Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ blockbuster trade rocked dressing room before game

BUFFALO – It was a normal Sabres game night. Players were preparing for their warm-up Friday. Ted Nolan had held pregame his meeting and talked about his plan for the San Jose Sharks.

Then the interim coach saw Joe Battista, the team’s vice president of hockey-related business, coming around the corner.

Battista informed Nolan that goalie Ryan Miller, the scheduled starter, shouldn’t go out for the warm-up.

“I think we got a deal for him,” ... Read the full article

Stunner: Pat LaFontaine resigns from Sabres

BUFFALO – In a stunning development, Sabres legend Pat LaFontaine, the team’s president of hockey operations less than four months, resigned today.

LaFontaine will return to the job he had with the NHL.

According to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie, the last straw for LaFontaine was Friday’s blockbuster deal in which the Sabres sent Ryan Miller to the St. Louis Blues.

LaFontaine wanted to give the 33-year-old Miller an extension. New general manager Tim Murray, who LaFontaine ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres front office could be shaken up

BUFFALO – What’s going on in the front office? Could president of hockey operations Pat LaFontaine be leaving the Sabres after less than four months on the job?

TSN’s Bob McKenzie first reported rumors of a potential shakeup in the executive suite this afternoon, then followed up by naming LaFontaine specifically.

Could it be related to Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller trade? Or could it be related to interim coach Ted Nolan, someone LaFontaine brought ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect William Carrier possesses size and skill

BUFFALO – Goalie Jaroslav Halak and winger Chris Stewart, the established NHL players the Sabres received in Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller-Steve Ott trade with the St. Louis Blues, are relatively well known.

Halak has played 260 games and backstopped Montreal to the 2010 Eastern Conference final. Stewart has 115 goals, including a 28-score season in 2010-11.

But what about 6-foot-2, 196-pound forward William Carrier, the 19-year-old prospect the Sabres also received? The Blues selected ... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Ryan Miller, captain Steve Ott to Blues

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller had almost a year to prepare for a trade. Still, the moment hit him hard. When the Sabres dealt the franchise goalie and captain Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues on Friday night, emotion overwhelmed Miller.

“It just kind of hits you all at once,” Miller said as he broke down inside a packed First Niagara Center media room.

Then Miller, a former Vezina Trophy winner and the face of ... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott to Blues

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ trade with the St. Louis Blues is official: goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott are gone.

In return, the Sabres acquired goalie Jaroslav Halak, forwards Chris Stewart and William Carrier, a first-round pick in 2015 and another conditional pick.

Miller and Ott will talk to the media during the first intermission tonight. General manager Tim Murray will speak after the second period.

Update: Here are some quotes from an emotional ... Read the full article

Goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott missing from Sabres warm-up

BUFFALO – Goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott aren’t on the ice for the Sabres’ warm-up prior to tonight’s game against the San Jose Sharks.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Miller has likely has been traded to the Blues.

Jhonas Enroth is the lone goalie dressed.

Stay tuned for more updates.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Christian Ehrhoff has submitted no-trade list; Tyler Ennis out again

BUFFALO – With the NHL trade deadline five days away and rumors swirling, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan has started greeting captain Steve Ott in a special way.

“You don’t want to make light of it, but every day I walk in and say, ‘Steve, you still here?’” Nolan joked this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I talked to Tyler Myers on the ice today. His name popped up in the newspapers yesterday. I ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller focusing on what could be last start in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller knows most NHL cities can’t offer what this one has for 11 seasons. The Sabres goalie hasn’t just played for a team; he’s felt a part of something special in the community.

But right now isn’t the time to reflect, Miller said Thursday. He’s still with the Sabres. The former Vezina Trophy winner wants to focus on his 533^rd start tonight against the San Jose Sharks.

Still, with the NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller appreciative of fans and support from Buffalo over career

BUFFALO – Right now isn’t the time to look back, Ryan Miller said. The franchise goalie is playing Friday, his 533^rd start with the Sabres.

Still, the 33-year-old, who’s usually thoughtful, couldn’t help himself during a nearly 10-minute chat with the media this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

With the NHL trade deadline just six days away, Miller knows Friday could be his last game here.

“It’s kind played out for a little ... Read the full article