WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Tyler Myers said playing in Austria was a “great alternative” to the NHL. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – Tyler Myers acknowledged the left ankle injury he suffered last month in Austria was the “nightmare scenario” for any locked-out NHL player in Europe.
At first, the Buffalo Sabres defenseman was nervous about the injury.
“But once we figured out what it was, I knew it would be pretty quick,” Myers said Tuesday after skating about 90 minutes with some Sabres teammates inside the Northtown Center. “I didn’t want to push it to ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers played 17 games in Austria. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – Tyler Myers acknowledged the left ankle injury he suffered last month in Austria was the “nightmare scenario” for any locked-out NHL player in Europe.
At first, the Buffalo Sabres defenseman was nervous about the injury.
“But once we figured out what it was, I knew it would be pretty quick,” Myers said this afternoon after skating about 90 minutes with some Sabres teammates inside the Northtown Center. “I didn’t want to push it ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff spent much of the NHL lockout monitoring prospects. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff had already endured 113 days of the NHL lockout, so waiting another 60 minutes to find out the work stoppage was over wouldn’t have bothered the Sabres coach.
“My phone had gone off while I was sleeping,” Ruff said Wednesday about how he heard the lockout had ended. “It was one of these, somebody had texted me at 6 a.m., ‘Congrats, it’s over.’ And (you think), ‘Wait an hour to ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff will begin coaching a shortened training camp in the coming days. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In his first meeting with local reporters since July, Lindy Ruff couldn’t wipe the smile off his face during a 20-minute chat this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. Clearly, the Sabres coach can’t wait for the season to start.
Ruff thanked the fans for their support before fielding questions about the upcoming season and how he spent his time during the NHL lockout.
Here are some quick highlights:
On if the season ... Read the full article
Darcy Regier finally got to talk about training camp Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Make no mistake, the Sabres supported the NHL’s 113-day lockout.
“I don’t want anyone to think we didn’t vote in favor of it,” Sabres president Ted Black said Tuesday during a 30-minute news conference inside the First Niagara Center to talk about the upcoming season.
But how does the new collective bargaining agreement benefit the Sabres? Terry Pegula, their billionaire owner, spends freely on the team. Money isn’t an issue. The Sabres operate ... Read the full article
Patrick Kaleta enjoyed a special feeling during Monday’s skate. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – It felt differently, Patrick Kaleta said, nothing like the dozens and dozens of practices the Buffalo Sabres winger had participated in during the 113-day NHL lockout.
On Monday, the day after the NHL and the Players’ Association tentatively reached a new collective bargaining agreement, Kaleta experienced a special feeling as he skated with eight other Sabres inside the Northtown Center.
“It’s just a feeling in my bones, my muscles,” Kaleta said afterwards. ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek said players could’ve had the same deal months ago. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – For the nine Buffalo Sabres skating inside the Northtown Center this morning, a sense of excitement and relief accompanied their energetic practice, one of the last skates before training camp convenes later this week or early next one.
With a tentative collective bargaining agreement reached early Sunday morning, players are trying to forget about the 113-day NHL lockout and begin prepping for the 2012-13 season.
A swarm of media greeted the players today. ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville already has four goals in four DEL games. ©2012, Soerli Binder, Adler Mannheim
BUFFALO – Will more Sabres go overseas? Could some go back?
You bet.
If the NHL lockout drags on, expect to see more players bolt for Europe. They desperately want to stay sharp. Some haven’t played games now in eight or nine months.
Of course, going overseas has its drawbacks. Most of the good leagues are filled up, leaving only second-tier (or lower) jobs available. Some leagues pay paltry salaries. Many teams are isolated. Some ... Read the full article
Jordan Leopold wouldn’t talk about the NHL Players’ Association’s possible disclaimer of interest. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – So, what about that vote the NHL Players’ Association is holding this week, the one that would give the union’s executive board the power to file a disclaimer of interest, which would dissolve the NHLPA and allow players to sue the NHL?
“I’m not going to comment on that,” defenseman Jordan Leopold, the Buffalo Sabres’ union representative, said Monday after skating inside the Northtown Center. “That’s all legal matters.”
Yup, legal matters. The ... Read the full article
Steve Ott believes “Rockout The Lockout” will have some intensity. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In Steve Ott’s mind, the special “Rockout The Lockout” charity hockey game he’s helping present Saturday could become more than a mere exhibition contest.
Eighty-three days into the NHL lockout, players are starving for some game action, the Sabres winger said.
So don’t expect the event “to be just an all-star game,” he said. Players are becoming increasingly competitive as they wait for the season to start. Some haven’t played a game in ... Read the full article
