Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Not long ago, Sabres wanted to sign Richards

BUFFALO – Incredibly, tonight in the New York, with the Rangers down 3-0 to Boston, coach John Tortorella will make alleged star Brad Richards and his $60 million contract a healthy scratch.

Richards, a former Conn Smythe winner with Tampa Bay in 2004, had already been relegated to the fourth line in the Eastern Conference semifinal, a series he has scored zero points.

Believe it or not, less than two years ago, the center was ... Read the full article

John Scott hopeful he’s found home after re-signing with Sabres

BUFFALO – Late this season, as John Scott began earning a regular shift beside some proven talent, the tough guy promised he would score his long-awaited second NHL goal.

Alas, despite skating more than 10 minutes some nights, Scott couldn’t net his first Sabres goal.

That elusive tally, Scott said Monday, will come next season.

“Oh, definitely, I’m going to get it,” Scott told the Times Herald by phone after the Sabres re-signed him to ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign tough guy John Scott to one-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed tough guy John Scott to a one-year contract extension, the club announced this morning.

The 30-year-old, the Sabres’ first designated fighter in years, impressed this season, quickly becoming a local folk hero because of his hulking stature (6-foot-8 and 270 pounds) and fun personality.

Scott defeated Boston bruiser Shawn Thornton handily in late January, sending a message the Sabres wouldn’t be bullied. He fought seven times in 34 games, ... Read the full article

Rolston confident Myers will regain old form for Sabres

BUFFALO – In nearly three months as Sabres coach, Ron Rolston has dealt with Tyler Myers delicately, always offering encouraging words for the struggling franchise defenseman.

“He’s on a really good path right now,” Rolston said last week inside the First Niagara Center, reiterating comments he made throughout the season.

Of course, if Rolston, who shed his interim tag last week, wants to succeed as the franchise’s 16^th coach, he needs Myers performing ... Read the full article

Maple Leafs’ Clarke MacArthur enjoying first taste of NHL playoffs

TORONTO – This is one of those special stories hockey fans love hearing about and watching this time of year, some of the moments that make the NHL playoffs so fun and memorable.

Consider Clarke MacArthur’s recent exploits.

Following his postseason debut in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal, the Maple Leafs scratched MacArthur twice, no doubt an embarrassing experience for the assistant captain, who played a whopping 403 regular-season games before finally skating ... Read the full article