WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Drew Stafford has only two goals this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The past is history, Ted Nolan has said. The interim Sabres coach doesn’t care about it. Heck, he hasn’t even reviewed video of his new team’s sorry start.
Sabres winger Drew Stafford has two goals in 24 games this season, zero in the last seven contests.
But Nolan has been giving Stafford, a fourth-liner at times earlier this season, big minutes and opportunities. The 28-year-old is averaging 20:03 in four games under Nolan. ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko hasn’t played for interim coach Ted Nolan yet. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko figured he’d be starting a two-week AHL conditioning assignment Wednesday. The 19-year-old Sabres prospect had already dropped his equipment off at the rink and checked into a Rochester hotel when a team front office member contacted him at 10 p.m. Tuesday.
The NHL had rejected the assignment.
Grigorenko drove back to Buffalo and practiced with the Sabres hours later.
What happened?
“You read the rules and see how they work,” interim ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko practiced with the Sabres today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko figured he’d be starting a two-week AHL conditioning assignment today. The 19-year-old Sabres prospect had already dropped his equipment off at the rink and checked into a Rochester hotel when a team front office member contacted him at 10 p.m. Tuesday.
The NHL had rejected the assignment.
Grigorenko drove back to Buffalo and practiced with the Sabres today.
What happened?
“You read the rules and see how they work,” interim Sabres ... Read the full article
Brayden McNabb has enjoyed a strong season in Rochester. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The NHL has rejected Mikhail Grigorenko’s AHL conditioning assignment, so the 19-year-old center’s back practicing with the Sabres this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
The Sabres sent the Russian, a healthy scratch recently, to Rochester on Tuesday. Stay tuned for more details. The Sabres said they respect the decision.
Meanwhile, winger Luke Adam and defenseman Brayden McNabb have been recalled from the Americans and are on the ice.
Tyler Ennis isn’t practicing. ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen played 19 games with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Development time used to be mandatory. Before Mikhail Grigorenko cracked the lineup last season, the Sabres hadn’t played an 18-year-old regularly since Pierre Turgeon in 1987-88. Most of their top prospects spent at least one full season in the minors.
But former general manager Darcy Regier, who was fired with coach Ron Rolston last week, dramatically switched philosophies earlier this year as the Sabres started rebuilding.
The struggling Sabres recently became the first ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko had two goals in 15 games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In veteran defenseman Henrik Tallinder’s mind, the Sabres’ old regime handed out too many roster spots to undeserving youngsters. Interim coach Ted Nolan and his boss, Pat LaFontaine, know that. They’re working to correct those past mistakes.
“It’s not about getting the spot; it’s about earning the spot,” Tallinder said this morning inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres reassigned four rookies, three of them teenagers. “It used to be like that ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko has dominated in junior. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a not-so-surprising move, the Sabres sent 19-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko back to the Quebec Remparts late Monday, according to RDS, a Canadian sports network.
Grigorenko has been scratched both games under interim coach Ted Nolan, who has strongly hinted he doesn’t think the Sabres should have four teenagers on the roster.
UPDATE: Grigorenko was just seen leaving the building this morning. Rookie defenseman Nikita Zadorov isn’t on the ice and has ... Read the full article
Ville Leino has switched back to center. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – His position doesn’t matter, Buffalo Sabres center Ville Leino said. The Finn can play in the middle or on both wings. Leino cares about his ice time and responsibility.
The 30-year-old enjoyed little of either under former coach Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday with general manager Darcy Regier.
Leino has struggled as a third- or fourth-line winger most of this season. Rolston even scratched him recently.
But in Friday’s 3-1 ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – In late September, when Buffalo Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov signed his entry-level contract, former general manager Darcy Regier said junior hockey was the 18-year-old defenseman’s likely destination this season.
Two days later, Zadorov cut his finger during the Sabres’ preseason finale, shelving him for weeks. After he healed, the rebuilding team began playing him.
Now, the Sabres must decide whether to keep him or send him back to the Ontario Hockey League’s London ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan was a happy coach Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It was going to be a special weekend trip to New York. Ted Nolan and his wife, Sandra, would celebrate her birthday and watch their son, Jordan, play for the Los Angeles Kings.
Nolan also wanted to see “The Book of Mormon” musical on Broadway. So he recently called Pat LaFontaine, a close friend with a ticket connection.
“I said, ‘Teddy, you better get ready for the show. It’s a pretty interesting show,’” ... Read the full article