WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Development Camp Edition
Nick Deslauriers was a defenseman until last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The whole season, Sabres winger Nick Deslauriers said, “was pretty crazy.”
Barely a year ago, Deslauriers was a defenseman in Los Angeles’ organization. Three years into his career, he hadn’t played an NHL game. Then a forward shortage forced the Kings to make him a winger.
Suddenly, Deslauriers became a goal scorer up front, compiling 16 in 60 games for AHL Manchester.
That scoring prowess, coupled with his usual nasty edge, caught the ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart said he’s not too nervous about his NHL debut. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – On the outside, top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart was a cool customer this morning. The 18-year-old calmly answered questions about his NHL debut in tonight’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I’m pretty relaxed now,” Reinhart said inside the First Niagara Center. “It seems like a usual morning. But there’s no question it’s the biggest so far of my life, so I’m pretty excited.”
Sabres coach Ted Nolan knows Reinhart, the No. ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers turned a corner last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Before the defensemen became Sabres teammates, they met about nine years ago, as Tyler Myers was beginning his junior career and Josh Gorges was leaving the Kelowna Rockets for professional hockey.
Gorges couldn’t believe the teenager’s lanky frame.
“He was 6-5, 6-6, but probably only 180 pounds,” Gorges, who will skate beside Myers in tonight’s season opener, recalled earlier this week. “I’m thinking, ‘They’re really high on this kid, he better fill out. ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan coached the first game in the First Niagara Center almost 18 years ago. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Whether you’ve been in the NHL for 50 years or this is your first season, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said, “opening night’s always exciting.”
“Butterflies floating around like crazy,” Nolan said Wednesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets. “If it doesn’t happen, something’s going to be wrong.”
Tonight will be extra special for Nolan, who’s beginning his first full season as Sabres coach since 1996-97. He ... Read the full article
Terry Pegula’s purchase of the Buffalo Bills was finalized today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Understandably, Sabres coach Ted Nolan hasn’t heard much owner Terry Pegula recently. But Pegula and his wife, Kim, plan to attend Thursday’s season opener after the NFL finalized their purchase of the Buffalo Bills today.
Imagine the rousing ovation the Pegulas will receive if the First Niagara Center video boards show them.
“It’s been pretty busy for Terry and Kim, for sure, to do what they’ve done acquiring the Bills,” Nolan said this ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta talks about being named captain Tuesday. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For five years, Josh Gorges watched Brian Gionta closely. Gionta’s Stanley Cup ring offered him instant credibility in the Montreal dressing room. But Gorges quickly learned why Gionta won a championship.
Gorges noticed the professionalism Gionta exhibited, the strong habits that made him a leader and respected captain.
“I’ve said this all along, when you’re a young guy coming into a team … who do you look to in the room and say, ... Read the full article
Michal Neuvirth struggled during the preseason. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – So much for that goalie battle between Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth lasting into the regular season.
A strong preseason has already earned Enroth the No. 1 job. Of course, Neuvirth played wretchedly.
Enroth won both exhibition starts, allowing one goal on 58 shots, a .983 save percentage. Neuvirth, meanwhile, lost both appearances, allowing 10 goals on 48 shots, a .828 save percentage.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan noticed “that look he had ... Read the full article
Matt Moulson (26), Brian Gionta (12) and Josh Gorges (4) posed with their new letters this afternoon. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the first time in years, the Sabres have stability in their leadership group.
Captains Brian Gionta and alternates Josh Gorges and Matt Moulson have a combined 12 years left on their contracts. Each veteran chose to join the rebuilding Sabres this offseason.
Ted Nolan, who’s beginning his first full season as Sabres coach since 1996-97, believes the trio will fill the leadership void he noticed late last season.
“Coming in, going in ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta signed with the Sabres on July 1. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ted Nolan today named 35-year-old winger Brian Gionta the 19th full-season captain in franchise history.
Defenseman Josh Gorges and winger Matt Moulson have been named alternates.
The Sabres haven’t had a captain since Steve Ott left in February.
Check back for details and quotes later!... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart can play nine games before his entry-level contract begins. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This could just be a brief, low-risk experiment. The Sabres have nine regular-season games to evaluate top prospect Sam Reinhart before the slick center’s entry-level contract kicks in.
Might as well use the trial, right?
Right now, Reinhart, the No. 2 pick in June, has a roster spot. The 18-year-old will make his NHL debut in Thursday’s season opener, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.
The Sabres also have 19-year-old defenseman Nikita Zadorov on ... Read the full article