Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Former Sabres defenseman Steve Montador passes away at 35

Former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Steve Montador has died, according to multiple reports.

The 35-year-old was found dead this morning in his Ontario home, according to the Mississauga News. Police do not suspect foul play.

Montador played 571 NHL games over 10 seasons, including 151 with the Sabres from 2009-2011. He last played in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011-12 before a concussion ended his season. He retired last season after playing in the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges and Patrick Kaleta out against Flyers; Johan Larsson up

BUFFALO – The lower-body injury Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges has been nursing could sideline the veteran for a while.

Sabres coach Ted Nolan wouldn’t say Gorges’ season is over, however.

“I’m not too sure about that,” Nolan said this morning after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll see. He’s going to get a second opinion.”

Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta, meanwhile, had played 21 consecutive games, ... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian happy to join Sabres: ‘I heard Buffalo, it was a good feeling’

BUFFALO – The mood on the ice inside HarborCenter belied the Sabres’ sorry state. Players laughed and had fun throughout Saturday’s up-tempo practice, the end of another trying week for the rebuilding club.

For some, the session, the first with new Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, was therapeutic.

“We got a good group of guys,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. “They give us what they have every day. They’re trying to keep their spirits up as ... Read the full article

Chris Stewart ill; Zach Bogosian finally practices with Sabres

BUFFALO – OK, relax, Sabres fans. Chris Stewart hasn’t been traded yet. The winger, who will almost certainly be dealt prior to the March 2 trade deadline, missed today’s practice inside HarborCenter because he’s sick, coach Ted Nolan said.

Stewart’s status is unclear for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, defenseman Josh Gorges, who’s dealing with an undisclosed injury that won’t go away, missed the session and will be evaluated by doctors to “see if it’s ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Anders Lindback excited for fresh opportunity in Buffalo

BUFFALO – For the time being, goalie Anders Lindback will likely take a backseat to Michal Neuvirth. With Jhonas Enroth gone, the Sabres plan to evaluate Neuvirth to see if he’s worth re-signing.

But an opportunity could materialize for the 26-year-old Lindback, part of Wednesday’s Enroth trade with the Dallas Stars, if Neuvirth plays well and gets dished or he falters. The Sabres need goalies badly.

Sabres general manager Tim Murray loves big ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan vows Sabres will fight to finish after blockbuster trade

BUFFALO – What will happen now? The Sabres were the NHL’s worst team before they traded Tyler Myers, Jhonas Enroth and Drew Stafford. The final 27 games could be brutal without their best defenseman, starting goalie and No. 3 scorer.

Myers skated a team-high 25 minutes a game, zooming all over the ice. Despite the Sabres’ porous defense, Enroth tended some strong goal all season. Stafford had nine of the club’s 97 goals and 24 ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan on Sabres: ‘Not going to be like sacrificial lambs’

BUFFALO – The NHL’s worst team is down its top defenseman, starting goalie and No. 3 scorer after Wednesday’s trades. How rough will the Sabres’ final 27 games be without Tyler Myers, Jhonas Enroth and Drew Stafford?

Coach Ted Nolan told his Sabres they’re “not going to be like sacrificial lambs, just go out there and get slaughtered.”

“We have to make sure we play together, we protect one another and we work together – ... Read the full article

Sabres pay steep price, land Evander Kane from Jets

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ acquisition of winger Evander Kane and defenseman Zach Bogosian from the Jets in Wednesday’s blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Tyler Myers to Winnipeg makes the rebuilding club closer to contending, general manager Tim Murray said.

“My plan was to do something like this to speed it up,” Murray said inside the First Niagara Center after pulling off the NHL’s biggest deal this season.

The Sabres paid a steep price, however, dealing ... Read the full article

Former Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth could fit well with Stars

BUFFALO – The market for goalies this season is small. Most teams are set in net. Tim Murray had two soon-to-be free agents with starting experience on his roster, yet the Sabres general manager only received one call from an interested club.

“There’s very few that need a goalie right now,” Murray said Wednesday inside the First Niagara Center after trading goalie Jhonas Enroth to the Dallas Stars for 6-foot-6 goalie Anders Lindback and a ... Read the full article

GM Tim Murray believes Evander Kane trade speeds up Sabres’ rebuild; Goalie Jhonas Enroth dealt to Stars

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ acquisition of winger Evander Kane and defenseman Zach Bogosian from the Jets today in the blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Tyler Myers to Winnipeg makes the rebuilding club closer to contending, general manager Tim Murray said.

“My plan was to do something like this to speed it up,” Murray said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center after pulling off the NHL’s biggest deal this season.

The Sabres paid a steep ... Read the full article