Grigorenko - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Cody McCormick out of hospital

BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick was released from the hospital Monday after being treated for a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said.

“Cross our fingers everything continues to go well,” Nolan said following an 80-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center. “No timeframe on his return whatsoever. Our No. 1 concern is making sure he’s OK.”

With McCormick sidelined, the Sabres recalled centers Zac Dalpe and Phil Varone from ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody McCormick out of hospital; Ted Nolan wants better habits from Nikita Zadorov

BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick was released from the hospital today after being treated for a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said.

“Cross our fingers everything continues to go well,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “No timeframe on his return whatsoever. Our No. 1 concern is making sure he’s OK.”

With McCormick sidelined, the Sabres recalled centers Zac Dalpe and Phil Varone from Rochester ... Read the full article

Sabres send Mikhail Grigorenko and Phil Varone to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres assigned centers Mikhail Grigorenko and Phil Varone back to Rochester this morning.

Grigorenko, the No. 12 pick in 2012, has one goal and two points 12 NHL games this season. The 20-year-old Russian scored in Monday’s 4-1 loss in New Jersey. He has seven goals and 22 points in 30 AHL games with the Americans.

Varone scored twice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss in Carolina and played three games during his second ... Read the full article

Sabres fall apart early against Panthers, get blanked by Roberto Luongo again

BUFFALO – It’s getting ugly again. In fact, it’s starting to feel like October. The Sabres are losing every game. They can’t score. Opponents keep outshooting them.

Following an exciting 10-3 run, the Sabres have lost three straight games and seven of the last eight.

A wretched start, an early-season staple, doomed the Sabres in Friday’s boring 2-0 loss to the Florida Panthers before a capacity crowd of 19,070 fans inside a quiet First Niagara ... Read the full article

Sabres mix up lines; Rasmus Ristolainen ready to return

BUFFALO – While the top line remained intact, Sabres coach Ted Nolan rearranged his other three trios today, an attempt to jumpstart the struggling team.

The new lines, left to right: Brian Flynn beside Mikhail Grigorenko and Chris Stewart; Cody Hodgson with Cody McCormick and Drew Stafford; Nick Deslauriers beside Johan Larsson and Patrick Kaleta.

Injuries and illness have ravaged the Sabres recently. They haven’t had a second line with Marcus Foligno and Brian Gionta ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson ignited career beside Islanders’ John Tavares

BUFFALO – Five years ago, Matt Moulson, then a struggling winger on a two-way contract with the New York Islanders, was paired up with slick center John Tavares, the No. 1 pick months earlier.

The two immediately showcased dynamic chemistry together, becoming arguably the NHL’s best duo.

Moulson, now one of the Sabres’ top scorers, compiled seasons of 30, 31, 36 and 15 goals (in 48 games) with Tavares feeding him the puck.

How ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Mikhail Grigorenko from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled center Mikhail Grigorenko from Rochester this afternoon.

With only 11 healthy forwards, the Sabres needed to summon someone to play tonight against the New York Islanders. Grigorenko, who was assigned to the AHL on Wednesday, appeared to be the likely candidate.

The 20-year-old Russian just averaged 15 minutes, 42 seconds of ice time in four games with the Sabres, compiling one assist. He has seven goals and 22 points in ... Read the full article

Sabres have more healthy players; Mikhail Grigorenko back up

BUFFALO – Slowly, the Sabres, a team riddled by injuries and illness, are getting back to full strength.

Three more players – center Cody McCormick, winger Matt Moulson and defenseman Mike Weber – will return tonight against the New York Islanders following a three-day Christmas break. Still, the Sabres have only 11 healthy forwards, so they will recall a forward soon, coach Ted Nolan said this morning.

Update: The Sabres have recalled center Mikhail Grigorenko.... Read the full article

Sabres face stiff test in surging Isles

BUFFALO – Since creeping to within four points of the final playoff spot Dec. 15, the Sabres have lost four straight games, earning just a single point for Sunday’s 4-3 overtime loss in Boston.

Are the Sabres swooning again? Opponents have scored a whopping 20 goals during their skid.

Or is this just a normal part of a young club’s growth? A team battered by injuries and illness had the lead in two straight road ... Read the full article

Sabres send 4 youngsters to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent forwards Joel Armia, Mikhail Grigorenko and Tim Schaller and defenseman Mark Pysyk back to the Rochester Americans today.

All four played in Tuesday’s 6-3 loss in Detroit. The Sabres are off until Saturday, when they host the New York Islanders.

By then, some of the eight Sabres who are injured or sick could be ready to play. Defenseman Mike Weber (knee) will likely return from a short absence, Sabres ... Read the full article