Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Practice habits made Sabres legend Dominik Hasek one of all-time greats

BUFFALO – One story about Dominik Hasek’s famously intense practice habits has become part of hockey folklore.

“I heard about it,” said Red Wings star Henrik Zetterberg, the Hall of Fame goalie’s teammate after the Sabres traded him to Detroit in 2001. “I’m not sure if it’s true.”

Legend has it Hasek was once so upset following a particularly bad practice, he spent the night in the training room. Never went home. Just stayed at ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Cody McCormick out of hospital

BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick was released from the hospital Monday after being treated for a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said.

“Cross our fingers everything continues to go well,” Nolan said following an 80-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center. “No timeframe on his return whatsoever. Our No. 1 concern is making sure he’s OK.”

With McCormick sidelined, the Sabres recalled centers Zac Dalpe and Phil Varone from ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody McCormick out of hospital; Ted Nolan wants better habits from Nikita Zadorov

BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick was released from the hospital today after being treated for a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said.

“Cross our fingers everything continues to go well,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “No timeframe on his return whatsoever. Our No. 1 concern is making sure he’s OK.”

With McCormick sidelined, the Sabres recalled centers Zac Dalpe and Phil Varone from Rochester ... Read the full article

Josh Gorges searching for solutions to help struggling Sabres

BUFFALO – They talked for almost 30 minutes on the ice. At times, the conversation between Sabres coach Ted Nolan and defenseman Josh Gorges, a passionate veteran, looked a bit animated.

These are tough days for the Sabres, losers of seven straight games and 11 of the last 12. Just weeks after winning 10 of 13 contests and igniting optimism, they have fallen back to the bottom of the league.

They rank 30^th... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody McCormick hospitalized with blood clot; Torrey Mitchell ready to play

BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick has been hospitalized with a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said Sunday.

McCormick will be out indefinitely.

“I’m quite sure it’s somewhat serious if he’s still in the hospital,” Nolan said following practice inside the First Niagara Center.

McCormick blocked a shot earlier this month and missed some practice time last week. He went to the hospital Saturday after team medical personnel examined him.

“I ... Read the full article

Sabres plan recalls; Brian Gionta and Torrey Mitchell practice

BUFFALO – About halfway through practice this morning, Sabres general manager Tim Murray walked onto the bench and began talking to coach Ted Nolan. Minutes later, the two walked down the tunnel.

What was going on? A GM rarely talks to a coach mid-practice. It’s even rarer for the coach to leave the ice.

Nolan returned to the ice a few minutes later. Following practice, he said the two discussed some recalls for the reeling, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody McCormick hospitalized with blood clot in calf muscle

BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick is in the hospital being treated for a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon.

McCormick will be out “a while,” Nolan said.

“I’m quite sure it’s somewhat serious if he’s still in the hospital,” Nolan said following practice inside the First Niagara Center.

McCormick blocked a shot earlier this month and missed some practice time last week. He went to the hospital Saturday.... Read the full article

Sabres send Mikhail Grigorenko and Phil Varone to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres assigned centers Mikhail Grigorenko and Phil Varone back to Rochester this morning.

Grigorenko, the No. 12 pick in 2012, has one goal and two points 12 NHL games this season. The 20-year-old Russian scored in Monday’s 4-1 loss in New Jersey. He has seven goals and 22 points in 30 AHL games with the Americans.

Varone scored twice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss in Carolina and played three games during his second ... Read the full article

Sabres send Tim Schaller to Amerks

Winger Drew Stafford returned to the Sabres today following the birth of his son, so Buffalo sent center Tim Schaller back to the Rochester Americans.

Schaller played two games during his most recent recall and has one goal in six NHL appearances this season. He has 10 goals and 23 points in 34 games with the AHL Amerks.

Stafford missed two games.... Read the full article

Report: Amerks goalie Nathan Lieuwen will ‘take significant time off’ to recover from concussion

Some sad news out of Rochester, where Americans goalie Nathan Lieuwen will “take significant time off” to recover from the concussion he suffered late last season with the Buffalo Sabres, according to the Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobzija.

Lieuwen, who has scary history of concussions, recently told the Amerks he has experienced vision issues all season, according to the paper. A neurologist said his brain hasn’t healed from the April 6 concussion ... Read the full article