Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres lose game to Avalanche, Tyler Myers to injury

BUFFALO – Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the Sabres’ second consecutive ugly defeat, also ended their six-game home winning streak. After winning 10 of 13 contests to creep within four points of a playoff spot early last week, the Sabres have been outscored 10-2 in the last two games.

Uh-oh.

To make matters worse, injuries and illnesses are starting to ravage the Sabres. They lost three more players Saturday, including minute-munching defenseman Tyler ... Read the full article

Former Sabres star Daniel Briere treasuring end of career

BUFFALO – Former Sabres star Daniel Briere knows the end is coming soon. At 37 years old, he’s now a graying forward with the Colorado Avalanche. His new club scratched him seven straight games earlier this season. He skates less than 10 minutes some nights.

But the likable Briere won’t speculate about how long his once-dynamic career will last. Instead, he’s trying to treasure his remaining days in the NHL.

“I’m trying to enjoy what’s ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko feels he earned recall

BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko knew the Sabres were short one forward and had the Colorado Avalanche, a team led by Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy, his former junior coach, coming up on the schedule.

Grigorenko, who played in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg before going back to Rochester, wanted to get recalled again badly. To his relief, the Sabres summoned the Russian again Saturday morning.

“I was hoping I would get called up, especially ... Read the full article

Avalanche’s Daniel Briere on Sabres: ‘A team that’s going to be dangerous’

BUFFALO – Colorado Avalanche forward Daniel Briere still pays attention to the Sabres, the team he once co-captained, from afar.

Gone, of course, are the rollicking days Briere enjoyed here. The Sabres haven’t sniffed the success they had with the diminutive scorer since they let him leave in 2007.

But the rebuilding club impresses the 37-year-old, who likes coach Ted Nolan and the stockpile of young talent.

“I think this is a team that’s going ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko back from Amerks

BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko knew the Sabres were short one forward and had the Colorado Avalanche, a team led by legendary goalie Patrick Roy, his former junior coach, coming up on the schedule.

Grigorenko, who played in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg before getting returned to Rochester, wanted to get recalled again badly.

“I was hoping I would get called up, especially that game against Colorado against Patrick,” Grigorenko said this morning inside the First ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth thriving with increased workload

BUFFALO – Following a one-game rest, Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth will likely start tonight against the Colorado Avalanche, his 11^th nod in the last 13 contests and 22^nd appearance overall this season.

At his current pace, the 26-year-old would play 52 times. But given the frequency of his recent action, it’s not crazy to think the diminutive Swede, one of the NHL’s smallest netminders at 5-foot-10 and 166 pounds, could hit the prestigious ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Mikhail Grigorenko from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled center Mikhail Grigorenko from Rochester this morning.

Grigorenko has played one game in the NHL this season, Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg. The Sabres practiced with only 11 forwards after returning the 20-year-old to the Americans.

The Russian has seven goals and 19 points in 29 games with the AHL club.

The Sabres host the Colorado Avalanche tonight.... Read the full article

Sabres still plan to recall forward; Mike Weber close to playing

BUFFALO – That forward recall should happen before the Sabres host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

“I hope so,” coach Ted Nolan joked after the Sabres practiced today in HarborCenter.

The Sabres have been practicing with only 11 forwards. They sent center Mikhail Grigorenko back to Rochester following Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg.

Update: Grigorenko is back up.

The defense corps, meanwhile, should be getting healthier. Mike Weber practiced today, his first session since recently ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno scoring goals, feels career surging

BUFFALO – After scoring a goal in three consecutive wins recently, his hottest stretch since he burst into the NHL almost three years ago, Sabres center Marcus Foligno believes he has finally turned a corner in what has often been an enigmatic career.

“Yeah, I do,” Foligno said Thursday following practice inside HarborCenter. “I feel a lot better in myself and the way I’ve been playing, the way I’ve been seeing the ice, and just ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Team impressed with HarborCenter

BUFFALO – Instead of dressing at the First Niagara Center and busing to the Riverside Ice Rink or another local facility Thursday, the Sabres simply put on their sandals or sneakers and walked across the street in their uniforms to HarborCenter, the new $170 million facility that opened earlier this fall.

Practicing outside the First Niagara Center is no longer a hassle. Naturally, the Sabres’ first session inside the sparkling facility had a huge “wow” ... Read the full article