Thomas Vanek was recenly named co-captain. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres trade co-captain Thomas Vanek to Isles

BUFFALO – In a stunning development, the Sabres have traded 29-year-old co-captain Thomas Vanek, arguably their top player, to the New York Islanders for Matt Moulson, their 2014 first-round pick and a 2015 second-round pick.

The slick winger, an upcoming unrestricted free agent, has expressed an interesting in leaving the Sabres if their rebuilding process takes too long.

Clearly, the Sabres’ awful 2-10-1 start couldn’t convince Vanek to stick around.

In the 29-year-old Moulson, the ... Read the full article

Mike Weber has played 11 games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Mike Weber out ‘long-term’ after blocking shot

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Mike Weber is out “long-term” after a blocking a shot midway through Friday’s 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers, coach Ron Rolston told reporters this afternoon in Tampa Bay.

Rolston gave no timetable for a return. Mike Weaver’s slap shot ran up Weber’s hand, Rolston said.

Weber has zero points, 21 penalty minutes and a minus-12 rating in 11 games this season.

The Sabres, who dressed seven defensemen Friday, won’t ... Read the full article

Kevin Porter (12) played nine games with the Sabres this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Kevin Porter clears waivers, assigned to Amerks

BUFFALO – Kevin Porter cleared waivers today and will go to the Rochester Americans, where the center starred last season before the Sabres summoned him in February.

With forward Cody McCormick returning from a two-game absence tonight after blocking a shot last week, the Sabres created room on the 23-man roster by waiving Porter on Thursday.

The 27-year-old was pointless in nine games this season and had been scratched twice.

He captained the Amerks last ... Read the full article

John Scott had never been suspended before. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ John Scott apologizes for head hit, defends reputation and role

BUFFALO – Sabres tough guy John Scott acknowledges that, yes, almost six minutes into the third period Wednesday, his powerful blindside headshot that concussed winger Loui Eriksson, while not intentional, was illegal.

“It happened pretty fast,” an apologetic Scott said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center after the reeling 1-9-1 Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt in Florida against the Panthers. “I just thought I was completing a check. But, obviously, I hit his head. It ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta has a history of suspensions. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta has suspension appeal denied; Kevin Porter waived

BUFFALO – In a strongly worded 19-page document released Thursday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman rejected Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta’s appeal of his 10-game suspension.

Kaleta, who’s been suspended four times in the last four seasons, including twice in his last 21 games, hit Columbus’ Jack Johnson in the head Oct. 10.

Clearly, Bettman wants to send Kaleta a message.

Kaleta, Bettman wrote, “has demonstrated a total disregard for the safety of other players, and, ... Read the full article

John Scott could be facing a long suspension. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ John Scott emotional about head hit, says he belongs in NHL

BUFFALO – Sabres tough guy John Scott acknowledges that, yes, 5:49 into the third period Wednesday, his powerful hit to Loui Eriksson’s head, while not intentional, was illegal.

“It happened pretty fast,” an apologetic Scott said after practicing this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I just thought I was completing a check. But, obviously, I hit his head. It wasn’t exactly what I was aiming for. I didn’t want to do that. It’s ... Read the full article

Boston’s Scott Thornton (22) battles John Scott on Wednesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Woeful Sabres fall to Bruins, lose John Scott to likely suspension

BUFFALO – Finally, the hapless Sabres began showcasing some progress Wednesday. Slow starters all season, they played a sturdy first period against the mighty Boston Bruins.

Hey, take it where you can find it, right?

Even after falling behind 2-0 just 40 seconds into the second period, they battled back, slicing the Bruins’ lead to 3-2 after 18-year-rookie Nikita Zadorov scored his first NHL goal, a nifty one at that, late in the period.

Maybe ... Read the full article

Martin Biron retired from the NHL on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabres goalie Martin Biron content with retirement

BUFFALO – A year ago, as Martin Biron spent the 113-day NHL lockout at home in East Aurora with his wife, Anne Marie, and four small children, the popular former Sabres goalie began seriously thinking about his post-hockey life.

Biron enjoyed attending all of his children’s activities – cheerleading competitions, football games, school events – something he couldn’t do while tending goal in the NHL.

The family time “made me realize all the things that ... Read the full article

Nikita Zadorov made his NHL debut Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov ready for more minutes in second NHL game

BUFFALO – If you enjoyed watching Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov thump opponents during his NHL debut, get ready to see more of the 18-year-old Russian tonight against the gritty Boston Bruins.

Sabres coach Ron Rolston plans to play the 16th overall pick in June more than the 11:01 he skated in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Colorado.

“Matchup-wise, he’s got size, and he’s physical,” Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He ... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk’s calm style has earned praise from his coach and teammates. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Rookie Mark Pysyk quickly developing into one of Sabres’ top defensemen

BUFFALO – First, as Mark Pysyk was sitting in his stall talking to a reporter Tuesday, Zemgus Girgensons approached the defenseman, extended his hand and smacked his roommate across the cheek.

“What’s that about?” Pysyk said as Girgensons scurried off.

Girgensons, the likable Pysyk said, was “going to get it bad.”

“He might get a tape ball,” he said.

Moments later, a laughing Nikita Zadorov approached Pysyk and slapped him again.

Three Sabres rookies. Two ... Read the full article