Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Plenty of interesting names could be available to coach Sabres

BUFFALO – For the first time since the Sabres replaced Ted Nolan following his initial run almost 18 years ago, the team must search for a new coach.

Yes, it has really been that long.

Lindy Ruff, Nolan’s replacement in 1997, lasted until 2013, when former Sabres general manager Darcy Regier quickly promoted Ron Rolston from Rochester as interim coach. Regier removed the interim tag following the season without interviewing anyone.

Nolan immediately took... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges feels players’ professionalism suffered

BUFFALO – A player’s mind stays focused on the current season, Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges said. Athletes live in the present. They don’t think a year ahead like their team’s brass.

“You come in with a mindset of we’re going to win, we’re going to try to win,” the veteran said Sunday morning as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers following a 30^th-place finish. “As players, our job is not to play for ... Read the full article

Former Sabres coach Ted Nolan and GM Tim Murray never meshed

BUFFALO – The odds, of course, were stacked against Ted Nolan succeeding in his second run as Sabres coach, which ended with his firing Sunday night, less than a day after a 30^th-place finish.

Nolan wasn’t truly Tim Murray’s guy. Sure, the general manager awarded him a three-year contract late last season. But old friend Pat LaFontaine hired Nolan as interim coach early in 2013-14 before leaving months later.

Perhaps Murray felt obligated ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta wants to return to Sabres: ‘I would do anything to be back here’

BUFFALO – Following the end of another injury-filled season in which he played only 42 games, Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta received some good news.

“I passed my physical for the first time in five years, so that was a positive this morning,” Kaleta said Sunday as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers inside the First Niagara Center.

That’s how banged up the passionate Kaleta has been over the years.

This season, a year after tearing ... Read the full article

Sabres fire coach Ted Nolan

BUFFALO – In a not-so-surprising move, the Sabres fired Ted Nolan tonight, ending the popular coach’s second run here.

The rebuilding Sabres just finished the season 30^th overall.

In addition, the team also fired assistant coach Danny Flynn and won’t renew the contracts of assistants Bryan Trottier and Tom Coolen.

Stay tuned for more details.

Update: General manager Tim Murray said he decided to fire Nolan today after six hours of interviews with players.... Read the full article

Josh Gorges vows Sabres will be better: ‘Not going to go through this again’

BUFFALO – The mindset of a player at the start of the season is never focused on building for the next one, Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges said.

“You come in with a mindset of we’re going to win, we’re going to try to win,” the veteran said this morning as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers following a 30^th-place finish. “As players, our job is not to play for the future and play ... Read the full article

Sabres close tumultuous season with loss to Penguins, hear cheers

BUFFALO – The roughest season in the Sabres’ 45-year history is finally over, a 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday capping an 82-game slate that was tumultuous from start to finish.

The outcome, of course, hardly mattered. The rebuilding Sabres, who never quit throughout the campaign, had already locked up 30^th place and either the first or second draft pick in next Saturday’s draft lottery.

The season finale was about regaining some ... Read the full article

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