WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Ron Rolston had never coached in the NHL prior to his Feb. 20 promotion. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Hours after Ron Rolston replaced Lindy Ruff on an interim basis Feb. 20, the new Sabres coach walked into a Toronto hotel and addressed a room full of shocked players.
Most veterans knew nothing about Rolston, a college, junior-age and AHL coach for 23 years. The 46-year-old had never spent one day in the NHL.
“You’re always wondering what’s going to happen when he first comes in,” Sabres winger Steve Ott said ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston is the 16th coach in franchise history. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When Darcy Regier promoted Ron Rolston to interim coach Feb. 20, the Sabres general manager originally planned to interview other candidates following the season.
But as the campaign progressed, Regier noticed Rolston’s motivating and teaching talents. That the Sabres finished 12th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs didn’t matter.
Regier wanted Rolston, a noted talent developer, to take over the young, rebuilding club.
He never spoke to anyone else.... Read the full article
Ron Rolston took over on an interim basis Feb. 20. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres today named Ron Rolston, the team’s interim coach since Feb. 20, the 16th coach in franchise history.
The 46-year-old went 15-11-5 after taking over for Lindy Ruff. The Sabres summoned him from Rochester, where he had led the AHL Americans since 2011-12.
Rolston and Sabres general manager Darcy Regier, who said last week he would decide Rolston’s future quickly, plan to address the media at 11 a.m. inside the ... Read the full article
Toronto star Joffrey Lupul skates Monday morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Think about it, Buffalo Sabres fans, a couple of years ago, your team switched identities with the hated, mega-market Maple Leafs.
As the small-market Sabres morphed into a free-spending, win-at-all-costs club under new owner Terry Pegula, the Leafs began embracing development and patience, the Sabres’ old and successful philosophies.
The Leafs’ major volte-face has quickly paid off. They finished fifth this season, their highest spot since 2003-04.
Inside a noisy Air Canada Centre ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick just finished his first AHL stint since 2009-10. ©2013, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – In an instant, Cody McCormick vanished from the NHL.
On Feb. 20, the struggling Buffalo Sabres waived the gritty forward mid-practice, then immediately yanked him from the ice, a demeaning exit for a popular veteran who fought 26 times during his 139-game tenure.
McCormick then showered, left the First Niagara Center and went home. He reported to the Americans after clearing waivers the next day, his first AHL stint since 2009-10.... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons scored three times in three playoff games. ©2013, Dan Hickling Olean Times Herald
ROCHESTER – Interim Americans coach Chadd Cassidy called the AHL a “man’s league,” and, well, Zemgus Girgensons is still a kid, just 19 years old.
As a teenage rookie, Girgensons was supposed to play a supporting role during the Amerks’ first-round playoff series against the powerhouse Toronto Marlies. The Latvian winger scored only six goals in 61 regular-season games this year.
But Girgensons, a hard-hitting prospect the Buffalo Sabres moved up to select 14th... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko played about 90 games in three leagues this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
ROCHESTER – Nine months, three leagues and about 90 games later, Mikhail Grigorenko’s whirlwind season is over.
Each stop – the QMJHL, the NHL and finally the AHL – energized the 18-year-old Russian, who just joined the Americans for their first-round playoff series.
Still, after Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Toronto Marlies eliminated the Amerks, the center acknowledged the long campaign had worn him out.
“A little bit I’m tired mentally,” Grigorenko said inside ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford scored his first goal in the Sabres’ 15th game. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For some perspective on Drew Stafford’s disappointing six-goal, 18-point season, consider the winger compiled seven goals and 17 points during a torrid 12-game stretch late last year.
Stafford assembled his awful numbers in 46 contests this season. The 27-year-old scored his first goal in the Sabres’ 15th game. He was a healthy scratch twice. Rookie Brian Flynn equaled his goal output in 20 fewer appearances.
Remember, Stafford scored 32 times ... Read the full article
Darcy Regier is putting the Stanley Cup, the ultimate goal, ahead of simply reaching the postseason. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres want their rabid fan base to understand something, general manager Darcy Regier said. The organization’s new philosophy – one that embraces building for a Stanley Cup, not simply making the playoffs – could require some suffering.
“We have gone with more determination in a very distinct direction, which is about the Stanley Cup,” Regier said Monday during a contentious and even bizarre 46-minute season-ending news conference inside the First Niagara Center. ... Read the full article
Ted Black jabbed with reporters Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ season-ending news conference Monday started innocently enough.
Sabres president Ted Black said Darcy Regier would be returning as general manager. Regier talked about interim coach Ron Rolston’s future, which will be determined later.
But that tranquility only lasted briefly. The atmosphere inside the cramped First Niagara Center press room quickly became contentious.
Within minutes, reporters started hammering Black on the Sabres’ decision to announce their 4 percent season-ticket increase on Friday, ... Read the full article