Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres trying to avoid another 0-3 start, already searching for answers

BUFFALO – If you’re a glass-is-half-full type, the Sabres have stayed in both of their games until the third period. If you’re a half-empty type, they’re 0-2 and, overall, playing pretty terribly.

The Sabres never lost their first three games in regulation until last season, when they began the worst campaign in franchise history 0-3 and 0-6-1.

Now, they could be 0-3 again. The Anaheim Ducks, who won 31 more games than the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson feeling comfortable at left wing

BUFFALO – A year ago, the thought of Cody Hodgson playing anywhere but center would have seemed absurd.

The Sabres had few viable options down the middle. Tyler Ennis was still bouncing between two forward spots. Zemgus Girgensons was just beginning his NHL career as a winger.

Besides, Hodgson had just signed a six-year, $25.5 million contract extension to be the No. 1 pivot.

But late in the season, following an evaluation period, the team’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody McCormick questionable for Saturday

BUFFALO – Forward Cody McCormick missed today’s practice but could accompany the Sabres to Chicago for Saturday’s game against the Blackhawks.

Sabres coach Ted Nolan officially called McCormick’s absence a maintenance day. He skated 10 minutes, 46 seconds in Thursday’s 3-1 season-opening loss to Columbus.

Brian Flynn subbed on his line between Nick Deslauriers and Torrey Mitchell.

In other news, the Sabres switched two centers today, putting 18-year-old rookie Sam Reinhart back between Marcus ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres to host 2016 NHL Entry Draft

BUFFALO – The Sabres will host the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, according to the Buffalo News.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is scheduled to speak at a news conference Monday, according to the paper.

The Sabres haven’t hosted the draft since 1998.

... Read the full article

Sabres hang around, fall late to Blue Jackets in opener

BUFFALO – At some point Thursday, as the Columbus Blue Jackets kept peppering shots on him, goalie Jhonas Enroth probably thought the new version of the Sabres looked a lot like the old one.

Like so many times last season, the Sabres performed like an ugly, disjointed mess for stretches, running around in their own zone as their opponent throttled them.

Some nice goaltending from Enroth kept the Sabres in their 44^th season opener, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nick Deslauriers trying to build on breakout season

BUFFALO – The whole season, Sabres winger Nick Deslauriers said, “was pretty crazy.”

Barely a year ago, Deslauriers was a defenseman in Los Angeles’ organization. Three years into his career, he hadn’t played an NHL game. Then a forward shortage forced the Kings to make him a winger.

Suddenly, Deslauriers became a goal scorer up front, compiling 16 in 60 games for AHL Manchester.

That scoring prowess, coupled with his usual nasty edge, caught the ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart ‘relaxed’ for NHL debut

BUFFALO – On the outside, top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart was a cool customer this morning. The 18-year-old calmly answered questions about his NHL debut in tonight’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I’m pretty relaxed now,” Reinhart said inside the First Niagara Center. “It seems like a usual morning. But there’s no question it’s the biggest so far of my life, so I’m pretty excited.”

Sabres coach Ted Nolan knows Reinhart, the No. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers ready for new season: ‘I’m back to my normal self’

BUFFALO – Before the defensemen became Sabres teammates, they met about nine years ago, as Tyler Myers was beginning his junior career and Josh Gorges was leaving the Kelowna Rockets for professional hockey.

Gorges couldn’t believe the teenager’s lanky frame.

“He was 6-5, 6-6, but probably only 180 pounds,” Gorges, who will skate beside Myers in tonight’s season opener, recalled earlier this week. “I’m thinking, ‘They’re really high on this kid, he better fill out. ... Read the full article

Opening night in Buffalo will be extra special for Sabres’ Ted Nolan

BUFFALO – Whether you’ve been in the NHL for 50 years or this is your first season, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said, “opening night’s always exciting.”

“Butterflies floating around like crazy,” Nolan said Wednesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets. “If it doesn’t happen, something’s going to be wrong.”

Tonight will be extra special for Nolan, who’s beginning his first full season as Sabres coach since 1996-97. He ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan on Sabres owner Terry Pegula: ‘His heart’s here’

BUFFALO – Understandably, Sabres coach Ted Nolan hasn’t heard much owner Terry Pegula recently. But Pegula and his wife, Kim, plan to attend Thursday’s season opener after the NFL finalized their purchase of the Buffalo Bills today.

Imagine the rousing ovation the Pegulas will receive if the First Niagara Center video boards show them.

“It’s been pretty busy for Terry and Kim, for sure, to do what they’ve done acquiring the Bills,” Nolan said this ... Read the full article