Jeanneret - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Your Sabres pregame update

BUFFALO – All seems forgiven. The hockey-deprived Sabres fans look amped for this afternoon’s season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers. Thanks to the NHL 113-day lockout, it’s been 288 days since the Sabres last played a game.

Right now, however, it feels like the NHL never left. The First Niagara Center will be packed and jumping today. Fans spent the week gobbling up discounted merchandise and wondering if 18-year-old Mikhail Grigorenko could crack the lineup ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Leino questionable for opener; Grigorenko set for debut

BUFFALO – The Sabres have their first injury of the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.

“A nagging little” problem that flared up kept Ville Leino from practicing Saturday, coach Lindy Ruff said.

The winger’s questionable for this afternoon’s season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers inside the First Niagara Center.

Leino, who left practice early Friday, plans to skate this morning before making a decision. It’s believed he’s nursing a leg injury.

“If he feels like he’s good, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rick Jeanneret still going strong as Hall honor arrives

BUFFALO – The scene plays out just about each time Rick Jeanneret walks around in public. Inevitably, fans stop the Sabres’ legendary announcer and tell him how much they enjoy the team’s broadcast.

Then they make a short plea to the play-by-play veteran, whose enthusiasm and passionate calls have made him a local icon.

“The other thing they say is, ‘Please don’t retire,’” Jeanneret, who will be honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame on ... Read the full article

Jeanneret to call every Sabres game next season

BUFFALO – Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret will call all 82 games next season, the club announced Wednesday.

The local legend, who signed a new multi-year contract earlier this month, had been working a reduced number of games for several years. He called 57 last year.

Jeanneret, the longest-tenured NHL broadcaster at 41 years, will be honored with the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award this fall.... Read the full article

Sabres shakeup broadcast crew, give Jeanneret new multi-year deal

BUFFALO – Former Sabres enforcer Rob Ray will become the team’s full-time color commentator next season beside play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret on radio and television, replacing Harry Neale, who’s moving to another analyst role after five years.

The club also announced Monday that Jeanneret, who will be honored with the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Award later this year, has signed a new multi-year contract and will call more games in 2012-13. No number ... Read the full article

Jeanneret to be honored by Hockey Hall of Fame

BUFFALO – Legendary Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret will be entering the Hockey Hall of Fame as the 2012 recipient of the Foster Hewitt Award.

Jeanneret, the NHL’s longest-tenured announcer at 41 years, will be honored in November. Former Sabres play-by-play voice Ted Darling also received the award in 1994, given for “outstanding contributions to their profession and the game during their career in hockey.”

The colorful and popular Jeanneret, whose catchphrases are part of ... Read the full article

Much went wrong during Sabres’ lost season

“The main thing is start talking about it and just put it out there that we want to win a championship. We want to do it the right way, and we just have to hit a few checkpoints along the way and set ourselves up for it.” – Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, September 16, 2011

BUFFALO – Nearly seven months after his upbeat chat as training camp opened, Miller and the Sabres will clean out ... Read the full article