WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Robin Lehner has looked like a No. 1 goalie all season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Robin Lehner grabbed the new mask he plans to debut for Military Appreciation Night, showed the soldiers and camouflage painted on the front and then turned it around.
At the bottom of the back plate, the Swede had “Trump” painted on with a small picture of the President-Elect.
“Got a little support for my man Trump here,” Lehner said Thursday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the New Jersey ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner has a new mask. ©2016, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Robin Lehner grabbed the new mask he plans to debut for Military Appreciation Night, showed the soldiers and camouflage painted on the front and then turned it around.
At the bottom of the back plate, the Sabres goalie had “Trump” painted on with a small picture of the President-Elect.
“Got a little support for my man Trump here,” the Swede said this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “It’s going to be a fun night.”... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis has played 12 games this season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tyler Ennis underwent groin surgery this morning and will miss several weeks, the team has announced.
The Sabres’ longest-tenured player missed Wednesday’s 2-1 shootout loss to Ottawa with a “mid-body injury,” according to coach Dan Bylsma.
Ennis has battled injuries for the last year. Shortly after recovering from a concussion early last season, he suffered a season-ending concussion Dec. 30.
“It’s disappointing for Tyler, the situation he’s been dealing with ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner wasn’t busy in overtime. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In the modern NHL, contests like the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators – low-scoring, drab affairs – are all too common.
An abundance of speed and slick talent in the game hasn’t translated into more entertainment or goals. Instead, teams executive rigid systems, playing it conservative.
Wednesday’s snoozer before 17,884 fans inside KeyBank Center was a prime example.
“I don’t think either team gives a lot of room out there, ... Read the full article
Evander Kane misssed 11 games. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Cody Franson isn’t concerned. Neither is coach Dan Bylsma.
Thirteen games into the season, the Sabres are the only team without a goal from a defenseman.
“I could care less if I score one goal in a season,” Franson said Wednesday prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators. “For me, assists, getting pucks there for other guys to score are just as important as how many goals ... Read the full article
Evander Kane was injured Oct. 13. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the next little bit, Evander Kane will likely have to endure some pain on the ice. The Sabres winger, out since breaking four ribs Oct. 13, hasn’t quite healed 100 percent.
“I don’t think anything is really healed kind of right when I get back, but it’s healed enough to where I can play and come back,” said Kane, who will return tonight against the Ottawa Senators. “I’m sure there’ll be ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo has gotten off to a hot start. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Kyle Okposo’s quick acclimation and productive start have been welcomed by the Sabres, whose previous high-priced free agents quickly turned into disasters.
Remember Christian Ehrhoff? How about Ville Leino? Both lasted three seasons before the Sabres exercised buyouts. Both are out of the NHL, now cautionary tales for the dangers of free agency.
The rest of Ehrhoff’s 10-year, $40 million contact is being paid through 2027-28. The remainder of Leino’s six-year, ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner made 32 saves Saturday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
OTTAWA – Buffalo Sabres goalie Robin Lehner, coach Dan Bylsma said recently, gets a twinkle in his eye whenever he plays the Senators.
Lehner, 25, clearly relishes beating his old team, which traded him to keep Saturday’s counterpart, Craig Anderson, who’s 10 years older.
“Absolutely I can tell that,” a grinning Bylsma said following the Sabres’ 2-1 comeback win, a game in which Lehner starred, stopping 32 shots.
The Swede dazzled strong throughout his ... Read the full article
Nick Baptiste played his first NHL game in Ottawa on Saturday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
OTTAWA – As a native of nearby Barrhaven, about a 10-minute drive from the Canadian Tire Centre, Buffalo Sabres rookie Nick Baptiste had quite the cheering section for his sixth NHL game.
“There’s going to be a lot of people here tonight – a lot of family, friends, teachers, people in the area,” Baptiste said prior to Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win against the Senators, his first NHL appearance here. “My brother’s whole hockey team is ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno had four shots last game. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
OTTAWA – It was almost a year ago, around the time, not coincidentally, Marcus Foligno began the most consistent stretch of his career, that the Buffalo Sabres winger finally developed a shoot-first mentality.
By the end of 2015-16, Foligno had pumped a career-high 81 shots on goal. Considering he registered only nine shots in his first 20 games, the number was significant.
These days, Foligno’s consistently shooting the puck. No, he’s not exactly Alex Ovechkin. ... Read the full article