WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
2026-27 Season Edition
Patrick Rissmiller spent two full seasons in the NHL. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Rochester Americans signed forward Patrick Rissmiller, a veteran of 192 NHL games, to a professional tryout contract today.
The 34-year-old has 18 goals, 46 points and 60 penalty minutes in NHL stints with San Jose, the New York Rangers, Atlanta and Florida. He spent two full seasons with the Sharks from 2006-08.
With T.J. Brennan, Cody Hodgson and Marcus Foligno all playing with the Sabres and first-round pick Zemgus Girgensons (concussion) ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko celebrates his first NHL goal Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Fifteen minutes after allowing the overtime winner in the Sabres’ shocking 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ryan Miller sat stewing in his stall inside the dressing room, staring straight ahead. The goalie still had his pads on. He barely moved.
Down the hallway, winning Leafs goalie James Reimer was riding an exercise bike sporting a wide grin.
His 29 saves had just bested the former Vezina Trophy winner Tuesday before 18,801 ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford’s still looking for his first goal this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – In about 27 hours, the Buffalo Sabres morphed from a tight five-man unit into a disjointed, ugly mess, performing brutally during consecutive losses to the once-hapless Carolina Hurricanes.
So much for all that optimism the Sabres’ hot 2-0 start had generated just several days ago.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff broke up his lines Saturday and ripped into his team on the Northtown Center ice, at one point barking, “Every freakin’ puck is ... Read the full article
Cody Hodgson already has two goals in two games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The inexperience is their greatest asset and most glaring weakness. It excites and worries Sabres coach Lindy Ruff in the same breath.
His top two centers, Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson, are true neophytes, veterans of just a combined 235 NHL games.
Ennis only began playing center regularly late last year, his second full season. The 23-year-old was dynamic, though, compiling eight goals and 19 points over a 12-game stretch.
Hodgson, meanwhile, ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller dazzled Monday while making 34 saves. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Remember this one. The Buffalo Sabres’ gritty 2-1 triumph over the Maple Leafs on Monday could be their blueprint for success in this lockout-shortened season.
Against a team fresh off a big opening-night win and playing its first home tilt, the Sabres showcased unyielding muscle, capitalized on their few chances early and received splendid goaltending from Ryan Miller before a capacity crowd of 19,475 fans inside the Air Canada Centre.
“We came in ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno poses for a photo with a fan this morning inside the First Niagara Center. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – All seems forgiven. The hockey-deprived Sabres fans look amped for this afternoon’s season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers. Thanks to the NHL 113-day lockout, it’s been 288 days since the Sabres last played a game.
Right now, however, it feels like the NHL never left. The First Niagara Center will be packed and jumping today. Fans spent the week gobbling up discounted merchandise and wondering if 18-year-old Mikhail Grigorenko could crack the lineup ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff spent much of the NHL lockout monitoring prospects. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff had already endured 113 days of the NHL lockout, so waiting another 60 minutes to find out the work stoppage was over wouldn’t have bothered the Sabres coach.
“My phone had gone off while I was sleeping,” Ruff said Wednesday about how he heard the lockout had ended. “It was one of these, somebody had texted me at 6 a.m., ‘Congrats, it’s over.’ And (you think), ‘Wait an hour to ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff will begin coaching a shortened training camp in the coming days. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In his first meeting with local reporters since July, Lindy Ruff couldn’t wipe the smile off his face during a 20-minute chat this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. Clearly, the Sabres coach can’t wait for the season to start.
Ruff thanked the fans for their support before fielding questions about the upcoming season and how he spent his time during the NHL lockout.
Here are some quick highlights:
On if the season ... Read the full article
Darcy Regier finally got to talk about training camp Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Make no mistake, the Sabres supported the NHL’s 113-day lockout.
“I don’t want anyone to think we didn’t vote in favor of it,” Sabres president Ted Black said Tuesday during a 30-minute news conference inside the First Niagara Center to talk about the upcoming season.
But how does the new collective bargaining agreement benefit the Sabres? Terry Pegula, their billionaire owner, spends freely on the team. Money isn’t an issue. The Sabres operate ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno scored the overtime winner in Wednesday’s wild 7-6 win. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – So, about those two wild 7-6 games between the Rochester Americans and the Lake Erie Monsters recently.
The Sabres’ AHL affiliate rallied from three three-goal deficits Dec. 13 in Cleveland. Then, incredibly, the Amerks rallied again late Wednesday in Rochester, forcing overtime before Marcus Foligno won it.
Don’t expect another goal bonanza tonight inside the First Niagara Center.
“They’re going to be pretty (ticked) off they blew a couple leads there,” said ... Read the full article