Zach Bogosian grew up in Massena. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Zach Bogosian happy to join Sabres: ‘I heard Buffalo, it was a good feeling’

BUFFALO – The mood on the ice inside HarborCenter belied the Sabres’ sorry state. Players laughed and had fun throughout Saturday’s up-tempo practice, the end of another trying week for the rebuilding club.

For some, the session, the first with new Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, was therapeutic.

“We got a good group of guys,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. “They give us what they have every day. They’re trying to keep their spirits up as ... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian has played 393 NHL games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Chris Stewart ill; Zach Bogosian finally practices with Sabres

BUFFALO – OK, relax, Sabres fans. Chris Stewart hasn’t been traded yet. The winger, who will almost certainly be dealt prior to the March 2 trade deadline, missed today’s practice inside HarborCenter because he’s sick, coach Ted Nolan said.

Stewart’s status is unclear for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, defenseman Josh Gorges, who’s dealing with an undisclosed injury that won’t go away, missed the session and will be evaluated by doctors to “see if it’s ... Read the full article

Evander Kane battles the Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons with Winnipeg. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan vows Sabres will fight to finish after blockbuster trade

BUFFALO – What will happen now? The Sabres were the NHL’s worst team before they traded Tyler Myers, Jhonas Enroth and Drew Stafford. The final 27 games could be brutal without their best defenseman, starting goalie and No. 3 scorer.

Myers skated a team-high 25 minutes a game, zooming all over the ice. Despite the Sabres’ porous defense, Enroth tended some strong goal all season. Stafford had nine of the club’s 97 goals and 24 ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers (57) missed today’s practice. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Tyler Myers ready to play

BUFFALO – Relax, Sabres fans. Defenseman Tyler Myers, whose name is making the rounds in trade rumors with the March 2 deadline approaching, missed today’s practice inside HarborCenter for a maintenance day, coach Ted Nolan said. Ditto for Josh Gorges, Myers’ partner.

“They’ve been playing a lot of hockey lately,” Nolan said.

Both will play Saturday, Nolan said.

The Sabres could change goalies against Dallas. Michal Neuvirth, out last week after injuring his ankle during ... Read the full article

Josh Gorges looks dejected as Minnesota celebrates another goal Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres hit rock bottom in ugly loss to Wild

BUFFALO – At this point, with the Sabres’ franchise-long losing streak at nine games and counting, it’s fair to wonder if the hapless team will win another game this season.

Seriously.

The Sabres are awful, a disaster by any standard.

In a season full of ugly, ugly defeats, the Sabres hit rock bottom in Thursday’s disastrous 7-0 loss to the reeling Minnesota Wild before 18,963 fans inside the First Niagara Center.

“I’m speechless,” Sabres coach ... Read the full article

Josh Gorges had a long talk with coach Ted Nolan on Sunday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Josh Gorges searching for solutions to help struggling Sabres

BUFFALO – They talked for almost 30 minutes on the ice. At times, the conversation between Sabres coach Ted Nolan and defenseman Josh Gorges, a passionate veteran, looked a bit animated.

These are tough days for the Sabres, losers of seven straight games and 11 of the last 12. Just weeks after winning 10 of 13 contests and igniting optimism, they have fallen back to the bottom of the league.

They rank 30th... Read the full article

Jhonas Enroth has allowed 30 goals in his last eight starts. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres need to clean up defensively, help goalie Jhonas Enroth

BUFFALO – Jhonas Enroth, the quiet, mild-mannered Sabres goalie, finally lost his cool Wednesday.

Following Tampa Bay’s final goal late in Sabres’ 5-1 loss, the diminutive Swede angrily whacked the left post with his stick like he was chopping down a tree. When the final horn ended the Sabres’ sixth loss in seven games, Enroth heaved his stick and skated off.

Minutes later, he was visibly upset in the dressing room.

In the ... Read the full article

The Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta (36) is thwarted by Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman (77) and Brendan Morrow (10) on Wednesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres implode late again, lose to Lightning

BUFFALO – The stage was set. The Sabres, four days removed from a scintillating third-period rally, fell behind three goals again.

Could the Sabres roar back again Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning? Uh, not quite.

The Sabres couldn’t even get the puck on net late in their 5-1 loss inside First Niagara Center.

The Lightning scored three times on 14 shots during the third period. The Sabres, meanwhile, had one shot the entire period.... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta left Monday’s game but will play tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta on punching himself in head: ‘I don’t really think I did’

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta said he had no clue he punched himself in the head Monday during his ferocious fight with Ottawa’s Jared Cowen until someone informed him.

Kaleta’s cool with his unusual move, though.

“Hey, if that’s what it takes to win a fight, then that’s what happens,” he said Tuesday after the Sabres practiced in HarborCenter.

Naturally, friends have been sending Kaleta the video. What happened? How does a veteran who ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta fought for the first time this season Monday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta explains how he punched himself in head

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta said he had no clue he punched himself in the head Monday during his ferocious fight with Ottawa’s Jared Cowen until someone informed him.

Kaleta’s cool with his unusual move, though.

“Hey, if that’s what it takes to win a fight, then that’s what happens,” he said today after the Sabres practiced in HarborCenter.

Naturally, friends have been sending Kaleta the video. What happened? How does a veteran who ... Read the full article