Halak - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres trade goalie Jaroslav Halak to Capitals

BUFFALO – Jaro, we hardly knew ye.

As expected, the Sabres have flipped goalie Jaroslav Halak, trading him to the Washington Capitals today with a 2015 third-round draft pick for goalie Michal Neuvirth and defenseman Rostislav Klesla.

The Sabres acquired the 28-year-old Slovak in Friday’s Ryan Miller trade. Halak never played with the Sabres, only dressing for Monday’s 3-2 loss in Dallas.

Halak, an unrestricted free agent following the season, is 24-9-4 with ... Read the full article

Sabres have plenty of assets to offer before trade deadline

BUFFALO – Expect the rebuilding Sabres to be busy prior to today’s 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline. No one’s off limits this year. Remember, new general manager Tim Murray has no attachment to any players on the roster.

This could be the team’s busiest and biggest deadline ever. Today might help reshape the franchise for the next five or 10 years.

Here are some Sabres who could be dealt and their contract status:

Winger Matt ... Read the full article

Leaving Blues for lowly Sabres wasn’t easy for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart

BUFFALO – They’re only human, you know. Leaving the St. Louis Blues, a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, for the rebuilding Sabres wasn’t easy at first for goalie Jaroslav Halak and winger Chris Stewart.

But the veterans, part of Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller-Steve Ott deal, have accepted they’re now playing for the NHL’s worst team, at least temporarily.

Rumors are swirling the Sabres will flip them before Wednesday’s trade deadline. Halak, an unrestricted free agent ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan emotional over Pat LaFontaine’s departure from Sabres, doesn’t want to discuss future

BUFFALO – Pat LaFontaine’s resignation as the Sabres’ president of hockey operations has rocked interim coach Ted Nolan, his close friend.

“It’s tough,” an emotional Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I don’t even want to think about it right now, to tell you the truth. It’s that tough.”

Nolan hasn’t spoken to LaFontaine in the past couple of days and called his departure a “big surprise.”

“Everyone knows what kind ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth ready to seize starting job with Ryan Miller gone

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller is gone. Jaroslav Halak, the goalie the Sabres received in Friday’s blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Blues, will be an unrestricted free agent following the season. He could be dealt within days.

For now, Jhonas Enroth, Miller’s backup for three seasons, will shoulder the load down the stretch, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

The 25-year-old Swede finally has an opportunity to become a No. 1 goalie.

“If you ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect William Carrier possesses size and skill

BUFFALO – Goalie Jaroslav Halak and winger Chris Stewart, the established NHL players the Sabres received in Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller-Steve Ott trade with the St. Louis Blues, are relatively well known.

Halak has played 260 games and backstopped Montreal to the 2010 Eastern Conference final. Stewart has 115 goals, including a 28-score season in 2010-11.

But what about 6-foot-2, 196-pound forward William Carrier, the 19-year-old prospect the Sabres also received? The Blues selected ... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Ryan Miller, captain Steve Ott to Blues

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller had almost a year to prepare for a trade. Still, the moment hit him hard. When the Sabres dealt the franchise goalie and captain Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues on Friday night, emotion overwhelmed Miller.

“It just kind of hits you all at once,” Miller said as he broke down inside a packed First Niagara Center media room.

Then Miller, a former Vezina Trophy winner and the face of ... Read the full article