WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Ted Nolan coached the first game in the First Niagara Center almost 18 years ago. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Whether you’ve been in the NHL for 50 years or this is your first season, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said, “opening night’s always exciting.”
“Butterflies floating around like crazy,” Nolan said Wednesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets. “If it doesn’t happen, something’s going to be wrong.”
Tonight will be extra special for Nolan, who’s beginning his first full season as Sabres coach since 1996-97. He ... Read the full article
Terry Pegula’s purchase of the Buffalo Bills was finalized today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Understandably, Sabres coach Ted Nolan hasn’t heard much owner Terry Pegula recently. But Pegula and his wife, Kim, plan to attend Thursday’s season opener after the NFL finalized their purchase of the Buffalo Bills today.
Imagine the rousing ovation the Pegulas will receive if the First Niagara Center video boards show them.
“It’s been pretty busy for Terry and Kim, for sure, to do what they’ve done acquiring the Bills,” Nolan said this ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta talks about being named captain Tuesday. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For five years, Josh Gorges watched Brian Gionta closely. Gionta’s Stanley Cup ring offered him instant credibility in the Montreal dressing room. But Gorges quickly learned why Gionta won a championship.
Gorges noticed the professionalism Gionta exhibited, the strong habits that made him a leader and respected captain.
“I’ve said this all along, when you’re a young guy coming into a team … who do you look to in the room and say, ... Read the full article
Michal Neuvirth struggled during the preseason. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – So much for that goalie battle between Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth lasting into the regular season.
A strong preseason has already earned Enroth the No. 1 job. Of course, Neuvirth played wretchedly.
Enroth won both exhibition starts, allowing one goal on 58 shots, a .983 save percentage. Neuvirth, meanwhile, lost both appearances, allowing 10 goals on 48 shots, a .828 save percentage.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan noticed “that look he had ... Read the full article
Matt Moulson (26), Brian Gionta (12) and Josh Gorges (4) posed with their new letters this afternoon. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the first time in years, the Sabres have stability in their leadership group.
Captains Brian Gionta and alternates Josh Gorges and Matt Moulson have a combined 12 years left on their contracts. Each veteran chose to join the rebuilding Sabres this offseason.
Ted Nolan, who’s beginning his first full season as Sabres coach since 1996-97, believes the trio will fill the leadership void he noticed late last season.
“Coming in, going in ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta signed with the Sabres on July 1. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ted Nolan today named 35-year-old winger Brian Gionta the 19th full-season captain in franchise history.
Defenseman Josh Gorges and winger Matt Moulson have been named alternates.
The Sabres haven’t had a captain since Steve Ott left in February.
Check back for details and quotes later!... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart can play nine games before his entry-level contract begins. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This could just be a brief, low-risk experiment. The Sabres have nine regular-season games to evaluate top prospect Sam Reinhart before the slick center’s entry-level contract kicks in.
Might as well use the trial, right?
Right now, Reinhart, the No. 2 pick in June, has a roster spot. The 18-year-old will make his NHL debut in Thursday’s season opener, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.
The Sabres also have 19-year-old defenseman Nikita Zadorov on ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko impressed the Sabres during training camp. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Following an impressive training camp, 20-year-old Mikhail Grigorenko’s “real, real close” to making the NHL, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.
“He’s knocking on the door,” Nolan said today after the Sabres sent the center to the AHL. “Right now, he needs just a little bit more seasoning.”
That seasoning will come in Rochester, where the Russian played 14 games late last season.
Grigorenko, who matured rapidly over the summer, made Nolan ... Read the full article
Many believe the Sabres will name veteran Brian Gionta captain. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres will likely name a new captain Tuesday, coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon.
“We’re pretty close,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center.
Nolan said he and his staff have been discussing the captaincy “from the get-go.”
“The one thing I asked our coaches to do is kind of do a daily log on who they felt is the proper leadership with this group,” he said. “They’ve been doing that on ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart has impressed the Sabres enough to stay. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart, the No. 2 pick in June, will make his NHL debut on Thursday against Columbus, coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon.
The 18-year-old Reinhart was among 23 healthy skaters on the ice today. NHL teams must reach the 23-man roster limit by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
While Nolan said today’s practice group was pretty close to the opening-night roster, the Sabres are still discussing moves.
The Sabres sent ... Read the full article
