WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Nikita Zadorov could go back to junior. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov cut his finger blocking a shot in Friday’s exhibition finale and is out about two weeks, coach Ron Rolston said.
“It just kind of smashed it on the tip,” Rolston said Saturday inside the First Niagara Center.
The 18-year-old rookie had the injury stitched up, Rolston said.
Zadorov signed a three-year, entry-level contract Wednesday, although general manager Darcy Regier hinted then the Sabres would likely send the youngster ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov hurt his finger Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov cut his finger blocking a shot in Friday’s exhibition finale and is out about two weeks, coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon.
“It just kind of smashed it on the tip,” Rolston said inside the First Niagara Center.
The rookie had the injury stitched up, Rolston said.
Zadorov signed a three-year, entry-level contract Wednesday, although general manager Darcy Regier hinted then the Sabres would likely send the youngster back ... Read the full article
Joel Armia played four preseason games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Rookie winger Joel Armia broke his hand in Wednesday’s 3-0 exhibition win and is out indefinitely, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon.
Rolston said a slash from a Columbus Blue Jackets player injured Armia. He doesn’t think the 20-year-old Finn will need surgery, although that hasn’t been determined yet.
Armia impressed Rolston during his first NHL training camp, compiling a goal and three points in four preseason games.
“He was doing a ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov has made three preseason appearances. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The three-year, entry-level contract defenseman Nikita Zadorov signed Wednesday doesn’t affect the 18-year-old’s immediate NHL future, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said.
The team always intended to lock up Zadorov, the 16th overall pick in June, as quickly as possible. It’s only a coincidence the sides reached a deal in the midst of an impressive training camp from the Russian.
“I think if you can deal with it in his first year ... Read the full article
Joel Armia saw plenty of action Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This wasn’t a three-minute YouTube package of European highlights or a summer development camp scrimmage. This was slick Sabres prospect Joel Armia finally skating in some NHL action.
The hype surrounding Armia has been building since the Sabres selected the Finnish winger 16th overall in 2011. Yet few fans had seen the 20-year-old, who spent the last three seasons playing at home in SM-liiga, up close prior to Thursday’s exhibition home opener, ... Read the full article
Joel Armia skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The hype has been building since slick Finnish winger Joel Armia was selected 16th overall in 2011. In the 20-year-old, the Sabres possess a prospect so talented many believe he could crack the NHL right away.
Yet few have seen Armia, who spent the last three seasons playing at home in SM-liiga, up close.
Who exactly is this guy?
Fans will find out tonight, when Armia makes his Buffalo debut in the ... Read the full article
Corey Tropp only played six games last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Seventeen months after Corey Tropp played his last NHL game, the 24-year-old Sabres winger will return to the lineup tonight in Columbus.
Yes, it’s just an exhibition contest. But for Tropp, who suffered ligament damage in his right knee playing for Rochester opening night last season, it’s more than a preseason tilt.
Tropp’s back in the NHL.
“I’d be lying to you if I told you when I finished the season two ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston took over as coach on Feb. 20. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres convene for training camp physicals today inside the First Niagara Center, for better or worse, almost the same team that ended a disappointing, 11th-place season 137 days ago.
Other than a busy draft day and reacquiring 34-year-old defenseman Henrik Tallinder, the rebuilding club remained quiet throughout the summer.
Starting goalie Ryan Miller and leading scorer Thomas Vanek, two veteran stars rumored to be on the trading block, ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko played 25 NHL games last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Prospect Mikhail Grigorenko is ineligible for the 2013 NHL Prospect Tournament “because of the number of NHL games he was on the Sabres’ roster” last season, the team announced this afternoon, a day before play begins in Traverse City, Mich.
Grigorenko, who made 25 NHL appearances as a rookie in 2012-13, was arguably the biggest name on the 24-man roster the Sabres released for the eight-team tournament last month.
Two other youngsters on ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek and the Sabres will have 70 games aired on MSG next season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – MSG will televise 70 Sabres games in 2013-14, while NBC or NBC Sports Network will broadcast the other 12, the team announced today.
Ten games will air on NBC Sports Network. The other two will air on NBC or NBC Sports Network as part of the flex schedule.
The scheduled NBC games:
