Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Johan Larsson transformed game late in season

BUFFALO – Three months ago, when the Sabres seemingly banished Johan Larsson to the minors, the 22-year-old’s future here seemed iffy.

Upon arriving in Rochester, Larsson complained about playing on the fourth line with the Sabres, something that angered coach Ted Nolan, who basically told Larsson to shut his mouth.

At that point, Larsson had one goal and six points in 41 NHL games.

Larsson entered Saturday’s season finale against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a 2-0 ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan not ready for Sabres’ season to be over

BUFFALO – Some quick Sabres updates from First Niagara Center prior to the season finale against the Pittsburgh Penguins:

– The Sabres will use the same lineup that lost 4-2 on Friday in Columbus, so goalie Anders Lindback will make his third straight start.

“He’s a big horse, and he’s been playing well,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon. “Right now, he deserves it.”

Backup goalie Matt Hackett, who’s been battling soreness, will dress ... Read the full article

Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby owns Sabres

BUFFALO – Sidney Crosby has feasted on the Sabres throughout his 10-year career.

The Pittsburgh Penguins superstar enters tonight’s season finale at the First Niagara Center with a 19-game point streak against the Sabres that goes back to Dec. 29, 2007. The 27-year-old has 10 goals and 36 points in that stretch.

Crosby has a point in all 15 career visits here, a whopping nine goals and 27 points. No wonder he said he likes ... Read the full article

Sabres clinch 30th place, guaranteed Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel

Either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel will play for the Buffalo Sabres next season.

Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets clinched 30^th place for the rebuilding Sabres, meaning they can fall no lower than second during the NHL Draft Lottery next Saturday and select one of the prized 18-year-old centers in June.

The Sabres have a 20 percent chance of getting McDavid, hockey’s biggest prospect since Sidney Crosby.

On Friday, about 240 ... Read the full article

Report: Sam Reinhart out a week with Amerks; Sabres recall Chad Ruhwedel

BUFFALO – Top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart’s AHL debut with the Rochester Americans is in on hold.

The 19-year-old center, the No. 2 pick in June, has a nagging injury and will likely play for the team in one week, according to WHTK’s Rob Sanderson. It was expected Reinhart would play tonight when the Amerks host Toronto.

The Sabres assigned Reinhart to Rochester on Thursday, three days after his junior season ended.

In other ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen enjoying career-best stretch

BUFFALO – It was March 14, and Zach Bogosian’s injury had suddenly left the Sabres short-handed. Coach Ted Nolan needed a defenseman to fill the newcomer’s big minutes, so he turned to 20-year-old Rasmus Ristolainen, one of his top prospects.

At times, Ristolainen’s second NHL season had been a rough ride. He had already been playing 20 minutes many nights. Why add more to the youngster’s plate?

Nolan wanted to see how Ristolainen, ... Read the full article

Sabres help establish scholarship fund for Steve Montador

BUFFALO – The Sabres are helping launch a scholarship fund in memory of former defenseman Steve Montador, who died suddenly Feb. 15 at age 35.

The Steve Montador “Dream Big” Scholarship Fund has been started with an initial $10,000 donation funded by the Sabres, the Buffalo Sabres Foundation, the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association, current players and former Sabres minority own Larry Quinn.

Montador, who was popular with teammates and fans, used to write “dream ... Read the full article

Sabres should close with intense opponents

BUFFALO – Expect the Sabres’ final two games this season – Friday’s road tilt in Columbus and Saturday’s finale against Pittsburgh – to be slightly more intense than Monday’s 4-3 home win against Carolina, a drab affair.

The Blue Jackets, having won nine straight games recently, are scorching. The Penguins might need the game to make the playoffs.

“Carolina’s out, we’re out,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. “When you have two out, it’s tougher. But ... Read the full article

Sabres believe coach Ted Nolan has done well under difficult circumstances

BUFFALO – Six weeks into last season, Sabres winger Tyler Ennis was struggling badly. The Xs and Os of hockey were overwhelming him and sapping the creativity from his instinctive game.

In the past, Ennis said, some coaches “limited me in terms of my creativity and what I’m allowed to do.”

Then coach Ted Nolan took over the Sabres 21 games into 2013-14.

“He’s smart in that he understands what guys can do and ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart going to Amerks; Connor McDavid ranks No. 1

BUFFALO – The Sabres will give top prospect Sam Reinhart another crack at the pro game this season.

With Reinhart’s junior season and career over, the No. 2 pick was assigned to the AHL Rochester Americans on Wednesday, according to the Kootenay Ice’s website.

The Calgary Hitmen eliminated the Ice on Monday in a seven-game first-round Western Hockey League playoff matchup

Reinhart started the season with the Sabres, registering one assist in nine ... Read the full article