Foligno - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson questionable for Flames; Alexander Sulzer nearing return

BUFFALO – Not much to report from Sabreland this afternoon following practice.

Center Cody Hodgson (lower body) missed today’s session and is a “possibility” for Saturday’s afternoon tilt against the Calgary Flames. Hodgson missed Thursday’s 2-1 loss in Ottawa.

“Cody’s still a little sore,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “He tried to practice today and didn’t feel very well. So one more day. It’s a day-to-dayer. So maybe he’ll ... Read the full article

Sabres to use new lines against Senators; Brayden McNabb back in lineup

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan wanted to give his lines a long look. The interim Sabres coach figured he couldn’t ask his players for consistency if he kept shuffling the trios.

But after a string of losses and more meager offensive production, Nolan switched up his combinations Monday.

“Our top line is having a little bit of trouble, maybe the chemistry wasn’t quite right,” Nolan said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “We talked to ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan changes Sabres’ lines; Brayden McNabb to return Tuesday

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan wanted to give his lines a long look. The interim Sabres coach figured he couldn’t ask his players for consistency if he kept shuffling the trios.

But after a string of losses and more meager offensive production, Nolan switched the lines up today.

“Our top line is having a little bit of trouble, maybe the chemistry wasn’t quite right,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno embracing lesser role, feels game improving

BUFFALO – Marcus Foligno said Ted Nolan could’ve easily demoted him to the fourth line without an explanation. But a straightforward, face-to-face chat accompanied the struggling young winger’s move.

“Marcus is a big, powerful forward,” the Sabres’ interim coach said Tuesday following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “I told him he was just big, he wasn’t powerful. He wasn’t hitting anybody. He wasn’t using his size to his advantage.”

So in slashing his minutes, ... Read the full article

Marcus Foligno wanted to showcase sportsmanship in fight

BUFFALO – Marcus Foligno wanted to make sure Ryan Carter was OK. So the Sabres winger stopped punching after landing a big knockout blow to his opponent’s face Saturday in New Jersey.

“I’d say it’s just a little caution,” Foligno, who stayed with Carter for a few moments following the fight, said Monday inside the First Niagara Center. “You hit a guy that hard, I felt it, too. You just caught him in the right ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno on fight with Ryan Carter: ‘I felt it, too’

BUFFALO – Marcus Foligno wanted to make sure Ryan Carter was OK. So the Sabres winger stopped punching after landing a big knockout blow to his opponent’s face Saturday in New Jersey.

“I’d say it’s just a little caution,” Foligno, who stayed with Carter for a few moments following the fight, said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “You hit a guy that hard, I felt it, too. You just caught him in the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ forward scratch will be game-time decision

BUFFALO – So, which Sabres forward will sit tonight against the Montreal Canadiens?

“It’ll be a game-time decision,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Center Mikhail Grigorenko, the last forward off the ice this morning, said he’s playing. Tough guy John Scott, a healthy scratch last game, was off the ice early. The Canadiens haven’t been dressing their enforcer, George Parros. Nolan spoke to struggling fourth-line winger Marcus ... Read the full article

Sabres shuffle lineup before loss to Red Wings

BUFFALO – The Sabres switched their lineup for Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, sitting three players interim coach Ted Nolan dressed last game.

Defenseman Mark Pysyk, a surprise scratch for Thursday’s 4-1 loss in Philadelphia, returned. Nolan sat the rookie, one of the Sabres’ few bright spots this season, so he could evaluate other players.

“We only have a limited amount of time to see everybody, and I mentioned to him ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mark Pysyk back in against Red Wings

BUFFALO – The Sabres are changing up their lineup for this afternoon’s tilt against the Detroit Red Wings, sitting three players interim coach Ted Nolan dressed last game.

Defenseman Mark Pysyk, a surprise scratch for Thursday’s 4-1 loss in Philadelphia, will return. Nolan sat the rookie, one of the Sabres’ few bright spots this season, so he could evaluate other players.

“We only have a limited amount of time to see everybody, and I mentioned ... Read the full article

Sabres want Alexander Sulzer to provide veteran stability

BUFFALO – As a 29-year-old veteran of 107 NHL games, defenseman Alexander Sulzer gives the struggling Sabres some much-needed stability, interim coach Ted Nolan said.

“We’re running around the defensive zone a little bit too much,” Nolan said Saturday after the Sabres prepared for this afternoon’s game against the Detroit Red Wings inside the First Niagara Center.

That’s why Nolan and Pat LaFontaine, the president of hockey operations, watched Sulzer play Friday in Rochester. The ... Read the full article