Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall from Amerks Phil Varone for first time

BUFFALO – The thinking was the Sabres, with eight defensemen at their disposal, would likely send one to Rochester.

Sure enough, they assigned rookie Brayden McNabb to the AHL with forward Kevin Porter, who’s finally healthy after getting hit into the boards Dec. 21.

But in a surprising move, the Sabres also recalled a youngster Wednesday afternoon, center Phil Varone, the Americans’ leading scorer. The 23-year-old prospect will likely play tonight against the Carolina ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Phil Varone from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres have recalled center Phil Varone, Rochester’s leading scorer, according to the Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobzija.

The 23-year-old Varone has never played in the NHL or even in an exhibition contest. But he’s impressed this season in the AHL, compiling eight goals and 33 points in 38 games with the Americans.

The Sabres inked Varone two years ago after San Jose, which selected him 147^th overall in 2009, ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan doesn’t believe he’s softened since first Sabres stint

BUFFALO – Eighteen years later, the 1995-96 Sabres, a rebuilding club that missed the playoffs, still rank among the most popular teams in franchise history.

That team, Ted Nolan’s first as coach, played hard and fought a lot. The Sabres accumulated 2,195 penalty minutes that season, earning Nolan a reputation as a coach who loved fisticuffs.

These days, however, Nolan’s Sabres hardly fight. They’ve scrapped only eight times since he took over Nov. 13. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mark Pysyk ‘banged up’

BUFFALO – No, Sabres defenseman Mark Pysyk hasn’t been sent to Rochester, at least yet.

When the rookie wasn’t on the First Niagara Center ice for practice this morning, some figured the Sabres had sent the 22-year-old to the AHL. Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Tuesday they would likely send Pysyk to the Americans for the upcoming Olympic break.

But Pysyk, who was scratched for Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to Florida so he could rest, ... Read the full article

Sabres lose tight game to Panthers

BUFFALO – Those precious goals, they’re finally starting to come. The Sabres have scored three in each of the last four games, their most prolific stretch this trying season.

Of course, that hasn’t change their fortune. The Sabres, even with an offensive spike, are still losing.

Tuesday’s setback to the Florida Panthers was their fourth straight 4-3 loss. They’ve played seven consecutive one-goal contests overall and seven straight at home.

The Sabres started well enough, ... Read the full article

Former Sabres disappointment Brad Boyes thriving with Panthers

BUFFALO – Brad Boyes’ comeback generated no interest. The 31-year-old former Sabres winger rejuvenated his career last season beside star John Tavares and Matt Moulson on the New York Islanders’ No. 1 line.

Then, despite compiling 10 goals and 35 points in 48 games, Boyes couldn’t find a team during one of the oddest summers in NHL history.

With the salary cap coming down and rosters packed, plenty of notable veterans experienced similar situations.

“It ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Mark Pysyk to sit tonight for healthy Henrik Tallinder

BUFFALO – Sabres defensemen Mark Pysyk isn’t getting scratched for poor play, Ted Nolan said. The interim coach just wants the rookie to rest a bit 45 games into his season.

Veteran defenseman Henrik Tallinder’s set to return from a hand injury tonight against the Florida Panthers. Sitting the 22-year-old Pysyk makes the most sense.

“It’s not his play,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s been playing pretty well lately. It’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino struggling to score, reach Ted Nolan’s expectations

BUFFALO – Ville Leino said he doesn’t mind battling or working hard, two aspects of his game interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan has questioned. Getting hit “or getting into stuff,” well, the struggling forward doesn’t mind that, either.

“I like battling,” Leino said Monday following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “Sometimes in a game it’s hard to get into the game, to get inside of the game to go battle hard. So somehow you ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka likely benched tonight; Henrik Tallinder nearing return

BUFFALO – Sabres center Zenon Konopka said he had spoken to interim coach Ted Nolan twice about his knack for picking up goaltender interference penalties.

“I made a conscious effort,” Konopka said Monday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s contest against the Florida Panthers inside the First Niagara Center.

Still, Konopka, who had two calls early last week, earned a third Saturday, which led to Brandon Dubinsky’s go-ahead power-play goal in Columbus’ 4-3 shootout win.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka understands why Ted Nolan will likely bench him

BUFFALO – Sabres center Zenon Konopka said he had spoken to interim coach Ted Nolan twice about his knack for picking up goaltender interference penalties.

“I made a conscious effort,” Konopka said today following practice inside the First Niagara Center.

Still, Konopka, who had two calls early last week, earned a third Saturday, which led to the go-ahead power-play goal in Columbus’ 4-3 shootout win.

Three strikes and you’re likely out of the lineup. ... Read the full article