Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Report: Sabres send Mikhail Grigorenko to Amerks

BUFFALO – A strong training camp couldn’t earn 20-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko an NHL roster spot.

The Sabres have sent Grigorenko to AHL Rochester, according to Jay Grossman, the prospect’s agent.

Many had the Russian ticketed for the Americans before an impressive camp caught Sabres coach Ted Nolan’s attention.

Based on his camp, Grigorenko could be in line for a recall. He should receive big minutes in Rochester, where he played 14 games late last ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Brian Gionta still feeling strong entering 13th season

BUFFALO – Since the Sabres signed Brian Gionta on July 1, the talk, understandably, has centered on the veteran winger’s leadership.

The 35-year-old captained the storied Montreal Canadiens for four seasons. The rebuilding Sabres need someone to wear the ‘C.’ Gionta’s the most qualified candidate.

Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Thursday a new captain would be named soon. The Greece native could be awarded the prestigious letter as soon as Monday.

But in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mike Weber ready to rebound from poor season: ‘I come here to do whatever it takes’

BUFFALO – In a hockey-crazed town, with social media at everyone’s fingertips, gritty Sabres defenseman Mike Weber felt the wrath of a disappointed fan base last season.

Weber accumulated a wretched minus-29 in 68 games during the tumultuous campaign, becoming the fans’ top whipping boy. They wanted the Pittsburgh native benched.

Still, despite the NHL’s 881^st rating, Weber played every game over the final four months.

“A lot of people get to have a ... Read the full article

Photo: Sabres’ Chris Stewart pummels Dane Byers

BUFFALO – Late in the first period of Wednesday’s 6-1 exhibition win, Washington Capitals tough guy Dane Byers challenged Sabres winger Marcus Foligno to a fight. Foligno, who was playing his second game after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, declined the invitation.

A second later, Sabres winger Chris Stewart zoomed in and pummeled Byers.

“It meant a lot, and obviously he’s a good team guy to stick up for anybody on this team,” Foligno said this ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan close to naming new Sabres captain

BUFFALO – How close is Ted Nolan to naming a new Sabres captain?

“Uh, real close,” the coach said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Don’t expect an announcement today, however.

“It hasn’t officially happened yet, but we all know who the leadership is going to be on this team,” he said. “We’ll officially sit down with people. We haven’t talked to anybody yet.”

The Sabres open the season one week from today.

In ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart’s first goal closes Sabres’ preseason blowout win against Capitals

BUFFALO – Seven minutes, 10 seconds into the third period Wednesday, with the Sabres up four goals against the Washington Capitals, top prospect Sam Reinhart finally found some open ice.

Reinhart, by his own admission, had been pressing this preseason. The savvy 18-year-old couldn’t score or even create opportunities, and it gnawed at him. The hockey IQ fans have heard about so much rarely materialized.

But as Wednesday’s contest dragged on, the center got open ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko must keep impressing to earn roster spot

BUFFALO – Two weeks into training camp, center Mikhail Grigorenko remains the Sabres’ biggest surprise. Two more impressive outings could earn the Russian prospect a roster spot.

“He’s been looking really good,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s strong on the puck. He’s been making some really good plays. So the biggest thing right now is keep seeing him do it.”

Grigorenko has two more preseason opportunities, tonight ... Read the full article

Prospect Sam Reinhart running out of time to impress Sabres, knows he must score

BUFFALO – A goal or even a little more assertiveness tonight would greatly boost top prospect Sam Reinhart’s chances of making the Sabres right out of junior hockey.

Time could be running out for the 18-year-old, the No. 2 pick in June. Only two exhibition games are left.

Through three appearances, Reinhart has zero points, just two shots on goal and a minus-1 rating while averaging 16 minutes, 16 seconds of ice time. Incredibly, ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta and Johan Larsson could be back in Sabres lineup soon

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta’s facial injury isn’t as bad the Sabres originally feared, and the winger could miss as little as a month, coach Ted Nolan said Tuesday.

“It’s still serious,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s not going to be a three-month thing. It’s could be a less-than-month type of thing. So we’re thankful for that.”

Kaleta and forward Johan Larsson were injured early in Sunday’s 3-2 shootout exhibition loss in Toronto. ... Read the full article

Sabres assign 7 to Amerks, including veteran Matt Ellis

BUFFALO – Veteran forward Matt Ellis was among seven players the Sabres sent to Rochester this afternoon.

The Sabres also assigned: forwards Joel Armia and Tim Schaller; defensemen Drew Bagnall and Nick Petricki; goalies Nathan Lieuwen and Andrey Makarov.

Ellis and Bagnall must clear waivers to reach the AHL Americans. Ellis captained Rochester in 2012-13 and last season before earning a 50-game recall.... Read the full article