Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres send Grigorenko back to junior

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent 18-year-old rookie center Mikhail Grigorenko back to the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts this afternoon.

The Russian has one goal, five points and minus-2 rating in 22 games this season. He has recently played sparingly or been a healthy scratch.

The Sabres had to make a roster move with winger Ville Leino (hip) returning Saturday.

Update: Here are some comments from general manager Darcy Regier on the decision.

“We’ve been talking about ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Myers embracing defense-first philosophy

BUFFALO – The coaching staff recently conveyed a straightforward message to Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers.

“They don’t care if I only get one more point the whole year,” Myers said following practice today inside the First Niagara Center. “As long as my defensive game is good and where it needs to be, then they’ll be happy. Obviously, I know I can bring more to the table. It’s just a matter of doing the right things ... Read the full article

Sabres facing tough roster decisions

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres’ roster is at the 23-man limit. Center Tyler Ennis and winger Ville Leino are set to return from injuries, so moves will have to be made before the Sabres host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re actually meeting this afternoon on it to figure it out,” interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “But it will be solved by tomorrow.”... Read the full article

Marcus Foligno, Kevin Porter and Brian Flynn forming strong line for Sabres

BUFFALO – It appeared their time together could be brief. When interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston put Marcus Foligno, Kevin Porter and Brian Flynn together on a line March 5, he united two recent recalls with Foligno, a struggling rookie fresh off his first NHL benching.

All three had never played together during nearly four months with the Rochester Americans.

But Rolston, the Amerks’ coach until his Feb. 20 promotion, knew their talents. With the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alexander Sulzer done for season after ACL surgery

BUFFALO – Defenseman Alexander Sulzer hadn’t been seen much around the Sabres since injuring his knee early in a 4-0 home loss to the New York Islanders on Feb. 23.

On Thursday, though, the German was spotted on crutches sporting a cast around his right leg in the First Niagara Center dressing room.

Not long after, interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Sulzer had undergone successful surgery to repair his ACL and would be out ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ennis on Simmonds hit: ‘I thought it was dirty’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tyler Ennis, whose face was crunched into the boards from behind Sunday by Wayne Simmonds, said today the “dirty” hit should’ve gotten the Philadelphia winger suspended.

“People can say I turned and stuff,” Ennis said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center after practicing in a non-contact role, his first session back on the ice. “It’s happened before where guys turn and it’s no problem. But I had a problem with ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sulzer out for season following ACL surgery

BUFFALO – Defenseman Alexander Sulzer hadn’t been seen much around the Sabres since injuring his knee early in a 4-0 home loss to the New York Islanders on Feb. 23.

Today, though, the German was spotted on crutches sporting a cast around his right leg in the First Niagara Center dressing room.

Not long after, interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Sulzer had undergone surgery to repair his ACL and would be out the ... Read the full article

Leino and Ennis should return for Sabres on Saturday

BUFFALO – It’s “highly likely” Sabres winger Ville Leino, sidelined by a hip injury since Jan. 18, will make his season debut Saturday at home against Ottawa, interim coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon.

“He’s looking good,” Rolston said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “Today we did a lot of defensive things and some more battle, and he’s doing well, where we wanted him. Tomorrow will be another test for him. But ... Read the full article

Ott believes boos from Sabres fans ‘make the team lose a little bit of energy’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ power play is awful, and their legions of fans know it. Not only does it rank 30^th, it’s operating at a paltry 11.2 percent. No one else is lower than 13 percent.

In Tuesday’s 3-1 triumph over the New York Rangers, the Sabres blew all five opportunities and allowed another short-handed goal, their NHL-high fifth this season.

During one third-period chance, they iced the puck and went ... Read the full article

Ott wants cheers from Sabres fans, not boos

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ power play is awful, and their legions of fans know it. Not only does it rank 30^th, it’s operating at a paltry 11.2 percent. Only three teams have converted less than 14 percent of their chances.

In Tuesday’s 3-1 triumph over the New York Rangers, the Sabres blew all five opportunities and allowed another short-handed goal, their NHL-high fifth this season.

During one third-period chance, they iced ... Read the full article