Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

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