Mark Pysyk returned Sunday after a one-game absence. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres shuffle lineup before loss to Red Wings

BUFFALO – The Sabres switched their lineup for Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, sitting three players interim coach Ted Nolan dressed last game.

Defenseman Mark Pysyk, a surprise scratch for Thursday’s 4-1 loss in Philadelphia, returned. Nolan sat the rookie, one of the Sabres’ few bright spots this season, so he could evaluate other players.

“We only have a limited amount of time to see everybody, and I mentioned to him ... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk sat Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Mark Pysyk back in against Red Wings

BUFFALO – The Sabres are changing up their lineup for this afternoon’s tilt against the Detroit Red Wings, sitting three players interim coach Ted Nolan dressed last game.

Defenseman Mark Pysyk, a surprise scratch for Thursday’s 4-1 loss in Philadelphia, will return. Nolan sat the rookie, one of the Sabres’ few bright spots this season, so he could evaluate other players.

“We only have a limited amount of time to see everybody, and I mentioned ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers, who said he likes where his “game’s going,” was smiling Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Tyler Myers confident he’s finally regaining old form

BUFFALO – Tyler Myers needed some advice. Just four games into the season, the struggling Sabres defenseman had already compiled a wretched minus-7 rating. He was starting to lose ice time.

For all the preseason hubbub over his productive summer, the 23-year-old hadn’t showcased any improvements in his wobbly game.

So following his minus-3 performance in the Sabres’ 4-1 loss to Columbus on Oct. 10, Myers reached out to Jim Corsi, the goalie coach... Read the full article

The Riverside Ice Rink was so cold Saturday that Ryan Miller could see his breath. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres want Alexander Sulzer to provide veteran stability

BUFFALO – As a 29-year-old veteran of 107 NHL games, defenseman Alexander Sulzer gives the struggling Sabres some much-needed stability, interim coach Ted Nolan said.

“We’re running around the defensive zone a little bit too much,” Nolan said Saturday after the Sabres prepared for this afternoon’s game against the Detroit Red Wings inside the First Niagara Center.

That’s why Nolan and Pat LaFontaine, the president of hockey operations, watched Sulzer play Friday in Rochester. The ... Read the full article

Alexander Sulzer practices today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall Alexander Sulzer for veteran presence; Cody McCormick out at least a week

BUFFALO – As a 29-year-old veteran of 107 NHL games, defenseman Alexander Sulzer gives the struggling Sabres some much-needed stability, interim coach Ted Nolan said.

“We’re running around the defensive zone a little bit too much,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the Riverside Ice Rink.

That’s why Nolan and Pat LaFontaine, the president of hockey operations, watched Sulzer play Friday in Rochester. The Sabres recalled him following the game.

“We got a lot ... Read the full article

Drew Stafford has only two goals this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan showing faith in Sabres’ Drew Stafford despite struggles

BUFFALO – The past is history, Ted Nolan has said. The interim Sabres coach doesn’t care about it. Heck, he hasn’t even reviewed video of his new team’s sorry start.

Sabres winger Drew Stafford has two goals in 24 games this season, zero in the last seven contests.

But Nolan has been giving Stafford, a fourth-liner at times earlier this season, big minutes and opportunities. The 28-year-old is averaging 20:03 in four games under Nolan. ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan didn’t like what he watched Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan’s strong words mean Sabres will start making more moves

Bet on it. In the next week or so, the hapless Buffalo Sabres will trade or waive at least one underachieving veteran.

Ted Nolan has seen enough just four games into his tenure.

“The gloves are officially off,” the interim coach told reporters Thursday in Philadelphia following the Sabres’ weak 4-1 loss, their third straight setback. “Now we got to do certain things in order to play. If you don’t, you’re not.”

The youth excuse ... Read the full article

Steve Ott, shown here wearing a gold practice jersey, helped the Sabres reveal their new third game jersey. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres to wear new third jersey for first of 10 times Sunday

BUFFALO – The Sabres will wear their gold third jersey for the first of 10 home games Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings.

That’s 10 of the 29 remaining games inside the First Niagara Center, Sabres fans. Ten!

Fans immediately panned the two-tone jersey, which features gold as the primary for the first time in team history, after Sabres captain Steve Ott unveiled it via Twitter on Sept. 4.

Reaction has been so harsh ... Read the full article

Mikhail Grigorenko hasn’t played for interim coach Ted Nolan yet. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres trying to find ‘best solution’ for Mikhail Grigorenko

BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko figured he’d be starting a two-week AHL conditioning assignment Wednesday. The 19-year-old Sabres prospect had already dropped his equipment off at the rink and checked into a Rochester hotel when a team front office member contacted him at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

The NHL had rejected the assignment.

Grigorenko drove back to Buffalo and practiced with the Sabres hours later.

What happened?

“You read the rules and see how they work,” interim ... Read the full article

Luke Adam has been dominating the AHL. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres reward Luke Adam and Brayden McNabb for strong starts with Amerks

BUFFALO – Luke Adam figured he had fallen out of the Sabres’ plans. The 23-year-old winger, a strong Calder Trophy candidate two years ago at this time, barely received a look during the exhibition season.

The struggling, goal-starved team then refused to summon Adam from Rochester as he began piling up scores and recapturing his old form.

“I think they kind of had their mind made up,” Adam said Wednesday inside the First Niagara Center ... Read the full article