Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres talking about other moves after waiving McCormick

BUFFALO – Naturally, waiving gritty forward Cody McCormick today begs the question: do the struggling Sabres have another move in mind?

“We’ve talked about it,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said this afternoon following a 90-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center. “It hasn’t been confirmed yet.”

Does that mean a recall from Rochester or even a trade could be imminent? Stay tuned.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobzija floated the theory McCormick’s roster spot ... Read the full article

Ehrhoff and Ennis missing from practice; McCormick on waivers

BUFFALO – Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and center Tyler Ennis are missing from Sabres practice this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. Stay tuned for an update later. Ehrhoff blocked a shot with his chest Sunday.

In addition, forward Cody McCormick, who’s practicing, is on waivers today, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

Fresh off Tuesday’s wretched 2-1 loss to Winnipeg, today could an interesting day.

Here are today’s lines from left to right:

Thomas Vanek, Cody ... Read the full article

Sabres jeered throughout ugly loss to Jets

BUFFALO – It was ugly. Testy fans kept booing the Sabres as they trudged toward a sluggish, uninspired 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. They moaned early and often as the Sabres ran around their own zone.

As the final horn signaled the Sabres’ second straight loss and fourth in five games, what remained of the capacity crowd of 19,070 booed them off the ice one more time.

Clearly, the Sabres’ rabid ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie T.J. Brennan replaces struggling Jordan Leopold

BUFFALO – The gaffe gnawed away at Jordan Leopold. His blown coverage on Pascal Dupuis’ late tying goal a day earlier left the struggling Sabres defenseman “upset … the whole day” Monday, he said.

The 32-year-old, a veteran of 602 NHL games, probably felt even worse Tuesday morning.

For Lindy Ruff, leaving Dupuis wide open in the right circle, something Leopold called an “easy read,” was the last straw. The Sabres coach scratched Leopold for ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Lindy Ruff on Ryan Miller’s passion: ‘We need more of it’

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff said this morning he hadn’t read Ryan Miller’s angry comments after the Sabres blew a third-period lead Sunday and lost 4-3 to Pittsburgh.

The coach, however, has heard about how a disgusted Miller cursed three times during his brief chat with the media. He loves the passion his franchise goalie showcased.

“When you start holding yourself accountable inside the room, you’ve almost got your team in the right place,” Ruff said ... Read the full article

Struggling Leopold to sit as Sabres turn to rookie Brennan

BUFFALO – Jordan Leopold walked into the dressing room following a long skate this morning, began taking off his equipment and noticed a few reporters waiting to chat with him.

The struggling defenseman was the last player off the ice for a reason.

“You guys smell blood or what?” joked Leopold, who will sit as a healthy scratch tonight against the Winnipeg Jets inside the First Niagara Center.

Leopold, a team-worst minus-7, has never been ... Read the full article

Despite Sheen’s criticism, Sabres’ Ehrhoff enjoying strong season

BUFFALO – Charlie Sheen’s a baseball guy, you know. He starred in two “Major League” movies as pitcher Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn and played centerfielder Happy Felsch in “Eight Men Out,” the story of the 1919 Chicago Black Sox.

The bad-boy actor has never hidden his affection for America’s pastime. He once bought all the outfield seats in Anaheim to try to grab a home run ball from an Angels game.

But what does he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ late collapse in loss to Penguins leaves Miller fuming

BUFFALO – Ten minutes after the Sabres’ disappointing 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon, a seething Ryan Miller stomped into the dressing room, crossed his arms and faced a throng of reporters and cameras.

The Sabres had just a blown 3-2 third-period lead after falling behind 2-0 only 87 seconds into the tilt.

Miller’s lip quivered as he cursed, sighed and vented his frustrations following the Sabres’ sixth loss in nine games.... Read the full article

Crosby continues dominance of Sabres

BUFFALO – No one can quite explain Sidney Crosby’s success against the Sabres. Chalk it up to the 25-year-old being hockey’s most talented superstar. Chalk it up to a bit of luck, too.

Whatever the case, the Pittsburgh Penguins center owns the Sabres.

Crosby registered a goal and three points in Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 win inside the First Niagara Center, extending his point streak against the Sabres to 14 games, a span in which he’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ McCormick scraps in return to lineup

BUFFALO – The Sabres made two lineup changes Sunday prior to their 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, sitting rookie center Mikhail Grigorenko for Cody McCormick and inserting Mike Weber for defenseman Andrej Sekera (charley horse).

McCormick and Tanner Glass fought ferociously during the third period, possibly a response to McCormick’s earlier hit on Brandon Sutter inside the First Niagara Center.

“I think he didn’t have the puck,” Bylsma said about Sutter.

McCormick could’ve walloped ... Read the full article