Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres re-sign goalie Enroth to 2-year deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed goalie Jhonas Enroth, who would’ve become a restricted free agent next month, to a two-year contract, the team announced this morning.

The backup would likely have the inside edge for the No. 1 job next season if the Sabres trade starting netminder Ryan Miller this offseason.

After struggling for more than a year, the Swede finished this season strongly, going 4-1-1 with a 1.47 goals-against average, a .956 save ... Read the full article

Sabres owner Pegula defends Regier, wants Miller and Vanek back

BUFFALO – Terry Pegula has finally spoken again.

In a rare “interview,” the Sabres owner fielded questions on his team’s radio program, “Sabres Hockey Hotline,” this morning, chatting 25 minutes by phone with hosts and team employees Kevin Sylvester and Andrew Peters.

Most notably, Pegula defended general manager Darcy Regier, whose teams have missed the playoffs the last two seasons, asking, “What’s he done wrong?” Pegula said he wants Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek, ... Read the full article

Sabres analyst Harry Neale humbled by Hall of Fame honor

BUFFALO – Harry Neale said he couldn’t believe the news, so when Chuck Kaiton informed the longtime NHL color analyst the Hockey Hall of Fame would be honoring him with the 2013 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, Neale told the Carolina Hurricanes’ play-by-play announcer to ring him again.

“It had never even crossed my mind that it was a possibility, and so I said, ‘Call me back in five minutes and reconfirm this, would you?’” an ... Read the full article

Sabres analyst Harry Neale calls Hall of Fame honor ‘glorious moment’

“It had never even crossed my mind that it was a possibility, and so I said, ‘Call me back in five minutes and reconfirm this, would you?’” Neale ... Read the full article

Reports: Rangers receive permission to talk with ex-Sabres coach Lindy Ruff

BUFFALO – The New York Rangers have received permission to talk with former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff about their vacancy, according to ESPN.com and “Hockey Night in Canada” analyst Glenn Healy.

Ruff, arguably the best veteran coach on the market, recently spoke to Dallas and also talked with Tampa Bay shortly after his Feb. 20 firing after more than 15 years leading the Sabres.

The Sabres technically possess Ruff’s “rights” since they’re still paying ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ott believes stick play could become looser with mandatory visor usage

BUFFALO – Like just about every hockey player, Steve Ott wore a visor as a youngster developing through the junior ranks. But the gritty Sabres winger ditched the facial protection when he cracked the NHL in 2002.

The visor bothered Ott. It cut him, fogged up and splashed water in his face. Playing without one made him feel more comfortable hitting.

But at the same time, he said it wasn’t a big deal wearing one.... Read the full article

Sabres pass on signing Buffalo native Alex Lepkowski

BUFFALO – The Sabres didn’t sign defenseman Alex Lepkowski, the 137^th overall pick in 2011, before the midnight deadline, so the 20-year-old will re-enter the NHL Entry Draft later this month.

Lepkowski, a Buffalo native, just finished his fourth season in the Ontario Hockey League.

The fifth-round pick had zero goals, nine points and 78 penalty minutes in 60 games this season with the Barrie Colts.... Read the full article

Sabres could target defenseman early in draft

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – If you’re expecting the Buffalo Sabres, a team with a dearth of proven scorers up front, to focus solely on a forward early during the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, think again.

“I think some things have changed,” amateur scouting director Kevin Devine said this afternoon during a break at the NHL Scouting Combine inside the International Centre. “The fact we moved some defenseman (at) the trade deadline, around there, two or three ... Read the full article

Sabres sign draft choice Jacobs

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed forward Colin Jacobs, the 107^th overall pick in 2011, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 20-year-old compiled 25 goals, 53 points, 98 penalty minutes and a minus-27 rating in 66 games with the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars this season.

The Sabres officially inked Jacobs late tonight, two days before the deadline for signing players drafted in 2011.

Defenseman Alex Lepkowski, a Buffalo native selected ... Read the full article

Report: Stars have spoken to former Sabres coach Ruff about opening

BUFFALO – Not surprisingly, new Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill recently spoke to former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff about his club’s vacancy, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Ruff, arguably the best veteran coach on the market, could speak with Nill more formally soon, the News reported. The 53-year-old Ruff also talked with Tampa Bay not long after his Feb. 20 firing.

The Stars also plan on interviewing Alain Vigneault, who likely ... Read the full article