties.

“I made a conscious effort,” Konopka said Monday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s contest against the Florida Panthers inside the First Niagara Center.

Still, Konopka, who had two calls early last week, earned a third Saturday, which led to Brandon Dubinsky’s go-ahead power-play goal in Columbus’ 4-3 shootout win.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka likely out against Panthers; Linus Omark set to return

BUFFALO – Interim coach Ted Nolan, whose Sabres have lost three straight, will likely use a different lineup Tuesday against Florida.

Center Zenon Konopka, who took three goaltender interference penalties in four games last week, will sit. Winger Linus Omark, who practiced today beside Cody Hodgson and Steve Ott, will likely return after two healthy scratches.

Nolan wouldn’t confirm Omark will play against the Panthers.

“We’ll give it another day to think about,” ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt D’Agostini out ‘for a while’

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Matt D’Agostini, who left Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss in Toronto early, is “still out for a while,” Ted Nolan said.

“I’m too not sure exactly how long,” the interim coach said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “But it’s not going to be long, long term. But it’s going to be at least a week or so, I believe.”

Reinforcements could be coming soon, however.

Three injured Sabres – forwards ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan wants ‘a little bit more’ from Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko

BUFFALO – Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan spoke bluntly Monday about 19-year-old prospect Mikhail Grigorenko, who refused an assignment to junior Saturday before accepting it a day later.

“We can’t control what people do and what they say, but we can certainly control how we’re going to run this organization and what we feel is necessary for the development of young players,” Nolan said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers ... Read the full article