LaFontaine - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Ville Leino on old regime: ‘I didn’t know who makes the decisions’

TORONTO – His position doesn’t matter, Buffalo Sabres center Ville Leino said. The Finn can play in the middle or on both wings. Leino cares about his ice time and responsibility.

The 30-year-old enjoyed little of either under former coach Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday with general manager Darcy Regier.

Leino has struggled as a third- or fourth-line winger most of this season. Rolston even scratched him recently.

But in Friday’s 3-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres beat Leafs in Ted Nolan’s debut, look like new team

BUFFALO – It might as well have been opening night again inside the First Niagara Center. Twenty-one games into the season, the Sabres started over Friday, performing like a new, refreshed team in their first game under interim coach Ted Nolan, an exciting 3-1 triumph against the hated Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nolan told the Sabres he was wiping the slate clean and didn’t care about their awful start under Ron Rolston, who was fired ... Read the full article

Pat LaFontaine’s phone call to Ted Nolan left Sabres coach speechless

BUFFALO – It was going to be a special weekend trip to New York. Ted Nolan and his wife, Sandra, would celebrate her birthday and watch their son, Jordan, play for the Los Angeles Kings.

Nolan also wanted to see “The Book of Mormon” musical on Broadway. So he recently called Pat LaFontaine, a close friend with a ticket connection.

“I said, ‘Teddy, you better get ready for the show. It’s a pretty interesting show,’” ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan expecting emotional debut as Sabres’ interim coach; Pat LaFontaine to start GM search next week

BUFFALO – It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for Ted Nolan. Since taking over as the Sabres’ interim coach, the 55-year-old has been trying to learn everything about his new players and team.

Nolan said he hasn’t had time to be nervous for his highly anticipated debut tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

Instead, he’s worrying about his players’ names.

“I’ve been so focused on what I have to ... Read the full article

Sabres and Leafs not expecting many fireworks in first meeting since preseason brawl

BUFFALO – Ever since Sabres tough guy John Scott ignited a brawl going after Toronto Maple Leafs star Phil Kessel 54 days ago, tonight’s tilt between longtime rivals has been circled on the schedule.

What’s going to happen? Will there be another melee like the Sept. 22 preseason contest? Will there be any kind of retribution?

Based on what both teams said Thursday, don’t expect any craziness to transpire as the home-and-home set begins.

“If ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan puts Sabres through lively practice, says he has ‘nothing to carry over’ after Maple Leafs brawl

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan’s voice was a constant throughout the Sabres’ lively 60-minute practice this morning inside the First Niagara Center. The interim coach kept encouraging his players, even following them during the up-tempo drills.

The Sabres responded, showcasing more energy and emotion than they had under Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday.

“It was really fast,” Sabres winger Tyler Ennis said about Nolan’s first real practice. “We moved through things quickly. It was ... Read the full article

Sabres owner Terry Pegula only began showing interest in Pat LaFontaine recently

BUFFALO – Joining the Sabres wasn’t on Pat LaFontaine’s radar. The legendary Hall of Fame center, whose No. 16 hangs in the First Niagara Center rafters, had just settled into a new job with the NHL.

But LaFontaine’s gig as the league’s vice president of hockey development recently brought him to a concussion conference in Florida, where he met with Sabres owner Terry Pegula, whose team has become a laughingstock this season.

Pegula and LaFontaine ... Read the full article

Interim coach Ted Nolan wants to make Sabres work, evaluate new players

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he’s a straightforward type of guy. So after taking over as interim coach Wednesday, the 55-year-old requested one thing from the Sabres, whose work ethic has been lacking during their awful 4-15-1 start.

“The only thing I asked is you compete,” Nolan, the Sabres’ coach from 1995-97, said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “Some guys play 25 minutes. Some guys play three minutes. To work for three minutes, ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan ready to make Sabres compete; players sad to see Darcy Regier and Ron Rolston fired

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he’s a straightforward type of guy. So after taking over as the Sabres’ interim coach today, the 55-year-old requested one thing from his new players, whose work ethic has been lacking during their awful 4-15-1 start.

“The only thing I asked is you compete,” Nolan, the Sabres’ coach from 1995-97, said following practice this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “Some guys play 25 minutes. Some guys play three ... Read the full article

Sabres fire Darcy Regier, Ron Rolston, hire Pat LaFontaine, Ted Nolan

BUFFALO – Pat LaFontaine was crossing the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge on Tuesday when a customs official realized the former Sabres superstar was in the car.

“He said, ‘You should be running the Sabres,’” LaFontaine said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Little did that official know LaFontaine was about to become the Sabres’ new president of hockey operations.

In a stunning move today, the 4-15-1 club fired Darcy Regier, the general manager since 1997, and ... Read the full article