Nikita Zadorov hurt his finger Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Cut finger to sideline Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov two weeks

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov cut his finger blocking a shot in Friday’s exhibition finale and is out about two weeks, coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon.

“It just kind of smashed it on the tip,” Rolston said inside the First Niagara Center.

The rookie had the injury stitched up, Rolston said.

Zadorov signed a three-year, entry-level contract Wednesday, although general manager Darcy Regier hinted then the Sabres would likely send the youngster back ... Read the full article

Nikita Zadorov signed an entry-level contract Wednesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov injures hand in exhibition finale

BUFFALO – Defenseman Nikita Zadorov injured his hand blocking a shot during the Sabres’ 1-0 loss to the Hurricanes tonight and will be evaluated, coach Ron Rolston told reporters in Carolina after the team’s preseason finale.

The 18-year-old Russian has impressed the Sabres throughout training camp, scoring one goal in four exhibition appearances.

Zadorov signed a three-year, entry-level contract Wednesday, although general manager Darcy Regier hinted then the Sabres would likely send the youngster ... Read the full article

Nikita Zadorov has made three preseason appearances. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Junior still likely destination for Sabres prospect Nikita Zadorov after signing entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The three-year, entry-level contract defenseman Nikita Zadorov signed Wednesday doesn’t affect the 18-year-old’s immediate NHL future, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said.

The team always intended to lock up Zadorov, the 16th overall pick in June, as quickly as possible. It’s only a coincidence the sides reached a deal in the midst of an impressive training camp from the Russian.

“I think if you can deal with it in his first year ... Read the full article

The Sabres drafted Nikita Zadorov in June. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres sign first-round pick Nikita Zadorov to 3-year, entry-level deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed defenseman Nikita Zadorov, the 16th overall pick in June, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced this afternoon.

The 18-year-old, a hulking 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, has impressed this training camp, compiling a goal and a plus-4 rating in three appearances.

The Sabres could keep the Russian on their roster when the regular season begins next week.

“Watching Nikita throughout training camp and the preseason has ... Read the full article

John Scott (32) fights Toronto’s Frazer McLaren on March 21. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ John Scott defends role in brawl: ‘I wasn’t going to try to hurt him’

BUFFALO – Naturally, hulking Sabres tough guy John Scott was a little surprised to see Phil Kessel, one of the NHL’s most talented stars, lining up for a faceoff beside him Sunday in Toronto after the Maple Leafs’ Jamie Devane had just pummeled Corey Tropp in a gruesome scrap.

Watching Devane knockout and bloody Tropp, who gave up five inches to the 6-foot-5 fighter, infuriated the Sabres. Scott, who was already on the ice, figured ... Read the full article

John Scott, shown here after a fight last season, sent a message Sunday in Toronto. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Fight night in Toronto: Sabres and Leafs brawl in exhibition tilt

TORONTO – It was a not-so-subtle message: John Scott, the Buffalo Sabres’ 6-foot-8, 258-pound tough guy, lining up for a faceoff against slick Maple Leafs superstar Phil Kessel, who’s about eight inches shorter and 60 pounds lighter.

A minute earlier, 6-foot-5 Leafs fighter Jamie Devane had knocked Corey Tropp out briefly and bloodied him.

The Sabres didn’t like Devane fighting someone five inches smaller.

So Sabres coach Ron Rolston had Scott on the ice ... Read the full article

Joel Armia skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Joel Armia set for home debut tonight

BUFFALO – The hype has been building since slick Finnish winger Joel Armia was selected 16th overall in 2011. In the 20-year-old, the Sabres possess a prospect so talented many believe he could crack the NHL right away.

Yet few have seen Armia, who spent the last three seasons playing at home in SM-liiga, up close.

Who exactly is this guy?

Fans will find out tonight, when Armia makes his Buffalo debut in the ... Read the full article

Jamie McBain had only one goal and eight points last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jamie McBain looking for fresh start after Hurricanes career fizzled

BUFFALO – Jamie McBain disputes his former general manager’s belief he reported to training camp out of shape last season.

The new Sabres defenseman acknowledged Tuesday that workouts “kind of slipped away from me a little bit” during the lockout. But McBain had played briefly in Finland and felt ready for an abbreviated season with the Carolina Hurricanes following the work stoppage.

“My on-ice conditioning was just fine,” said McBain, who could face the Hurricanes ... Read the full article

The Sabres picked Rasmus Ristolainen eighth overall in June. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Last four Sabres No. 1 picks to play tonight; Rasmus Ristolainen set for debut

BUFFALO – Four No. 1 picks from the last two years, including both 2013 selections, defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, will skate for the Sabres in tonight’s preseason opener in Montreal.

Expect to see the rebuilding Sabres showcase plenty of youth throughout the seven-game exhibition schedule, coach Ron Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

“There’s going to be a lot of opportunity for those players, and they’re going to get a ... Read the full article

Mikhail Grigorenko played 25 NHL games last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres youngster Mikhail Grigorenko ineligible for NHL Prospect Tournament

BUFFALO – Prospect Mikhail Grigorenko is ineligible for the 2013 NHL Prospect Tournament “because of the number of NHL games he was on the Sabres’ roster” last season, the team announced this afternoon, a day before play begins in Traverse City, Mich.

Grigorenko, who made 25 NHL appearances as a rookie in 2012-13, was arguably the biggest name on the 24-man roster the Sabres released for the eight-team tournament last month.

Two other youngsters on ... Read the full article