WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Free Agency Edition
Ted Nolan was fired Sunday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The odds, of course, were stacked against Ted Nolan succeeding in his second run as Sabres coach, which ended with his firing Sunday night, less than a day after a 30th-place finish.
Nolan wasn’t truly Tim Murray’s guy. Sure, the general manager awarded him a three-year contract late last season. But old friend Pat LaFontaine hired Nolan as interim coach early in 2013-14 before leaving months later.
Perhaps Murray felt obligated ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan signed a three-year contract last year. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a not-so-surprising move, the Sabres fired Ted Nolan tonight, ending the popular coach’s second run here.
The rebuilding Sabres just finished the season 30th overall.
In addition, the team also fired assistant coach Danny Flynn and won’t renew the contracts of assistants Bryan Trottier and Tom Coolen.
Stay tuned for more details.
Update: General manager Tim Murray said he decided to fire Nolan today after six hours of interviews with players.... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno was playing some of his best hockey ever in December. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Given the Sabres’ sorry state these days, it’s almost difficult to remember now. But for a brief stretch earlier this season, they morphed into a young team on the rise, winning a string of exciting games in dramatic fashion.
The rebuilding club triumphed 10 times in 13 games – they have only 20 victories in 75 outings all season – during a rollicking run in November and December, roaring back night after night.... Read the full article
Chad Ruhwedel hasn’t played in the NHL this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Get ready to see another defenseman play for the Sabres. With Zach Bogosian and Andrej Meszaros injured, the club will likely recall Chad Ruhwedel from Rochester for tonight’s tilt against the Washington Capitals, coach Ted Nolan said.
The 24-year-old Ruhwedel would be the 11th defenseman to dress for the Sabres this year.
Update: The Sabres have officially recalled Ruhwedel.
Bogosian’s lower-body injury hasn’t improved, Nolan said. Meanwhile, Meszaros, who hurt his hand ... Read the full article
Phil Varone skates Wednesday inside HarborCenter. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Prior to Phil Varone’s 19th NHL game Tuesday, the Sabres center couldn’t find his No. 84 written on the board with the team’s new line combinations.
The 24-year-old looked again and found it an unexpected spot.
“I didn’t see it at the top,” Varone said Wednesday following practice inside HarborCenter. “It was pretty surreal, obviously. I was in the AHL three weeks ago. It’s just pretty special.”
Yes, Varone, who has three ... Read the full article
Chris Stewart joined Minnesota on Monday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ deals before Monday’s trade deadline stripped the NHL’s worst team of four assets. Gone are starting goalie Michal Neuvirth, first-line winger Chris Stewart and centers Brian Flynn and Torrey Mitchell, two checkers thrust into bigger roles thanks to the rebuilding team’s shortage of talent.
In return, the Sabres received, well, nothing very notable or of immediate help. Only one NHL player, backup goalie Chad Johnson, came back. They also added four ... Read the full article
Brian Flynn (65) battles for the puck with Philadelphia’s Ryan White earlier this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Less than three years ago, Brian Flynn was an undrafted and mostly unknown youngster at the University of Maine. The versatile forward’s signing with the Sabres barely registered with the fan base.
But Flynn quickly and quietly worked himself into a strong NHL prospect.
After less than a season in Rochester, Flynn debuted with the Sabres in 2012-13. The 26-year-old played regularly until they dealt him to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday for ... Read the full article
Tim Murray talks to the media this afternoon. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Here are some highlights from Sabres general manager Tim Murray’s chat with the media after making four deals before the 3 p.m. trade deadline.
The deals netted the Sabres one NHL player, backup goalie Chad Johnson. Centers Brian Flynn and Torrey Mitchell, goalie Michal Neuvirth and winger Chris Stewart were traded.
On what type of day it was:
“Was it a good day? It’s never a good day to give good people away. ... Read the full article
Brian Flynn (65) skates around Dallas’ Alex Goligoski last month. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Less than three years ago, Brian Flynn was an undrafted and mostly unknown prospect at the University of Maine. The versatile forward’s signing with the Sabres barely registered with the fan base.
But Flynn quickly and quietly worked himself into a strong NHL prospect.
After less than a season in Rochester, Flynn debuted with the Sabres in 2012-13. The 26-year-old played regularly until they dealt him to the Montreal Canadiens for a fifth-round ... Read the full article
Brian Flynn has played 159 NHL games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have traded center Brian Flynn to the Montreal Canadiens for a fifth-round pick in 2016.
Flynn has five goals and 17 points in 54 games this season. The 26-year-old, a free agent from the University of Maine, signed with Sabres in 2012.
The Boston native has 17 goals and 41 points in 159 NHL games.
Flynn, a strong checker who can play center and wing, played 15 minutes, 53 seconds a ... Read the full article