Grigorenko - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Grigorenko set to return; Leino skates, wants Sabres to have ‘higher demands’

BUFFALO – Sitting out hockey games, watching them in a suit from the press box high above the ice was a new and difficult experience for 18-year-old Sabres rookie Mikhail Grigorenko, a healthy scratch the past three games and four of the last six.

The Russian center will finally play again tonight when the Sabres host the New York Islanders, his first appearance under new interim coach Ron Rolston.

“I think every hockey player ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rolston thrilled to be NHL coach

TORONTO – Ron Rolston walked to a podium Thursday afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre, surveyed the landscape before him – about 30 reporters and a dozen cameras – and immediately cracked his first joke as the Buffalo Sabres’ interim coach.

“It looks like the same media coverage as Rochester,” joked Rolston, who replaced Lindy Ruff on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Rolston was preparing his Rochester Americans for an AHL tilt against the Texas Stars. ... Read the full article

Rolston ready to lead Sabres

TORONTO – Ron Rolston walked to a podium this afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre, surveyed the landscape before him – about 30 reporters and a dozen cameras – and immediately cracked his first joke as the Buffalo Sabres’ interim coach.

“It looks like the same media coverage as Rochester,” joked Rolston, who replaced Lindy Ruff on Wednesday.

A day ago, Rolston was preparing his Rochester Americans for an AHL tilt against the Texas ... Read the full article

Ehrhoff and Ennis missing from practice; McCormick on waivers

BUFFALO – Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and center Tyler Ennis are missing from Sabres practice this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. Stay tuned for an update later. Ehrhoff blocked a shot with his chest Sunday.

In addition, forward Cody McCormick, who’s practicing, is on waivers today, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

Fresh off Tuesday’s wretched 2-1 loss to Winnipeg, today could an interesting day.

Here are today’s lines from left to right:

Thomas Vanek, Cody ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie T.J. Brennan replaces struggling Jordan Leopold

BUFFALO – The gaffe gnawed away at Jordan Leopold. His blown coverage on Pascal Dupuis’ late tying goal a day earlier left the struggling Sabres defenseman “upset … the whole day” Monday, he said.

The 32-year-old, a veteran of 602 NHL games, probably felt even worse Tuesday morning.

For Lindy Ruff, leaving Dupuis wide open in the right circle, something Leopold called an “easy read,” was the last straw. The Sabres coach scratched Leopold for ... Read the full article

Struggling Leopold to sit as Sabres turn to rookie Brennan

BUFFALO – Jordan Leopold walked into the dressing room following a long skate this morning, began taking off his equipment and noticed a few reporters waiting to chat with him.

The struggling defenseman was the last player off the ice for a reason.

“You guys smell blood or what?” joked Leopold, who will sit as a healthy scratch tonight against the Winnipeg Jets inside the First Niagara Center.

Leopold, a team-worst minus-7, has never been ... Read the full article

Sabres’ McCormick scraps in return to lineup

BUFFALO – The Sabres made two lineup changes Sunday prior to their 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, sitting rookie center Mikhail Grigorenko for Cody McCormick and inserting Mike Weber for defenseman Andrej Sekera (charley horse).

McCormick and Tanner Glass fought ferociously during the third period, possibly a response to McCormick’s earlier hit on Brandon Sutter inside the First Niagara Center.

“I think he didn’t have the puck,” Bylsma said about Sutter.

McCormick could’ve walloped ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jason Pominville understands long recovery Erik Karlsson faces

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jason Pominville has watched the scary video of Ottawa superstar Erik Karlsson getting his Achilles lacerated by Matt Cooke’s skate Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

Karlsson, the reigning Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s top defenseman, will miss the rest of the season. His rehab will be long and grueling.

Pominville knows well. On April 22, 2011 in Philadelphia, James van Riemsdyk’s skate completely sliced a tendon in the winger’s lower leg.

It’s ... Read the full article

Claude Julien understands Sabres’ plan for Mikhail Grigorenko

BUFFALO – The benefits of sitting an 18-year-old rookie are many, Claude Julien said this morning. The Boston Bruins coach sat slick winger Tyler Seguin, his teenage phenom, occasionally two years ago.

The Sabres plan to sit Mikhail Grigorenko, their 18-year-old freshman, at times this season, a tactic coach Lindy Ruff believes will benefit his top prospect’s development. Ruff scratched the Russian on Sunday against Boston.

Seguin played 74 games in 2010-11 before watching ... Read the full article

Ruff ready to ‘clean up’ struggling Sabres: ‘It’s on me’

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff’s mood belied his team’s plight. The Sabres coach was smiling and brimming with energy during a frank nine-minute chat with the media Thursday following a 70-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center.

“It is on me,” Ruff said about the challenge of fixing the Sabres’ poor 5-8-1 record, which has them mired in 15^th place in the Eastern Conference. “I understand that. I understand this is on me to clean ... Read the full article