Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Matt Hackett still confident he can grab top job

BUFFALO – Nothing has changed, Matt Hackett said. Forget that he was enduring a terrible season in Rochester before injuries forced his recall. Forget that general manager Tim Murray recently said the Sabres’ goalie of the future likely wasn’t in the organization.

Hackett, a key piece of April’s Jason Pominville trade with the Wild, hasn’t lost much confidence. The 24-year-old still believes he can become the team’s No. 1 netminder, a coveted spot that’s up ... Read the full article

Memories of playing with Dominik Hasek special for Sabres’ Matt Ellis

BUFFALO – One current Sabre, forward Matt Ellis, played with legendary goalie Dominik Hasek, who was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame prior to Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning inside the First Niagara Center.

Ellis played 16 games as a rookie with Detroit in 2006-07, Hasek’s 15^th NHL season. Incredibly, Hasek posted a 2.05 goals-against average and .913 save percentage as 42-year-old that year.

“He was a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino out again tonight; Ted Nolan says contract isn’t done

BUFFALO – What the heck is going on with Sabres forward Ville Leino?

Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said the Finn, who left Thursday’s 6-1 loss in Nashville early after experiencing some lightheadedness, was evaluated and came to this morning’s skate.

“He was doing OK and then just before going on the ice he didn’t feel very well again,” Nolan said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning inside the ... Read the full article

Ex-goalie Dominik Hasek, Sabres coach Ted Nolan talk for first time since 1997

BUFFALO – They hadn’t spoken in almost 17 years, since Ted Nolan’s first run as coach ended amid speculation Dominik Hasek, his star goalie, had just quit on the Sabres during the playoffs.

The two, who reportedly feuded, never crossed paths again until Friday.

After Nolan was essentially fired following the 1996-97 season, Hasek kept tending perhaps the best goal in NHL history, piling up awards while winning two Stanley Cups. Nolan, meanwhile, had trouble ... Read the full article

‘Strange’ ailment forced Sabres’ Ville Leino from game; Zemgus Girgensons ready to return

BUFFALO – Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said what happened to forward Ville Leino early in Thursday’s 6-1 loss in Nashville “was strange.”

Leino experienced some lightheadedness and left the game. He didn’t practice Friday.

“He just started not feeling very well,” Nolan said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning inside the First Niagara Center, their first home tilt following an awful 1-4 road trip. “When something like that ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Dominik Hasek and Ted Nolan enjoy first chat in 17 years

BUFFALO – Dominik Hasek and Ted Nolan hadn’t spoken in almost 17 years, since Nolan’s first run as coach ended amid speculation his star goalie had quit on the Sabres during the playoffs.

Hasek’s back in town to enter the team’s Hall of Fame Saturday. He said earlier today he wanted to see Nolan.

“I never really ran into him anywhere,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “He came ... Read the full article

Sabres want to be careful with Ville Leino; Zemgus Girgensons set to return

BUFFALO – Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said what happened to forward Ville Leino early in Thursday’s 6-1 loss in Nashville “was strange.”

Leino experienced some lightheadedness and left the game. He didn’t practice today.

“He just started not feeling very well,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “When something like that happens, you got to make sure you’re careful with it.”

Nolan said doctors are examining Leino today.

“Hopefully, ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Dominik Hasek happy in retirement, set for Hall of Fame honor and jersey retirement

BUFFALO – Dominik Hasek swears he’s retired from hockey. The legendary Sabres goalie hasn’t played professionally since his one-year stint in the Russian KHL ended in February 2011.

His goalie equipment, Hasek said, hasn’t left the bag since then. These days, the 49-year-old plays once or twice a week as a defenseman in a rec league back in his native Czech Republic.

“You wake up and you enjoy your life different ways,” Hasek, whose No. ... Read the full article

Former Sabres goalie Ryan Miller relied on less with Blues, still adjusting to new team

TORONTO – Nights like Tuesday are acceptable now. Former Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller wasn’t dynamic in the St. Louis Blues’ 5-3 victory against the Maple Leafs. He looked average, even a bit shaky at times while making only 22 saves.

But Miller doesn’t have to be perfect these days. The 33-year-old’s tending goal for the NHL’s best team, not its worst.

Miller is 8-2-1 since the blockbuster Feb. 28 deal sent the franchise goalie ... Read the full article

Sabres recall rookies Johan Larsson and Rasmus Ristolainen from Amerks

With winger Torrey Mitchell and defenseman Tyler Myers questionable for Thursday’s game in Nashville, the Buffalo Sabres have recalled rookies Johan Larsson and Rasmus Ristolainen from Rochester, according to WHTK’s Rob Sanderson.

UPDATE: The Sabres have officially recalled Larsson and Ristolainen on an emergency basis.

Both played in the Americans’ 3-1 loss to Milwaukee tonight.

Larsson, and Swedish forward, has 15 goals and 39 points in 45 AHL games and one assist in ... Read the full article