Zenon Konopka (24) was whistled for interfering with Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky on Saturday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka likely benched tonight; Henrik Tallinder nearing return

BUFFALO – Sabres center Zenon Konopka said he had spoken to interim coach Ted Nolan twice about his knack for picking up goaltender interference penalties.

“I made a conscious effort,” Konopka said Monday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s contest against the Florida Panthers inside the First Niagara Center.

Still, Konopka, who had two calls early last week, earned a third Saturday, which led to Brandon Dubinsky’s go-ahead power-play goal in Columbus’ 4-3 shootout win.... Read the full article

Zenon Konopka has been picking up too many penalties. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka understands why Ted Nolan will likely bench him

BUFFALO – Sabres center Zenon Konopka said he had spoken to interim coach Ted Nolan twice about his knack for picking up goaltender interference penalties.

“I made a conscious effort,” Konopka said today following practice inside the First Niagara Center.

Still, Konopka, who had two calls early last week, earned a third Saturday, which led to the go-ahead power-play goal in Columbus’ 4-3 shootout win.

Three strikes and you’re likely out of the lineup. ... Read the full article

Linus Omark has sat two games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka likely out against Panthers; Linus Omark set to return

BUFFALO – Interim coach Ted Nolan, whose Sabres have lost three straight, will likely use a different lineup Tuesday against Florida.

Center Zenon Konopka, who took three goaltender interference penalties in four games last week, will sit. Winger Linus Omark, who practiced today beside Cody Hodgson and Steve Ott, will likely return after two healthy scratches.

Nolan wouldn’t confirm Omark will play against the Panthers.

“We’ll give it another day to think about,” ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers (57) skates around Columbus’ Dalton Prout on Saturday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Tyler Myers dynamic in shootout loss to Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – The signs had been there for months. First, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers settled down defensively. Then the former Calder Trophy winner recently recaptured his aggressive style, pinching in and swiftly moving the puck all over the ice.

Fresh off perhaps his best game in two years, Myers topped that effort in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring the first goal 59 seconds into the tilt and the tying ... Read the full article

Steve Ott (9) will be an unrestricted free agent following the season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres captain Steve Ott wants to remain in Buffalo, believes rebuilding team not far away from contending

BUFFALO – The hospitality Steve Ott and his family have experienced from the community has been incredible, the captain said. Win or lose, the locals still love their Sabres.

Of course, the Sabres have done a lot of losing during Ott’s first year here.

The warm welcome and the struggles have left Ott imagining the Sabres’ resurgence. Right now, they’re rebuilding, still the NHL’s worst team.

But the 31-year-old, an unrestricted free agent following the ... Read the full article

Jhonas Enroth said his frustration level is at “10.” ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres blow late lead in front of goalie Jhonas Enroth, fall to Flyers

BUFFALO – The dressing room door swung open and sitting in the first stall, his pads and much of his equipment still attached to his sweat-drenched body, was Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth, the hard-luck loser again, staring straight ahead.

Finally, it appeared the Sabres might win a game for the backup, who earned his only victory this season Oct. 25.

The Sabres took an early 2-1 third-period lead against the Philadelphia Flyers on ... Read the full article

Zenon Konopka also has a line of wines. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka excited to be reunited with pet rabbit ‘Hoppy’

BUFFALO – Following practice today, Sabres center Zenon Konopka planned to go pick up his pet rabbit, “Hoppy,” at his mother’s house just across the Ontario border in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

“He’s been there with grandma for a bit,” Konopka said inside the First Niagara Center.

Hoppy doesn’t like flights, so a friend drove him from Minnesota to the area.

“It’s time for the big guy to finally make his return to Buffalo,” said Konopka, who was ... Read the full article

Tim Murray speaks to the media Thursday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Tim Murray ready to tackle Sabres’ ‘extremely attractive’ GM job

BUFFALO – Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray recently approached his nephew, Tim Murray, and told him the rebuilding Sabres, the NHL’s worst team, wanted permission to interview him for the vacant GM position.

Murray would be leaving what he called “comfortable situation” as the Senators’ assistant GM. The 50-year-old’s from the Ottawa area. His wife and children live there. Many speculated he would replace his uncle someday. At the very least, he acknowledged, he would’ve ... Read the full article

Jhonas Enroth will make his 14th appearance tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres grateful for snow day; Swedish Olympian Jhonas Enroth to start in goal

BUFFALO – Steve Ott noticed he didn’t have any food for a pregame meal Tuesday. The Sabres captain figured his “pasta place” was probably closed, too.

So even with a ferocious snowstorm battering the area, Ott “took a chance” and drove to a Wegmans supermarket for some spaghetti.

“It was a miserable chance, to be honest with you,” Ott said Wednesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Florida Panthers inside the First ... Read the full article

Zenon Konopka takes a draw against New Jersey’s Adam Henrique on Saturday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Zenon Konopka thrilled to be with Sabres following long travel day

BUFFALO – Zenon Konopka’s travel ordeal began Friday night shortly after his flight from Minnesota landed in New York. First, the center’s short flight here was delayed four hours. Then the airline canceled it.

“The tough part was they said they could get me in Sunday,” Konopka, a waiver acquisition, said Saturday prior to his Sabres a debut, a 2-1 win against the New Jersey Devils inside the First Niagara Center. “I said, ‘That’s not ... Read the full article