Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ryan Miller buoys Sabres in season finale; Jochen Hecht retires from NHL

BUFFALO – The cheers started before Friday’s season finale. First, fans applauded Ryan Miller’s name in the starting lineup. Minutes later, as the Sabres honored the goalie as their MVP prior to his 500^th NHL game, Miller received a loud ovation.

Some fans ever stood up.

It was a far cry from last Friday, when Miller sarcastically saluted the crowd in between two Bronx cheers.

That ugly outing felt like the end of ... Read the full article

Reflective Miller aware 500th game could be last with Sabres, not angry at fans

BUFFALO – On the eve of what could be his 500^th and final appearance with the Sabres, goalie Ryan Miller wouldn’t speculate about his future.

Instead, the 32-year-old mostly delved into a past that has made him one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

At times, Miller’s six-minute chat with the media Thursday sounded more like a goodbye than a reflection of his first 499 games.

He called Buffalo his “second home.” He smiled and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vanek enters season finale with uncertain future

BUFFALO – So, has slick winger Thomas Vanek given thought to tonight possibly being his last game with the Sabres?

“A little bit,” Vanek said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “But at the same time, not really because I do have a year left (on my contract). We’ll see.”

Some Sabres will almost certainly be making their final appearance in blue and gold during tonight’s season finale against the New York Islanders.

It’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rolston hasn’t spoken to management about future

BUFFALO – If you’re wondering, Ron Rolston hasn’t spoken to Sabres general manager Darcy Regier or other higher-ups about his future, the interim coach said Thursday.

“No conversations,” Rolston said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s season finale against the New York Islanders inside the First Niagara Center.

Rolston’s 14-11-5 since the Sabres promoted him from Rochester on Feb. 20.

While the 46-year-old couldn’t get the Sabres into the playoffs, he believes the team ... Read the full article

Ryan Miller excited to reach milestone, not angry at Sabres fans

BUFFALO – On the eve of what could be his 500^th and final appearance with the Sabres, goalie Ryan Miller wanted to make something clear.

“I’m not mad at the fans,” Miller said this morning after preparing for Friday’s season finale inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s what I don’t understand. It’s the heat of the moment. You get emotional.”

Miller was referring to Friday’s 8-4 home loss to the New York Rangers, ... Read the full article

Sabres tough guy Scott earning regular shift, says he will score rare goal: ‘I’ll get one, for sure’

BUFFALO – The home crowd reacts immediately. For a moment or two, the First Niagara Center starts buzzing.

John Scott has the puck around the net. The hulking Sabres tough guy just might score.

Scott’s second NHL goal would be celebrated wildly, generate some cheer during an otherwise glum season.

The fans want to see this badly.

“I want it just as bad,” Scott said Friday. “I can tell it’s kind of an anticipation happening. ... Read the full article

Miller bounces back as Sabres down Penguins

PITTSBURGH – The thinking went like this: Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, heckled during an ugly home outing Friday, wouldn’t play in Buffalo again this season. No way. The Sabres couldn’t risk having the face of their franchise jeered again.

Sure enough, he sat Monday’s home game.

But the Sabres turned to Miller again Tuesday inside Consol Energy Center, and the former Vezina Trophy winner dazzled in his 499^th NHL appearance, stopping 40 ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Chad Ruhwedel back in Pittsburgh amid dizzying stretch

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres rookie Chad Ruhwedel hasn’t truly left college yet. Six games into his new life, the 22-year-old defenseman is still enrolled at UMass Lowell, where he’s a senior pursuing degrees in business and marketing and management.

Even in the NHL, Ruhwedel, who had junior playing status, has some school work to do. When the season ends, he’ll go back and finish the semester.

“A little tough, but my teachers have been pretty ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Ruhwedel excited to be playing in Pittsburgh again

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres rookie Chad Ruhwedel hasn’t truly left college yet. Five games into his new life, the 22-year-old defenseman is still enrolled at UMass Lowell, where he’s a senior pursuing degrees in business and marketing and management.

Even in the NHL, Ruhwedel, who had junior playing status, still has some school work to do. When the season ends, he’ll go back and finish the semester.

“A little tough, but my teachers have been ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan Miller likely to start against Penguins

PITTSBURGH – Ryan Miller was the first Buffalo Sabres goalie off the ice this morning inside Consol Energy Center, meaning the veteran will likely start tonight against the Penguins.

Will it be Miller’s 499^th and final appearance with the Sabres?

Miller hasn’t played since getting yanked from Friday’s ugly 8-4 home loss to the New York Rangers, a game Miller sarcastically saluted the crowd in between two Bronx cheers. The 32-year-old then voiced his ... Read the full article