WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
November Edition
Alexander Sulzer was scratched 51 times last season in Vancouver. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When was the last time Alexander Sulzer started an NHL season confident he could be a regular?
“Never, first time,” the Sabres defenseman said Wednesday inside the First Niagara Center.
Having a roster spot isn’t new for Sulzer. He’s spent parts of the past four seasons in the NHL, including the last two from beginning to end. It’s just that he rarely played prior to his Feb. 27 arrival from Vancouver.
From the ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko must impress the Sabres during practices and scrimmages. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – While practicing and scrimmaging against his Sabres teammates, yeah, top prospect Mikhail Grigorenko looks like he belongs among NHL players.
But how will Grigorenko fare against other competition? The NHL isn’t playing preseason games during this abbreviated training camp, so the 18-year-old’s first appearance could potentially be a regular-season tilt.
It makes the Sabres’ evaluation of Grigorenko a bit tougher.
“You’d love to see him in preseason games,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick needs to test his injured finger’s strength. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Some quick Sabres injury updates following another training camp session today inside the First Niagara Center:
– Nathan Gerbe (spine) had his second full practice with contact today. At one point late, the 5-foot-5, 173-pound winger clipped 6-foot-8, 280-pound tough guy John Scott in the mouth with his stick as the two battled one-on-one.
“That was great. I love it,” Gerbe said about bumping with Scott. “He’s a big guy. I think he’s ... Read the full article
John Scott’s presence isn’t always intimidating. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – John Scott, the stay-at-home Michigan Tech University defenseman, had no future playing big league hockey. Ten years ago, the NHL “really wasn’t on my radar at all,” the Sabres’ new enforcer said.
Scott was merely an average NCAA player. His hockey life would expire with his eligibility.
But Scott hadn’t yet grasped his 6-foot-8 stature could transform him into an NHL prospect. He possessed size, a precious commodity.
“My coach at Tech,” Scott ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko’s skills have been wowing teammates. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Coach Lindy Ruff likely won’t reveal the Sabres’ plans for first-round pick Mikhail Grigorenko until Friday, when teams must have their rosters set by 3 p.m.
Still, questions about Grigorenko’s status will be asked all week.
So, Lindy, will he receive the five-game trial available for junior players?
“It’s too early to say,” Ruff said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “He had a good scrimmage (Monday). He had a ... Read the full article
Adam Pardy played only 36 games last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Adam Pardy couldn’t handle his difficult situation in Dallas last season. Becoming a spare part and clashing with his coach wore the Sabres’ new defenseman down mentally. Going to the rink every day became tough.
Following the season, Pardy felt “embarrassed for myself as a player, as a person,” he said. The 28-year-old had sat 44 times as a healthy scratch and even went back to the minors briefly. The negative experience gnawed ... Read the full article
The Sabres invited Joe Finley to training camp last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The New York Islanders claimed hulking Rochester Americans defenseman Joe Finley, who played five games with the Sabres last season, off waivers Monday.
“Actually, it was disappointing, but I understand it,” Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said Monday inside the First Niagara Center following an intrasquad scrimmage. “(Isles general manager) Garth Snow called me just before waiver time to give me a courtesy call to let me know they were going to take ... Read the full article
Joe Finley’s hulking size makes him an intimidating presence. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The New York Islanders claimed Rochester Americans defenseman Joe Finley off waivers today, according to Newsday’s Arthur Staple.
Finley, a training camp invite last season, played five games with the Sabres in 2011-12, compiling 12 penalty minutes and a minus-3 rating.
The 6-foot-8, 249-pound American first earned an AHL contract, then a two-way deal after impressing the Sabres.
Finley’s size earned him a cult following among Sabres and Amerks supporters, with fans ... Read the full article
Jochen Hecht left his family to play at home in Germany briefly. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Nine months earlier, in the same spot he stood smiling Sunday, Jochen Hecht had fought back tears discussing what appeared to be the end of his long Sabres career.
Back then, concussions – three in 10 months and two in five, including a serious, season-ending one last January – had derailed the German’s career. He was turning 35 years old and entering free agency following a 22-game season.
The chances of the Sabres ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko (right) “doesn’t look like a junior player,” coach Lindy Ruff said. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – About 10 minutes into his first NHL practice, Mikhail Grigorenko calmed down, channeled his nervous energy and began showcasing the many talents that could land the 18-year-old in the Sabres’ opening-day lineup next week.
The slick Russian center enjoyed a solid showing on Sunday, the first day of training camp and the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
But, as Lindy Ruff said, “practice drills are one thing.” Competition drills, where Grigorenko can utilize his 6-foot-3, ... Read the full article