Kaleta - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Marcus Foligno, Kevin Porter and Brian Flynn forming strong line for Sabres

BUFFALO – It appeared their time together could be brief. When interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston put Marcus Foligno, Kevin Porter and Brian Flynn together on a line March 5, he united two recent recalls with Foligno, a struggling rookie fresh off his first NHL benching.

All three had never played together during nearly four months with the Rochester Americans.

But Rolston, the Amerks’ coach until his Feb. 20 promotion, knew their talents. With the ... Read the full article

Former Sabres goalie Martin Biron thriving as Rangers’ backup

BUFFALO – When the 113-day NHL lockout ended and Martin Biron left his East Aurora home for his backup goaltending gig in New York, the 35-year-old’s wife and four children stayed behind.

With a shortened season, a new house and the school year in full swing, the loquacious former Sabre didn’t want to uproot his family.

For now, Biron’s living alone in New York, an arrangement that has worked out “OK.”

“There’s times I’m sitting ... Read the full article

Rangers’ Brad Richards on Patrick Kaleta hit: ‘It’s over and done with’

BUFFALO – Don’t expect huge fireworks tonight in the wake of Patrick Kaleta’s scary hit from behind on Rangers star Brad Richards last Sunday in New York.

Kaleta’s still on the sidelines, only four contests into his five-game ban. The Rangers may want to punish the Sabres’ agitator when they visit the First Niagara Center again April 19.

Besides, the eighth-place Rangers, a big disappointment this season, need to concentrate on winning a game.

Richards, ... Read the full article

Hecht’s benching related to Sabres’ personnel, not play

BUFFALO – Hours before scratching Jochen Hecht on Thursday, Ron Rolston praised the veteran’s play. Following practice a day later, the Sabres’ interim coach complimented the 35-year-old forward again.

So why did Rolston make Hecht, the Sabres’ longest-tenured player, a healthy scratch for the first time in his 10 seasons here?

“We had a lot of scenarios going on with players,” Rolston explained Friday after the Sabres practiced inside Cazenovia Ice Rink. “We have ... Read the full article

Hecht benched so Sabres could add toughness

BUFFALO – Hours before scratching Jochen Hecht on Thursday, Ron Rolston praised the veteran’s play. Following practice this afternoon, the Sabres’ interim coach complimented the 35-year-old forward again.

So why did Rolston make Hecht, the Sabres’ longest-tenured player, a healthy scratch for the first time in his 10 seasons here?

“We had a lot of scenarios going on with players,” Rolston explained after the Sabres practiced inside Cazenovia Ice Rink. “We have a lot ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie T.J. Brennan gets another chance to shine

In seven NHL games this season, Buffalo Sabres defenseman T.J. Brennan has zero points and 14 shots on goal (how many have missed the net?) while averaging 14:11 on the ice each appearance.

After scoring 14 goals and 35 points in 36 games with Rochester this season, Brennan has underwhelmed mightily.

If the 23-year-old didn’t have to clear waivers, he likely would’ve been returned to the AHL. Instead, rather than risk losing him, the Sabres ... Read the full article

Despite ‘changed’ style, Sabres’ Kaleta banned 5 games for boarding Richards

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta insists he has changed his game over the years, calming his ultra-aggressive style down to become a more complete and responsible player.

Players have noticed, he said. Referees have even lauded the Sabres’ top agitator.

“The referees have came up and said, ‘Hey, we respect what you’ve done so far. As long as you keep showing respect toward us, then we’ll respect you,’” Kaleta told reporters Monday in Raleigh before the ... Read the full article

NHL bans Sabres’ Kaleta 5 games for Richards hit

BUFFALO – The NHL has suspended agitator Patrick Kaleta five games for knocking Rangers star Brad Richards into the boards from behind while killing a penalty in the Sabres’ 3-2 shootout loss Sunday in New York, NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan announced this afternoon.

Kaleta can return to the lineup March 17 in Washington. He will forfeit $76,219.25 in salary

He was assessed a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct at 3:28 of ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kaleta could get suspended for Richards hit

Agitator Patrick Kaleta could be facing a suspension after knocking Rangers star Brad Richards into the boards from behind while killing a penalty in the Buffalo Sabres’ 3-2 shootout loss Sunday in New York.

Kaleta was assessed a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct at 3:28 of the third period. Richards grimaced in pain on the ice for a minute or two before skating off.

The Rangers then scored two quick power-play goals to ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Flynn makes NHL debut as injured Vanek sits

BUFFALO – In Brian Flynn’s mind, he “had no business getting drafted.” Getting bypassed during two consecutive NHL Entry Drafts was no slight.

“I wasn’t very good,” the 24-year-old Flynn acknowledged Saturday afternoon prior to making his NHL debut in the Sabres’ 4-3 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils inside the First Niagara Center. “I was undersized. But I think that helped me a lot. Ever since then I’ve gotten better every year.”

Flynn ... Read the full article