Ennis - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres coach Ted Nolan glad trade deadline has passed

BUFFALO – It wasn’t a normal NHL trade deadline for the rebuilding Sabres. No one was off limits.

“If you look at the majority of the teams, they got one guy maybe they’re thinking about moving,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters today in Tampa Bay, a day after the deadline. “We had almost half our team in the trade mill. We didn’t really know until yesterday.

“There was a lot of anxious moments. ... Read the full article

Sabres want Canisius product Cory Conacher to help establish new culture

BUFFALO – Cory Conacher woke up early Wednesday morning knowing he’d have a new team by noon. The ensuing hours weren’t easy. The 24-year-old winger said he experienced a mix of excitement and sickness passing through waivers.

Finally, late in the morning, the Canisius College product found out the rebuilding Sabres had claimed him from the Ottawa Senators.

“I’m very excited,” Conacher told the Times Herald by phone Wednesday afternoon. “It was a long 24 ... Read the full article

Leaving Blues for lowly Sabres wasn’t easy for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart

BUFFALO – They’re only human, you know. Leaving the St. Louis Blues, a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, for the rebuilding Sabres wasn’t easy at first for goalie Jaroslav Halak and winger Chris Stewart.

But the veterans, part of Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller-Steve Ott deal, have accepted they’re now playing for the NHL’s worst team, at least temporarily.

Rumors are swirling the Sabres will flip them before Wednesday’s trade deadline. Halak, an unrestricted free agent ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan emotional over Pat LaFontaine’s departure from Sabres, doesn’t want to discuss future

BUFFALO – Pat LaFontaine’s resignation as the Sabres’ president of hockey operations has rocked interim coach Ted Nolan, his close friend.

“It’s tough,” an emotional Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I don’t even want to think about it right now, to tell you the truth. It’s that tough.”

Nolan hasn’t spoken to LaFontaine in the past couple of days and called his departure a “big surprise.”

“Everyone knows what kind ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth ready to seize starting job with Ryan Miller gone

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller is gone. Jaroslav Halak, the goalie the Sabres received in Friday’s blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Blues, will be an unrestricted free agent following the season. He could be dealt within days.

For now, Jhonas Enroth, Miller’s backup for three seasons, will shoulder the load down the stretch, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

The 25-year-old Swede finally has an opportunity to become a No. 1 goalie.

“If you ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Christian Ehrhoff has submitted no-trade list; Tyler Ennis out again

BUFFALO – With the NHL trade deadline five days away and rumors swirling, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan has started greeting captain Steve Ott in a special way.

“You don’t want to make light of it, but every day I walk in and say, ‘Steve, you still here?’” Nolan joked this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I talked to Tyler Myers on the ice today. His name popped up in the newspapers yesterday. I ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller focusing on what could be last start in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller knows most NHL cities can’t offer what this one has for 11 seasons. The Sabres goalie hasn’t just played for a team; he’s felt a part of something special in the community.

But right now isn’t the time to reflect, Miller said Thursday. He’s still with the Sabres. The former Vezina Trophy winner wants to focus on his 533^rd start tonight against the San Jose Sharks.

Still, with the NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller appreciative of fans and support from Buffalo over career

BUFFALO – Right now isn’t the time to look back, Ryan Miller said. The franchise goalie is playing Friday, his 533^rd start with the Sabres.

Still, the 33-year-old, who’s usually thoughtful, couldn’t help himself during a nearly 10-minute chat with the media this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

With the NHL trade deadline just six days away, Miller knows Friday could be his last game here.

“It’s kind played out for a little ... Read the full article

Late-game heroics help Sabres down Bruins, earn Jhonas Enroth rare win

BUFFALO – Having just won an Olympic silver medal, Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth could finally find some comfort in an otherwise miserable season. Sure, the struggling backup had just one win all year, but he had been Sweden’s No. 2 netminder behind Henrik Lundqvist, his idol.

Perhaps Enroth’s two weeks at the Sochi Games generated some much-needed confidence. The 25-year-old dazzled at times Wednesday, making some brilliant saves against the Boston Bruins before a capacity ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka ready to play after finger surgery; Tyler Ennis out tonight

BUFFALO – In Minnesota’s fifth game of the season Oct. 12, Sabres center Zenon Konopka broke his left pinky finger. Still, he wouldn’t leave the lineup. He even fought six times with the injury.

Finally, Konopka, a waiver pickup from the Wild last month, underwent surgery during the Olympic break.

“It was bugging me quite a bit,” Konopka, who will return tonight against the Boston Bruins, said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “So ... Read the full article