Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ron Rolston upset with Sabres’ poor effort in shutout loss to Senators

BUFFALO – Don’t let the close score, the Sabres’ bevy of prime scoring chances or Ryan Miller’s brilliant goaltending performance overshadow a pretty wretched effort.

“We didn’t play a very good hockey game at the end of the day,” a visibly agitated Ron Rolston said Friday following the Sabres’ exciting 1-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators in the home opener inside the First Niagara Center.

The coach acknowledged the obvious, saying Miller, whose scintillating 45-save ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres recall goalie Matt Hackett

BUFFALO – Why do the Sabres, who play the Penguins tonight in Pittsburgh, need another goalie?

Matt Hackett left the Blue Cross War Memorial on Friday with his equipment following Rochester’s ugly 8-1 loss to Grand Rapids and has been recalled, the Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobzija reported.

Goalie Ryan Miller dazzled during the Sabres’ 1-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Friday and spoke with reporters following his 45-save effort. Backup Jhonas ... Read the full article

Rookie Johan Larsson ready for Sabres debut

BUFFALO – Johan Larsson isn’t just another prospect. Having been acquired in April’s huge Jason Pominville trade with Minnesota, the 21-year-old center’s one of the Sabres’ most hyped youngsters.

Not many players get traded for a captain and franchise cornerstone.

“They really wanted me, I think,” Larsson, who will make his Sabres debut in tonight’s home opener, said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m just going like they told me, go out and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers hoping to recapture elite form back beside Henrik Tallinder

BUFFALO – Skating beside Tyler Myers again feels natural, almost like “we were never apart,” Sabres defenseman Henrik Tallinder said.

Their partnership began four years ago, on Oct. 3, 2009, and lasted 88 straight games.

Back then, Tallinder was struggling to regain his confidence, a shell of his old, smooth self. Myers was a slick 19-year-old rookie beginning a Calder Trophy campaign.

The two clicked immediately. Tallinder morphed into a calm, cool veteran again, complimenting ... Read the full article

Ville Leino’s cracked rib opens up opportunity for Sabres rookie Johan Larsson

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Ville Leino just can’t stay healthy.

Leino, who played only eight games last season while battling a hip and lung injury, cracked a rib early in Wednesday’s season-opening 2-1 loss in Detroit and is out indefinitely.

The Finn should only miss a couple of weeks, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center.

Leino stayed in the game, skating 12:38. But Rolston said the rib “seized up” overnight.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino out indefinitely with cracked rib

BUFFALO – It keeps getting worse for Sabres winger Ville Leino.

Leino, who played only eight games last season while battling a hip and lung injury, cracked a rib early in Wednesday’s season-opening 2-1 loss in Detroit and is out indefinitely.

The Finn should only miss a couple of weeks, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center.

Leino stayed in the game, skating 12:38. But Rolston said ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek and Steve Ott ready to captain Sabres

BUFFALO – Shortly before noon Tuesday, the Sabres quickly streamed off the First Niagara Center ice following practice and walked to their dressing room. The metal door closed after all the players had entered.

Inside, coach Ron Rolston began addressing his team’s captaincy, which had remained vacant since the Sabres traded Jason Pominville in April.

Cheers emanated from the room a few minutes later. More applause could be heard shortly after that.

Instead of ... Read the full article

Steve Ott, Thomas Vanek named Sabres co-captains: ‘All about the influence’

BUFFALO – Shortly before noon today, the Sabres hurriedly left the First Niagara Center ice following practice and walked to their dressing room. The metal door quickly closed after all the players had entered.

Inside, coach Ron Rolston began addressing his team’s vacant captaincy.

Cheers emanated from behind the door a few minutes later. More applause could be heard shortly after that.

In a surprising move, Rolston had named Steve Ott and Thomas Vanek co-captains.... Read the full article

Sabres name Steve Ott and Thomas Vanek co-captains

BUFFALO – There they are, Steve Ott and Thomas Vanek, the Sabres’ new co-captains.

Surprised?

It appeared Sabres coach Ron Rolston would just pick one. Instead, the team announced today Vanek will serve as captain at home. Ott will wear the ‘C’ on the road. Christian Ehrhoff will be the permanent assistant captain.

“I think it’s good,” Vanek said about the co-captains today inside the First Niagara Center. “Picking a captain’s so hard. You look ... Read the full article

Healthy Ville Leino excited about new opportunities with Sabres

BUFFALO – Forget about Ville Leino’s shaky past with the Sabres and the widespread belief he’s a bust. Start judging the Finn differently.

The winger feels poised for a breakout season under new coach Ron Rolston.

Why should someone with only 10 goals and 31 points two seasons into a six-year, $27 million contract be given a clean slate?

Leino’s finally healthy after years of discomfort, having undergone a second hip surgery during the offseason... Read the full article