Gionta - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis enjoying special season

BUFFALO – Sometimes you focus so much on the future, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said, the present can easily be forgotten about.

When the rebuilding Sabres surround Tyler Ennis with better talent in the coming years, the slick winger could become one of the NHL’s elite talents.

But right now, the 25-year-old, who will likely miss tonight’s game with an upper-body injury, is a special player. The former first-round pick is often the Sabres’ only ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan unhappy with Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov

BUFFALO – In Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes, Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov was benched, skating only nine minutes, 46 seconds.

“Maybe 10 minutes too much,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Yikes!

Expect the 19-year-old rookie to be scratched Saturday in Colorado. Nolan has clearly grown tired of the Russian’s poor work habits.

“When you’re going for certain things, the expectations and what you have to ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Brian Gionta on loss to Coyotes: ‘Our fans were cheering for us’

BUFFALO – Unlike his teammate Mike Weber, who ripped the hometown fans, Sabres captain Brian Gionta wouldn’t go there.

Gionta played almost 25 minutes in the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss Thursday, a game in which the hometown fans rooted for the Arizona Coyotes. Surely, the veteran heard the loud cheering inside the First Niagara Center.

“No, our fans were cheering for us,” Gionta insisted this afternoon. “We have great fans. We have a great ... Read the full article

Sabres fans revel in loss, cheer for Coyotes

BUFFALO – Mike Weber spoke passionately, like a man who felt jilted. The gritty defenseman had just experienced perhaps the oddest game of his career, the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

The payoff, the prize for all the “suffering” for two seasons had been laid in front of Sabres fans Thursday, creating a bizarre scene inside the First Niagara Center that will likely never be repeated.

A loss to the 29^th... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko grateful for Ted Nolan’s honesty

BUFFALO – Sabres center Mikhail Grigorenko appreciates coach Ted Nolan’s honesty and tough love. The 20-year-old Russian sees it as a sign of support.

“I know everyone wants me to succeed in this organization,” Grigorenko said Thursday prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes inside the First Niagara Center. “Everyone has their ways. Teddy, he thinks being hard on me is only going to help me.”

Nolan ripped Grigorenko following his ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan believes Buffalo wants Sabres to win

BUFFALO – Deep down, Sabres coach Ted Nolan probably knows the scene inside the First Niagara Center could get ugly for tonight’s anticipated matchup with the Arizona Coyotes, a contest between the NHL’s two worst teams.

With a prized, potentially franchise-changing prospect – either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel – essentially guaranteed with a loss, fans could do the unthinkable – root against the 30^th-place Sabres, who trail Arizona by five points with ... Read the full article

Sabres think 3-on-3 overtime format would work

BUFFALO – To Sabres center Matt Ellis, the AHL’s experiment with three-on-three overtime this season has created “a really exciting brand” of hockey.

The extra space allows players to freewheel all over the ice and have fun. Systems become an afterthought.

“The speed and the skill really shines through, the amount of open ice,” Ellis, who played 38 games in Rochester this season, said Monday prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 shootout loss to the ... Read the full article

Sabres plan to recall Chad Ruhwedel from Amerks

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 11^th 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

Sabres’ Matt Moulson won’t make excuses for low offensive output

BUFFALO – There’s a common theory why Sabres winger Matt Moulson has struggled offensively for the last two seasons. The three-time 30-goal scorer needs an elite center feeding him the puck regularly to be productive. Without one, the 31-year-old’s pretty average.

To wit: Moulson averaged 32 goals and 57 points on the left wing beside New York Islanders superstar John Tavares over three full seasons. Moulson scored 15 goals and 44 points in 47 games ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta could return this season

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from a quiet Sabres practice today at the First Niagara Center:

– Of all the injured players out long-term, winger Patrick Kaleta (lower body) has the best chance of returning this season, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. Kaleta recently had surgery and hasn’t played since Feb. 10.

“I think if there’s one of them, that’s the guy you’d bet on,” Nolan said. “He’s come through some tough injuries. He’s battled ... Read the full article