WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Sam Reinhart (23) jostles with Hurricanes prospect Trevor Carrick for position in front of the Carolina net today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
It’s not quite an NHL regular-season contest, but slick prospect Sam Reinhart finally wore a Buffalo Sabres uniform in game action today at the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Mich.
The No. 2 overall pick in June was held scoreless in the Sabres’ 6-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Vaclav Karabacek, a 2014 second-rounder, scored Buffalo’s lone goal.
The Sabres play the New York Rangers on Saturday.... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov was sent back to junior early last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – After a seven-game NHL trial as a rookie early last season, Sabres prospect Nikita Zadorov feels ready for primetime. The 19-year-old defenseman believes an impressive training camp could force the Sabres to keep him.
“I’m a year older, a year stronger – everything,” Zadorov said earlier this week. “I have experience.”
Zadorov will be at least a few games richer in experience by next week, after the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart will be one of training camp’s most interesting storylines. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The season’s getting closer, Sabres fans.
The team announced today training camp will open next Thursday when veterans report for testing and physicals. The first on-ice sessions are a day later.
On-ice sessions at the First Niagara Center are open to the public.
The camp roster and the first week of the schedule are below.
Friday, Sept. 19
Session one: 11-11:45 a.m.
Session two: 1:15-2 p.m.
Session three: 3:30-4:15 ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford has noticed the community coming together following the Bills sale. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It wasn’t hard for Sabres winger Drew Stafford to see the excitement Terry and Kim Pegula’s purchase of the Buffalo Bills has generated around town.
“Everyone’s kind of got a little bit of a jump in their step,” Stafford said this morning, a day after Sabres owner Terry Pegula added the NFL franchise to his family’s growing sports empire.
The acquisition, Stafford said, is “bringing everyone together” around Buffalo.
“There’s a lot of positivity ... Read the full article
Terry Pegula bought the Sabres in 2011. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula and his wife, Kim, released this statement today following their purchase of the Buffalo Bills:
“Kim and I are humbled and honored that the Wilson family has chosen us to be the second owner of the Buffalo Bills. Pending the NFL approval process, being the next owner of the Buffalo Bills would be a great privilege for our family. Ralph Wilson left an indelible mark on our community and we ... Read the full article
Terry Pegula’s passion struck a chord with Sabres fans. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
To a certain degree, the euphoria sweeping through Western New York today was felt once before, on Feb. 22, 2011, when Terry Pegula was introduced as the Sabres’ fourth owner.
Of course, Pegula’s reported purchase of the Buffalo Bills is much different.
While the Sabres weren’t in danger of moving, there was a feeling he had rescued the franchise. With the Sabres among the NHL’s bottom-feeders, it’s easy to forget now, but that day was ... Read the full article
Andre Benoit has played nine professional seasons. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Andre Benoit never stayed on a straight path to the NHL. The Sabres defenseman zigzagged, even backtracked, all across the globe before earning an opportunity.
After two seasons in Montreal’s organization, Benoit bolted for Europe out of frustration over his playing time. When he returned and briefly cracked the NHL with Ottawa, he jetted to Russia to earn more money.
All the while, Benoit, an undersized 5-foot-11, kept posting big offensive numbers. But ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart was drafted No. 2 in June. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Four first-round picks, including center Sam Reinhart, the No. 2 overall selection this year, are on the Sabres’ 24-man roster for the 2014 NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Mich.
Winger Joel Armia and defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov are the other first-rounders.
The eight-team tournament runs from Friday until next Tuesday. The Sabres won in 2011 and finished second in 2013.
The complete Buffalo roster the team released today is ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta was Montreal’s captain four seasons. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – To most observers, it’s a formality. At some point before the season begins Oct. 9, the Sabres will name Brian Gionta their new captain.
Awarding Gionta the prestigious ‘C’ makes sense. The 35-year-old, the rebuilding club’s oldest and most experienced player, just served four seasons as Montreal’s captain. He won the Stanley Cup with New Jersey in 2003.
By any measure, the winger’s the Sabres’ most qualified candidate.
Still, Gionta, who signed a ... Read the full article
Ville Leino played three seasons with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Mark your calendars, Sabres fans. When Boston visits Buffalo on Oct. 18, Ville Leino could be a member of the Bruins.
The Bruins, the 2011 Stanley Cup champions and one of the NHL’s elite teams for years, have invited Leino to training camp on a tryout.
The Sabres, of course, bought out the final three seasons of Leino’s six-year, $27 million contact in June. The Finn, who scored zero goals last season, is on Buffalo’s ... Read the full article