Kaleta - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta having vision trouble following injury

BUFFALO – After a puck “broke a bunch of things” in Patrick Kaleta’s face Sept. 28, doctors cut through the bottom part of his eyelid to repair him, the Sabres winger said.

“They have to cut through all those muscles, so it’s almost like my muscles get tired out a bit,” Kaleta said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center.

So the oft-injured agitator has been experiencing vision problems on the ice. He still hasn’t been ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ted Nolan on shootouts: ‘You should have one winner’

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan refers to the shootout as a “skills competition.” So, the Sabres coach doesn’t like it then?

“Ehhh, I’m not a big fan of it,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “But it’s entertaining for the fans. The game, I like to declare a winner. It’s kind of like horseshoes or grenades, everything’s close, everybody’s fair. But I think in a game you should have one winner.”

The Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Brian Flynn finally playing again: ‘I had to try to be patient’

BUFFALO – In his first two seasons, the Sabres only scratched Brian Flynn three times. But the 26-year-old forward became a spare part in October, sitting out nine games, including five straight to close the month.

Now, Flynn’s making it difficult for Sabres coach Ted Nolan to take him out of the lineup. He opened the scoring in Sunday’s 3-2 shootout win against Detroit, his first goal in 25 games.

Nolan likes Flynn’s calm demeanor ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges downplay first game against Canadiens

BUFFALO – The Sabres won’t face the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night trying to win for former Habs Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges, who will face their old team for the first time.

“As a team right now, we can’t be thinking about winning it for anybody but ourselves,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Neither player wants the game treated any differently.

“You’re playing your former team for ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: GM Tim Murray undecided on Nikita Zadorov’s future

PITTSBURGH – With Sam Reinhart sent back to junior Friday, Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray can concentrate on another teenage prospect, defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

“I don’t want to start juggling five balls,” Murray said inside the First Niagara Center.

The Sabres have essentially been stashing Zadorov on their roster until they find a place for him to play. The 19-year-old has played only one of the first 11 games.

Since Zadorov doesn’t have ... Read the full article

Sabres to retire Dominik Hasek’s No. 39 on Jan. 13 prior to Red Wings game

BUFFALO – The Sabres will retire legend Dominik Hasek’s No. 39 prior to the Jan. 13, 2015 game against the Detroit Red Wings, the team announced Monday.

Hasek, one of the greatest goalies in NHL history, will become the franchise’s seventh retired number.

The opponent holds some significance. Hasek played four seasons in Detroit, winning two Stanley Cups. The Sabres traded Hasek to Detroit in 2001.

The Czech will be inducted into the Hockey Hall ... Read the full article

Top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart will play again soon

BUFFALO – Top prospect Sam Reinhart, a healthy scratch last game, will play on the Sabres’ upcoming three-game California trip, coach Ted Nolan said this morning.

Nolan wouldn’t say if the center will dress Wednesday in Anaheim.

He believes sitting the 18-year-old for Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Boston helped him.

“Today is another good day,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “I thought maybe having that day off he had a little bit ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Patrick Kaleta back practicing, anxious to return

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta’s face was mangled.

“Broke a bunch of things in there,” the oft-injured Sabres winger said Thursday following practice inside the First Niagara Center.

Kaleta said doctors inserted three plates and 14 screws after a shot hit him in the face during a Sept. 28 preseason game in Toronto. The 28-year-old has experienced blurred vision and migraines.

Still, less than three weeks after the scary incident, the Angola native is on the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta back practicing after scary injury

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta’s face was mangled.

“Broke a bunch of things in there,” the oft-injured Sabres winger said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center.

Kaleta said doctors inserted three plates and 14 screws after a shot hit him in the face during a Sept. 28 preseason game in Toronto. The 28-year-old has experienced blurred vision and migraines.

Still, less than three weeks after the scary incident, the Angola native is on ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan on captain Brian Gionta and Sabres’ leadership group: ‘A new direction’

BUFFALO – For the first time in years, the Sabres have stability in their leadership group.

Captains Brian Gionta and alternates Josh Gorges and Matt Moulson have a combined 12 years left on their contracts. Each veteran chose to join the rebuilding Sabres this offseason.

Ted Nolan, who’s beginning his first full season as Sabres coach since 1996-97, believes the trio will fill the leadership void he noticed late last season.

“Coming in, going in ... Read the full article