Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jason Pominville close to playing after hitting ‘Finnish wall’

BUFFALO – Of all the guys Sabres winger Jason Pominville could’ve collided with two weeks ago, it had to be 6-foot-4, 215-pound defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

“(I) end up hitting pretty much a Finnish wall over there,” the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Pominville said following this afternoon’s practice inside HarborCenter. “So it’s a tough guy to hit if you’re going to pick one.”

Pominville has missed three straight games since his teammate accidentally steamrolled him during a line ... Read the full article

Former Sabre Ryan O’Reilly producing for Blues amid losing season

Not much has changed for ex-Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly in St. Louis. The Blues utilize him constantly, relying on him to play big minutes. Just like in Buffalo, the versatile center quickly seized his opportunities, morphing into perhaps his new team’s best player.

And just like in Buffalo, O’Reilly has endured a lot of losing.

The Blues, one of the NHL’s heavyweights for years, just missed the playoffs last season, earning 94 points. When they ... Read the full article

Former Sabres goalie Chad Johnson happy with Ducks

BUFFALO – When former Sabres goalie Chad Johnson entered free agency and began studying teams he could potentially join, he zeroed in on the St. Louis Blues.

Johnson, 32, examined the Blues on paper, talked to people familiar with them and did enough homework to feel comfortable signing a one-year, $1.75 million contract July 1.

“I thought it was going to be a good fit,” Johnson, who endured a rough season with the Sabres in ... Read the full article

Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret ‘resting and doing well’

Legendary Buffalo Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret is “resting and doing well” after being hospitalized at Buffalo General Medical Center on Saturday night, according to the team.

Jeanneret, 76, had to stop calling the Sabres’ 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks and left KeyBank Center on a stretcher after feeling ill early in the third period.

“On behalf of Rick and his family, we’d like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers,” the Sabres said ... Read the full article

Linus Ullmark blanks Ducks, Sabres head into break on high note

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark could’ve been forgiven if it took him a little time to acclimate to his new role as a backup, perhaps the NHL’s toughest job.

No. 2 netminders often go a week or more without playing. When they finally start, they often receive the second of back-to-back games.

But Ullmark, 25, has transitioned nicely into his new gig, winning eight of his first 13 appearances subbing for No. 1 goalie ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Randy Carlyle remembers Phil Housley’s talents

BUFFALO – Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle still remembers a skinny rookie named Phil Housley entering the NHL fresh out of high school in 1982.

“I can remember Phil coming here as an 18-year-old defenseman and looking and saying, ‘Holy crow, how’s this kid going to last?’”

Well, Housley lasted a long time, playing 21 seasons, including eight with the Sabres, in what would be a Hall of Fame career.

But 36 years ago, ... Read the full article

Reports: Rick Jeanneret leaves KeyBank Center on stretcher

BUFFALO – Legendary Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret left KeyBank Center on a stretcher Saturday, according to multiple reports.

Jeanneret, 76, felt light-headed early in the third period of the Sabres’ 3-0 win against the Anaheim Ducks, according to The Buffalo News.

The Sabres had no update on Jeanneret.

Jeanneret, who is scheduled to work 42 games this year, was his usual affable self earlier in the night. He even started Saturday’s broadcast in a Santa ... Read the full article

Randy Carlyle: Sabres’ Phil Housley far ahead of his time as player

BUFFALO – Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle still remembers a skinny rookie named Phil Housley entering the NHL fresh out of high school in 1982.

“I can remember Phil coming here as an 18-year-old defenseman and looking and saying, ‘Holy crow, how’s this kid going to last?’”

Well, Housley lasted a long time, playing 21 seasons, including eight with the Sabres, in what would be a Hall of Fame career.

But 36 years ago, Housley, ... Read the full article

Patrik Berglund clears waivers, Sabres can terminate contract

Forward Patrik Berglund cleared waivers today, meaning the Buffalo Sabres can terminate his contract.

The Sabres placed Berglund, 30, on unconditional waivers Wednesday, four days after they suspended the 11-year veteran for failing to report to the team.

Berglund has three years left on his contract. The Swede will lose $12,579,032 from the termination, according to capfriendly.com. The Sabres are also free from his $2.235 million salary cap hit this season and his $3.85 million ... Read the full article

Sabres waive Patrik Berglund with intent of terminating contract

BUFFALO – As Sabres forward Patrik Berglund began struggling this season, the reality of his hefty contract began to set in.

Not only does Berglund have a $4.7 million salary and a $3.85 million cap hit this year, he has three more seasons remaining.

The Swede, 30, performed so poorly he morphed from the Sabres’ second-line center into a healthy scratch by the seven-game mark. When he played, he often skated short minutes on the ... Read the full article