WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Ryan O’Reilly scores his first goal Monday afternoon. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Three games into the season, Ryan O’Reilly, the shiny acquisition the Sabres recently awarded a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension and touted as their No. 1 center, has already been shifted to the left wing.
In an attempt to ignite his struggling top line Monday afternoon, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma moved Zemgus Girgensons to center between O’Reilly and Tyler Ennis for the Sabres’ 4-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets inside the ... Read the full article
The Sabres recalled Jake McCabe this morning. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Seven defensemen will take the pregame warm-up this afternoon for the Sabres, coach Dan Bylsma said. Which one will sit against the Columbus Blue Jackets? He wouldn’t say.
Bylsma, however, said Jake McCabe will make his season debut. The Sabres summoned the defenseman, who turns 22 years old today, from the Rochester Americans this morning.
Update: Carlo Colaiacovo, a minus-3 this season, will sit. So will Matt Donovoan, who skated in the ... Read the full article
Nathan Lieuwen enjoyed a strong training camp. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The news on Robin Lehner, as expected, was bad. A high ankle sprain will sideline the starting goalie six to 10 weeks, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Sunday.
“It’s not a complete surprise to get the results and have that be the timeframe,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center.
So Lehner, who has been wheeling around the rink on a cart with his No. 40 and a Sabres logo, could possibly ... Read the full article
Evander Kane (9) tries to move around Columbus’ Kevin Connauton on Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For almost 40 minutes Friday, much of the optimism the Sabres created early in the preseason vanished as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ junior varsity squad throttled a lineup filled with stars and regular talent.
The Blue Jackets scored on two of their first three shots and led 3-0 after the first period. When they went up 5-0 8:15 into the second period, the Sabres had five shots.
“It wasn’t at all how ... Read the full article
Josh Gorges was hurt in his preseason debut. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Josh Gorges almost revealed what had sidelined him for a week of training camp.
Almost.
“Just a quick cleanup in my,” the Sabres defenseman said this morning before pausing briefly, “lower body.”
Yes, Gorges, who underwent microfracture surgery in February, has already undergone a minor procedure this season. He said he was injured nine days ago going into the corner against the Ottawa Senators.
While Gorges skated this morning and feels good, he ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel won the Hobey Baker Award on Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel will play for the Buffalo Sabres next season.
Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets clinched 30th place for the rebuilding Sabres, meaning they can fall no lower than second during the NHL Draft Lottery next Saturday and select one of the prized 18-year-old centers in June.
The Sabres have a 20 percent chance of getting McDavid, hockey’s biggest prospect since Sidney Crosby.
On Friday, about 240 ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart was assigned to Rochester on Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart’s AHL debut with the Rochester Americans is in on hold.
The 19-year-old center, the No. 2 pick in June, has a nagging injury and will likely play for the team in one week, according to WHTK’s Rob Sanderson. It was expected Reinhart would play tonight when the Amerks host Toronto.
The Sabres assigned Reinhart to Rochester on Thursday, three days after his junior season ended.
In other ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen (55) battles Philadelphia’s Wayne Simmonds for the puck earlier this year. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It was March 14, and Zach Bogosian’s injury had suddenly left the Sabres short-handed. Coach Ted Nolan needed a defenseman to fill the newcomer’s big minutes, so he turned to 20-year-old Rasmus Ristolainen, one of his top prospects.
At times, Ristolainen’s second NHL season had been a rough ride. He had already been playing 20 minutes many nights. Why add more to the youngster’s plate?
Nolan wanted to see how Ristolainen, ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov will likely sit out tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Each time Nikita Zadorov violates a team rule, it’s important to remember the Sabres defenseman wasn’t drafted by Tim Murray. The gruff general manager isn’t tied to the Russian.
Sure, Zadorov, the 16th pick in 2013, is an elite prospect. At just 19 years old, he’s already a big contributor to the Sabres. Zadorov recently compiled seven points in seven games. The Sabres scored only 16 times in that stretch. He could ... Read the full article
Luke Adam scored 15 goals in 86 games with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As a rookie three years ago, Luke Adam was a top prospect and budding star for the Sabres. The forward quickly became a Calder Trophy candidate, scoring three goals and six points in his first four games.
Adam, who often centered stars Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek, scored his 10th goal and 20th point in his 32nd game in 2011-12.
He never recorded another point that season.
By early that ... Read the full article