WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
September Edition
Hudson Fasching has been busy doing homework. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – On Wednesday night, hours before Sabres rookie Hudson Fasching had to be at the First Niagara Center to prepare for his fourth NHL game, he was in his hotel room taking a quiz.
Fasching, 20, has kept working toward his entrepreneurial management degree since leaving the University of Minnesota last week following his junior season. He’s taking classes online and is on track to graduate in May.
Three nights earlier, Fasching wrote a ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner’s season is over. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If the Sabres were still in the hunt for the postseason, then perhaps goalie Robin Lehner would’ve battled through his ankle injury and kept playing, coach Dan Bylsma said.
“I can’t say that for sure,” Bylsma said this morning. “It might’ve been the case if we were in a different spot in the standings right now and fighting for a playoff spot.”
Instead, Lehner underwent season-ending surgery this week. The Swede, 24, suffered ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons could have a long career with the Sabres. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
SUNRISE, Fla. – How good have the Buffalo Sabres drafted in recent years? Judge for yourself below.
Since most drafts don’t start paying dividends for a few years, here’s a look at the Sabres’ selections from 2007-12 and some notable hits and misses. Sixteen of Buffalo’s 45 draft choices over that time – 36 percent – have made the NHL.
The Sabres have eight picks at this weekend’s NHL Draft, including the No. 2 selection, ... Read the full article
T.J. Brennan played 21 games with the Sabres. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In the beginning, former Sabres prospect T.J. Brennan followed a normal path to the NHL. The high-scoring defenseman developed four seasons in the AHL before briefly cracking the Sabres two years ago.
Back then, Brennan, who grew up in New Jersey playing lacrosse, didn’t fully understand what it took to make the NHL.
“I’ve always been kind of learn as I go,” Brennan said Wednesday prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 win against the ... Read the full article
Alex Biega made his NHL debut Feb. 16. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Alex Biega had finally cracked an NHL roster. For 10 days in December, the defenseman earned a fatter paycheck and practiced with the Vancouver Canucks.
But, oddly enough, the 26-year-old former Sabres prospect never played. He got tantalizingly close to game action once, dressing for the pregame warm-up.
“It wasn’t frustrating, but I guess I was antsy just to get in,” Biega said by phone Wednesday after the Canucks landed in Buffalo. “I ... Read the full article
Phil Varone is on recall to the Sabres. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Rochester Americans center Phil Varone, who’s on recall to the Buffalo Sabres, has been named to the AHL All-Star Game, the league announced today.
Varone has enjoyed another strong AHL season, compiling eight goals and a team-high 29 points in 35 games with the Amerks.
The 24-year-old is set to make his NHL season debut tonight in New Jersey.
Two former Sabres also earned spots in the game. Hershey Bears forward Tim Kennedy, ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta was an alternate captain during the preseason. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Since the Sabres signed Brian Gionta on July 1, the talk, understandably, has centered on the veteran winger’s leadership.
The 35-year-old captained the storied Montreal Canadiens for four seasons. The rebuilding Sabres need someone to wear the ‘C.’ Gionta’s the most qualified candidate.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Thursday a new captain would be named soon. The Greece native could be awarded the prestigious letter as soon as Monday.
But in ... Read the full article
Drew Bagnall has spent almost all of his career in the AHL. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It didn’t take Sabres fans long to experience some of that suffering general manager Darcy Regier warned could lie ahead.
As free agency opened Friday afternoon and teams began piling up assets, the rebuilding Sabres remained quiet most of the day.
Finally, at about 9:30 p.m., TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported the Sabres had signed AHL defenseman Drew Bagnall to a two-year, two-way contract.
That depth move probably won’t make the team’s anxious fan ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers played 39 games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers absorbed P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point with his leg.
After blocking the lethal shot, Myers hobbled off seconds later when the Canadiens converted their five-on-three power play.
The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.
Following the contest, Myers found ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers’ season ended Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers laid out on the ice, blocking P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point.
Myers got up and hobbled off seconds later after the Canadiens scored on the five-on-three power play.
The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.
Following the game, Myers ... Read the full article