WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Nathan Gerbe was waived earlier this month. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Former Sabres winger Nathan Gerbe has found a new home after getting waived and bought out earlier this month.
The Carolina Hurricanes today signed the 26-year-old American to a one-year, two-way deal. Gerbe receives $550,000 in the NHL, $150,000 in the AHL and is guaranteed at least $250,000, the Hurricanes said.
According to capgeek.com, the Sabres also owe Gerbe $616,666 over the next two years, part of the three-year, $4.3 million contract ... Read the full article
James Patrick has been beside Lindy Ruff for years. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – James Patrick is joining Lindy Ruff with the Dallas Stars.
In a move many expected, the Stars today added the 50-year-old former Sabres player and assistant coach to Ruff’s staff.
Patrick, Ruff’s assistant for seven years, stayed on after the Sabres fired Ruff in February. New coach Ron Rolston let Patrick go following the season, however.
Ruff and Patrick have been friends since playing together with the New York Rangers in the ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller tries to stop Taylor Pyatt on April 19. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
It’s no slam dunk Buffalo Sabres starter Ryan Miller, one of six goalies Team USA placed on its National Team Orientation Camp roster today, will be named to the Olympic team again for the upcoming Sochi Games.
Consider the other netminders the 2010 Vancouver Games hero is competing with for one of three spots in February:
– Ottawa’s Craig Anderson, who led the NHL in goals-against average (1.69) and save percentage (.941) last season.
– ... Read the full article
Luke Adam celebrates his 14th NHL goal last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed restricted free agent forward Luke Adam to a one-year, two-way contract, according to capgeek.com.
Adam receives $735,000 in the NHL and $65,000 in the AHL.
The 23-year-old had 15 goals and 37 points in 67 games with Rochester last season. He earned an April recall to the Sabres, scoring once in four appearances.
Adam, the 44th overall pick in 2008, has 14 goals and 25 ... Read the full article
Matt Hackett could be Rochester’s No. 1 goalie next season. ©2013, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed restricted free agent goalie Matt Hackett to a one-year, two-way contract, according to RDS’s Renaud Lavoie.
The 23-year-old Hackett, a key piece in April’s Jason Pominville trade with Minnesota, gets $715,000 in the NHL, Lavoie reported.
If the Sabres keep starting goalie Ryan Miller, Hackett’s expected to be Rochester’s No. 1 netminder in 2013-14. The prospect played three regular-season games and one postseason contest with the ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff’s Dallas Stars visit the Sabres on Oct. 28. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres fans won’t have to wait long to see some familiar faces back at the First Niagara Center in different colors next season.
An Oct. 14 game against former Sabres captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild and an Oct. 28 contest versus ex-coach Lindy Ruff and the Dallas Stars are among the highlights of the 82-game schedule the NHL released Friday.
The Sabres open their 43rd season Oct. 2 in ... Read the full article
Brian Flynn played 26 games with the Sabres last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres re-signed restricted free agents Brian Flynn and defenseman Nick Crawford on Friday.
The 25-year-old Flynn, an NHL regular much of last season, inked a two-year deal. Crawford signed a one-year contract.
Flynn played 26 games after the Sabres recalled the rookie from Rochester on March 1, compiling six goals and 11 points. The free agent from Maine had 16 goals and 32 points in 46 games with the Americans.
Crawford ... Read the full article
Former captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild visit the Sabres on Oct. 14. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres fans won’t have to wait long to see some familiar faces back at the First Niagara Center for the first time next season.
An Oct. 14 game against former Sabres captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild and an Oct. 28 contest versus ex-coach Lindy Ruff and the Dallas Stars are among the highlights of the 82-game slate the NHL released this afternoon.
The Sabres open their 43rd season Oct. ... Read the full article
Eric Locke skates at development camp last week. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Eric Locke possesses a “rocket” shot so quick and lethal it reminds his coach of a former NHL teammate.
Which one? The greatest goal scorer Greg Gilbert ever played with.
“Brett Hull, to be honest with you,” Gilbert, Locke’s junior coach with the Saginaw Spirit, said by phone earlier this week. “I mean, Hully was special, there’s no question about it. But Eric’s got that potential. He’s got that quick release. ... Read the full article
Connor Knapp went 1-6 in limited AHL action last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In his first professional season, Connor Knapp sat on the bench in the AHL and watched … and watched … and watched as David Leggio handled the bulk of the Rochester Americans’ goaltending duties.
Knapp made the first of his seven starts Nov. 3, the season’s 10th game. The rookie played again 13 days later, then sat another three weeks. After Knapp’s Dec. 22 appearance, Leggio started the next 15 games.
Finally, ... Read the full article
