Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ youngsters thriving back in development leagues

Some quick updates on the rookies the Buffalo Sabres’ new regime reassigned to the AHL and junior Nov. 19.

Not surprisingly, the youngsters are thriving outside the NHL. You think these prospects should’ve been sent down earlier?

Johan Larsson, winger, Rochester Americans

The 22-year-old Swede, who had one assist in 17 NHL games, has two goals and seven points in six AHL games as winger beside center Kevin Porter and rookie Joel Armia. ... Read the full article

Report: Patrick Kaleta has torn ACL, done for season; Sabres planned recall

BUFFALO – Agitating winger Patrick Kaleta, who was trying to develop a calmer style in the minors following a series of NHL suspensions, tore his right ACL Friday and is done for the season, according to the Buffalo News.

Here’s the kicker, though: Kaleta was going to be recalled from Rochester on Monday, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters today in New Jersey.

“We were going to bring him up after the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Luke Adam on first goal this season: ‘It’s a release’

BUFFALO – Winger Luke Adam believes he should’ve scored “a couple more” goals in the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime triumph Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“But I won’t complain with one,” Adam said after scoring his first goal in his fourth NHL game this season.

Adam, who had three or four strong scoring chances near the net Wednesday, finally converted against the Leafs, burying Zemgus Girgensons’ big rebound in the right circle 18:50 into the ... Read the full article

Report: Amerks’ Patrick Kaleta suffers ‘serious’ right leg injury

BUFFALO – Agitating winger Patrick Kaleta, who’s trying to develop a calmer style in the minors following a series of NHL suspensions, suffered a “serious injury” to his right knee or ankle Friday, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Update: Kaleta has a torn ACL and is done for the season, according to the Buffalo News.

“It didn’t look good,” Rochester coach Chadd Cassidy told the paper following the Americans’ 5-3 win ... Read the full article

Sabres beat Leafs in overtime, send legions of Toronto fans home unhappy

BUFFALO – It wasn’t a normal postgame NHL salute. Then again, the Sabres’ exciting 3-2 overtime triumph against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday wasn’t a normal game.

Leafs fans, who normally comprise at least half the raucous crowd when Toronto visits the First Niagara Center, outnumbered Sabres fans perhaps three to one in the capacity crowd of 19,070.

They ruled the building, chanting loudly all night.

So when the Sabres skated to center ice ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko and Brayden McNabb should return tonight after healthy scratches

BUFFALO – These aren’t regular healthy scratches. Interim coach Ted Nolan, who’s been charged with evaluating and developing the Sabres’ young lineup, wants some of his prospects to sit occasionally.

So he scratched center Mikhail Grigorenko and defenseman Brayden McNabb for Friday’s 3-2 overtime win against Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

Both should return tonight in New Jersey against the Devils, however.

“I’m not unhappy,” Nolan said Friday morning about Grigorenko’s play. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino feeling good about game

BUFFALO – The numbers, of course, are still bad. Fourteen games into his season, Sabres center Ville Leino has zero goals, three assists and just 10 shots.

That’s it.

But Leino, having played 20:19 and 19:23 in the last two games, is beginning to earn interim coach Ted Nolan’s trust.

Leino will pivot newcomer Matt D’Agostini and captain Steve Ott tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

In Wednesday’s 3-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko, Brayden McNabb to sit against Maple Leafs

So center Mikhail Grigorenko and defenseman Brayden McNabb will be scratched tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

Both should play Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, however.

“I’m not unhappy,” Nolan said this morning about Grigorenko’s play. “It’s just when ... Read the full article

Matt D’Agostini ready for any role with Sabres

BUFFALO – Matt D’Agostini had just experienced NHL waivers, what he described as “the most anxious 24 hours of your life.”

The Pittsburgh Penguins, his third team since the beginning of last season, released him Tuesday. The 27-year-old winger could’ve gone to the minors for the first time in four years.

But the hapless Sabres claimed D’Agostini on Wednesday, awarding him perhaps his final NHL chance.

So before D’Agostini spoke to the media Thursday ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Corey Tropp on waivers to Blue Jackets; Matt D’Agostini excited for new opportunity

BUFFALO – Losing Corey Tropp on waivers to the Columbus Blue Jackets isn’t disappointing, Ted Nolan said. Instead, the interim Sabres coach is happy the 24-year-old winger will enjoy an NHL opportunity he couldn’t here.

“Pittsburgh lost a guy to us,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “That’s unfortunate we haven’t got enough room for him right now. It’s good for him to be picked up by somebody else and get his ... Read the full article