Ennis - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Late penalty dooms Sabres in loss to Canadiens; Matt D’Agostini expected to join team today

BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis said he was simply trying to hit his spot on the Sabres’ set breakout. Both wingers are supposed to loop. He had no intention of trying to pick Ryan White.

“All of a sudden he was going to my ice,” Ennis said Wednesday following the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, their fifth straight defeat.

With the Sabres down 2-1 with 2:58 remaining, a referee whistled Ennis for interference, giving ... Read the full article

Sabres grab early lead against tired Red Wings, falter again late

BUFFALO – The reeling Detroit Red Wings limped into a town Sunday a beaten up and tired bunch ripe to be exploited. They left galvanized by only their second win in 10 games, a tight 3-1 triumph against the rested Sabres in a dull, low-chance affair.

Playing without three regulars, including star Pavel Datsyuk, the Wings fell behind early before scoring the go-ahead goal 11:43 into the third period inside the First Niagara Center.

So ... Read the full article

Sabres reward Luke Adam and Brayden McNabb for strong starts with Amerks

BUFFALO – Luke Adam figured he had fallen out of the Sabres’ plans. The 23-year-old winger, a strong Calder Trophy candidate two years ago at this time, barely received a look during the exhibition season.

The struggling, goal-starved team then refused to summon Adam from Rochester as he began piling up scores and recapturing his old form.

“I think they kind of had their mind made up,” Adam said Wednesday inside the First Niagara Center ... Read the full article

Sabres going ‘back to the drawing board’ after NHL rejects Mikhail Grigorenko’s conditioning assignment

BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko figured he’d be starting a two-week AHL conditioning assignment today. The 19-year-old Sabres prospect had already dropped his equipment off at the rink and checked into a Rochester hotel when a team front office member contacted him at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

The NHL had rejected the assignment.

Grigorenko drove back to Buffalo and practiced with the Sabres today.

What happened?

“You read the rules and see how they work,” interim Sabres ... Read the full article

Mikhail Grigorenko with Sabres after NHL rejects conditioning assignment

BUFFALO – The NHL has rejected Mikhail Grigorenko’s AHL conditioning assignment, so the 19-year-old center’s back practicing with the Sabres this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

The Sabres sent the Russian, a healthy scratch recently, to Rochester on Tuesday. Stay tuned for more details. The Sabres said they respect the decision.

Meanwhile, winger Luke Adam and defenseman Brayden McNabb have been recalled from the Americans and are on the ice.

Tyler Ennis isn’t practicing. ... Read the full article

Sabres start fast against Blues, can’t hold on

BUFFALO – This was going to be a fun one, right? Tyler Ennis scored 10 seconds into Tuesday’s tilt against the St. Louis Blues. The Sabres, so vile most of the season, have finally started competing and generating some excitement under interim coach Ted Nolan.

Ennis’ goal wound up being the Sabres’ lone highlight in a boring 4-1 loss before 17,710 fans inside the First Niagara Center.

“It’s kind of another learning curve, right?” ... Read the full article

Sabres showcase more compete in loss to Leafs

TORONTO – In a first period reminiscent of the Ron Rolston era, the Buffalo Sabres fell behind 2-0 by the 13:35 mark Saturday and looked overmatched against a hungry Maple Leafs team anxious to end a three-game losing skid.

Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan had a strong message for his new team following the first period.

“Ted came in and told us and said, ‘You guys are garbage,’” Sabres tough guy John Scott said.

The ... Read the full article

Pat LaFontaine’s phone call to Ted Nolan left Sabres coach speechless

BUFFALO – It was going to be a special weekend trip to New York. Ted Nolan and his wife, Sandra, would celebrate her birthday and watch their son, Jordan, play for the Los Angeles Kings.

Nolan also wanted to see “The Book of Mormon” musical on Broadway. So he recently called Pat LaFontaine, a close friend with a ticket connection.

“I said, ‘Teddy, you better get ready for the show. It’s a pretty interesting show,’” ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan expecting emotional debut as Sabres’ interim coach; Pat LaFontaine to start GM search next week

BUFFALO – It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for Ted Nolan. Since taking over as the Sabres’ interim coach, the 55-year-old has been trying to learn everything about his new players and team.

Nolan said he hasn’t had time to be nervous for his highly anticipated debut tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

Instead, he’s worrying about his players’ names.

“I’ve been so focused on what I have to ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan ready for interim debut against Leafs, puts Sabres through spirited practice

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan’s loud voice boomed throughout the ice during the Sabres’ lively 60-minute practice Thursday inside the First Niagara Center. The interim coach kept encouraging his players, even following them during the up-tempo drills.

The Sabres responded to the fast pace, showcasing much more energy and emotion than they had under Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday in a major shakeup.

Players tapped sticks, hooted and hollered. Most importantly, they seemed to ... Read the full article