Antipin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres rookie Victor Antipin excited to showcase skills in NHL

BUFFALO – Among the pro hockey players enjoying a late-summer skate Thursday inside HarborCenter, an unfamiliar face stood out, a goateed youngster in Sabres apparel sporting No. 93.

Who was it? Russian defenseman Victor Antipin, perhaps the Sabres’ most intriguing offseason addition.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Phil Housley likes defense, plans to lean on Marco Scandella

BUFFALO – In a two-week span last month, general manager Jason Botterill addressed the Sabres’ most glaring weakness by acquiring defensemen Nathan Beaulieu and Marco Scandella.

Is either player elite? Hardly. Still, as puck-moving defenders, Beaulieu and Scandella offer talents the Sabres sorely lacked last season and add some much-needed depth.... Read the full article

Brendan Guhle, other Sabres prospects must prove themselves

BUFFALO – As Brendan Guhle watched the Nashville Predators’ recent run to the Stanley Cup final, the Sabres prospect developed an appreciation for their dynamic defense corps, a group coached by Phil Housley.

So when the Sabres named Housley, a Hall of Fame defenseman, head coach June 15, Guhle said he was “pretty excited.”... Read the full article

Sabres add missing defense piece in Marco Scandella

BUFFALO – NHL general managers, the Sabres’ Jason Botterill said, are “very greedy.”

“You always want to have more defense out there,” Botterill said Friday after after acquiring defenseman Marco Scandella and bringing back former captain Jason Pominville from the Minnesota Wild for wingers Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno.... Read the full article

Sabres add to defense, trade for Nathan Beaulieu

BUFFALO – It’s no secret the Sabres must improve their blue line if they want to end their six-year playoff drought. So it was hardly surprising Jason Botterill’s first trade as general manager brought defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, a former first-round pick, to the club.

The Sabres on Saturday dealt a third-round pick, 68th overall, in this week’s NHL Draft to the Montreal Canadiens for the 24-year-old, the 17th overall selection in 2011.... Read the full article

Sabres sign Victor Antipin to bolster defense

BUFFALO – Defenseman Victor Antipin has officially joined the Sabres.

More than two months after it was first reported Antipin would leave the KHL for the NHL, the Sabres signed the 24-year-old to a one-year, entry-level contract today.

“Victor is a well-rounded defenseman who has played in all situations at the pro level,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said in a statement. “His mobility and puck-moving skills make him a perfect match for what we’re ... Read the full article

Report: Viktor Antipin terminates contract to join Sabres

Russian defenseman Viktor Antipin has terminated his contract with KHL club Metallurg Magnitogorsk to join the Buffalo Sabres, according to Sport-Express’ Igor Ironko.

The 5-foot-11, 179-pound Antipin, 24, compiled six goals and 24 points in 59 games this season, his fifth KHL campaign. He added seven goals – the most among defensemen – and 11 points in 18 playoff contests.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nick Deslauriers finally playing, contributing

BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Dan Bylsma charged Nick Deslauriers with creating some energy, the gritty winger’s first instinct, of course, was to fight.

But these days, those opportunities are scarce. Deslauriers has only fought four times this season. He certainly wasn’t going to find one enjoying a rare shift on the first line with the listless Sabres down three goals Saturday.

“I would’ve loved to get a fight there, but I don’t think ... Read the full article