Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka likely out against Panthers; Linus Omark set to return

BUFFALO – Interim coach Ted Nolan, whose Sabres have lost three straight, will likely use a different lineup Tuesday against Florida.

Center Zenon Konopka, who took three goaltender interference penalties in four games last week, will sit. Winger Linus Omark, who practiced today beside Cody Hodgson and Steve Ott, will likely return after two healthy scratches.

Nolan wouldn’t confirm Omark will play against the Panthers.

“We’ll give it another day to think about,” ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller explains Saturday’s slick glove save

BUFFALO – A little more than halfway through the first period in Columbus’ 4-3 shootout victory Saturday, Sabres defenseman Jamie McBain pinched into the right circle was tripped by Nick Foligno, creating a two-on-one break.

With only defenseman Brayden McNabb defending, Foligno zoomed down the left wing into the circle and dished to RJ Umberger, who one-timed the feed.

Incredibly, Sabres goalie Ryan Miller got across his crease and snagged Umberger’s shot.

Here’s how Miller ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers dynamic in shootout loss to Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – The signs had been there for months. First, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers settled down defensively. Then the former Calder Trophy winner recently recaptured his aggressive style, pinching in and swiftly moving the puck all over the ice.

Fresh off perhaps his best game in two years, Myers topped that effort in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring the first goal 59 seconds into the tilt and the tying ... Read the full article

Corey Tropp happy with Blue Jackets, wanted to keep playing with Sabres

BUFFALO – Corey Tropp figured he could’ve stayed in the Sabres’ immediate plans. The rebuilding club kept several youngsters on the roster after the new regime jettisoned a few prospects.

The Sabres wanted to keep Tropp, but they figured the 24-year-old winger was better off playing regularly in Rochester. So they waived him prior to claiming winger Matt D’Agostini on Nov. 27.

Tropp, who played 34 NHL games two years ago, was claimed by ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan wants Sabres’ Ville Leino to ‘get dirty’ for goals

BUFFALO – In 431 minutes and 21 seconds of ice time in 29 games this season, Sabres center Ville Leino has only 22 shots on goal.

The Finn recorded his first shot in his seventh game. He has one shot in his last five appearances.

Not surprisingly, Leino, who’s always possessed a pass-first mentality, has zero goals this season.

I asked interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan this morning if he’s told Leino to shoot more.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Linus Omark to be scratched again tonight versus Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – The Sabres will only make one lineup change tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, inserting Marcus Foligno for injured winger Matt D’Agostini.

That means winger Linus Omark, a healthy scratch for the first time in Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss in Toronto, will sit again. The slick Swede has one assist in nine games since being acquired from Edmonton.

What can Omark do to get back in?

“Not much else he ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Steve Ott wants to remain in Buffalo, believes rebuilding team not far away from contending

BUFFALO – The hospitality Steve Ott and his family have experienced from the community has been incredible, the captain said. Win or lose, the locals still love their Sabres.

Of course, the Sabres have done a lot of losing during Ott’s first year here.

The warm welcome and the struggles have left Ott imagining the Sabres’ resurgence. Right now, they’re rebuilding, still the NHL’s worst team.

But the 31-year-old, an unrestricted free agent following the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt D’Agostini out ‘for a while’

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Matt D’Agostini, who left Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss in Toronto early, is “still out for a while,” Ted Nolan said.

“I’m too not sure exactly how long,” the interim coach said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “But it’s not going to be long, long term. But it’s going to be at least a week or so, I believe.”

Reinforcements could be coming soon, however.

Three injured Sabres – forwards ... Read the full article

Sabres rally to tie Leafs, earn tough road point in shootout loss

TORONTO – For two straight nights, the Buffalo Sabres stopped playing those drab, low-scoring affairs. Their anemic offense looked first-rate, scoring three goals in consecutive games for only the fourth time this season.

Still, it only translated to a single point they earned in Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs before 19,372 fans inside the Air Canada Centre.

To interim coach Ted Nolan, the Sabres fought for a tough road point.

“Third game ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers a difference-maker in return from suspension against Leafs

TORONTO – Defenseman Tyler Myers’ absence was glaring during the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 4-3 home loss to Philadelphia. The Buffalo Sabres sorely needed a sturdy presence to calm the game down as the Flyers scored three times.

Myers, who returned from a three-game suspension in Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs, had been showcasing a steady, aggressive game prior to his ban.

“I think a lot of that is just bringing a ... Read the full article