Crosby - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres deal Regehr to Kings for draft picks, look to future

PITTSBURGH – Robyn Regehr’s absence from Buffalo Sabres practice Monday morning inside the First Niagara Center raised eyebrows.

With Wednesday’s deadline approaching, had the veteran defenseman waived his no-trade clause and been dealt?

The 32-year-old was just enjoying a maintenance day off the ice.

Shortly after practice ended around noon, Regehr walked into the dressing room and said he couldn’t “say yes or no right now” about ditching his no-trade clause again, which he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ late collapse in loss to Penguins leaves Miller fuming

BUFFALO – Ten minutes after the Sabres’ disappointing 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon, a seething Ryan Miller stomped into the dressing room, crossed his arms and faced a throng of reporters and cameras.

The Sabres had just a blown 3-2 third-period lead after falling behind 2-0 only 87 seconds into the tilt.

Miller’s lip quivered as he cursed, sighed and vented his frustrations following the Sabres’ sixth loss in nine games.... Read the full article

Crosby continues dominance of Sabres

BUFFALO – No one can quite explain Sidney Crosby’s success against the Sabres. Chalk it up to the 25-year-old being hockey’s most talented superstar. Chalk it up to a bit of luck, too.

Whatever the case, the Pittsburgh Penguins center owns the Sabres.

Crosby registered a goal and three points in Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 win inside the First Niagara Center, extending his point streak against the Sabres to 14 games, a span in which he’s ... Read the full article

Crosby impressed by Sabres superstar Vanek

BUFFALO – With three straight pointless games entering this afternoon’s tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sabres superstar Thomas Vanek is struggling a bit for the first time this season.

Still, the slick winger’s 11-goal, 23-point start has been dynamic. Count Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby among those who’ve noticed Vanek’s exploits.

“I’m pretty aware of how consistent he’s been,” Crosby said Saturday after the Penguins prepared for the Sabres inside the First Niagara Center.

In Crosby’s ... Read the full article

Crosby believes ‘a lot of different things’ make Sabres superstar Vanek great

BUFFALO – With three straight pointless games entering Sunday’s tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sabres superstar Thomas Vanek is struggling a bit for the first time this season.

Still, the slick winger’s 11-goal, 23-point start has been dynamic. Count Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby among those who’ve noticed Vanek’s exploits.

“I’m pretty aware of how consistent he’s been,” Crosby said this afternoon following the Penguins’ practice inside the First Niagara Center.

In Crosby’s mind, what makes ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sekera likely out for Penguins game

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Andrej Sekera, who left Friday’s 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins after suffering a charley horse midway through the third period, will likely miss Sunday afternoon’s tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“He’s doing OK today,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “I’d say doubtful for tomorrow.”

It’s likely Mike Weber will return to the lineup after getting scratched Friday.

The Sabres just dealt ... Read the full article

Early pace by Sabres’ Thomas Vanek could help shatter short-season records

The scoring benchmarks set during the only other lockout-shortened season – the 48-game 1994-95 campaign – are steep. The NHL hadn’t fully devolved into a clutch-and-grab league then.

Top scorers still racked up some pretty gaudy numbers.

Peter Bondra’s 34 goals, two more than Jaromir Jagr, topped the league. Jagr and Eric Lindros both scored 70 points. Ron Francis had 48 assists.

With an utterly dominant three-goal, five-point performance in the Buffalo Sabres’ dizzying ... Read the full article

Sabres players hoping meeting with owners will get labor talks rolling

AMHERST – Perhaps today’s meeting between players and owners in New York can facilitate some meaningful dialogue, even generate a breakthrough in the contentious negotiations between the NHL and the Players’ Association.

Eighty days into the NHL lockout, adding a fresh dynamic to the stale labor talks could be beneficial, some Buffalo Sabres players said.

“I don’t know if it will (facilitate dialogue), but it’s worth a shot,” Sabres winger Thomas Vanek said Monday after ... Read the full article

Sabres players hopeful mediation can lead to breakthrough

AMHERST – Mediation can’t hurt, right? Heck, with the NHL lockout now 75 days old, the league and the NHL Players’ Association desperately need something new to help jumpstart negotiations.

Why not get a third party involved?

That finally happened Wednesday at an undisclosed location, as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service began overseeing negotiations between the league and the NHLPA.

“Hopefully, he can (lend) his opinion and bring some new ideas and make both ... Read the full article

With Sabres’ ‘amazing’ opening night gone, attention has turned to Rochester

ROCHESTER – The 42^nd opening night in Buffalo Sabres history would’ve been “huge,” winger Drew Stafford said, even “amazing.” New seasons breed hope and optimism, and if the NHL lockout wasn’t in its 28^th day, both would be sweeping through Buffalo right now.

The club was scheduled to host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight inside a capacity First Niagara Center.

The Sabres, healthy and stocked with offseason reinforcements, might’ve been considered ... Read the full article