WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Steve Ott skates this morning. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Steve Ott’s opinion of the Buffalo Sabres hasn’t changed. The former captain still believes the rebuilding club’s future can be bright.
Still, the gritty winger is “disappointed” Pat LaFontaine resigned as the team’s president of hockey operations March 1, a day after the Sabres traded Ott and franchise goalie Ryan Miller to the St. Louis Blues.
“I thought he was a phenomenal man,” Ott said this afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre after ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan could become the Sabres’ permanent coach soon. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan should be returning to the Sabres next season.
The interim coach said Monday his representative is handling a new contract with Sabres general manager Tim Murray.
“I guess he and Tim will be talking soon if (they haven’t) talked already,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators. “It’s formalities and getting things ironed out and doing all the legal stuff. ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan returned to the Sabres in November. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan sounds like he will be returning to the Sabres next season.
The interim coach said this afternoon his representative is handling a new contract with Sabres general manager Tim Murray.
“I guess he and Tim will be talking soon if not talked already,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s formalities and getting things ironed out and doing all the legal stuff. … We’ll leave it in their hands for ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan has a contract extension offer from the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Two days after Ted Nolan appeared devastated discussing the sudden departure of his close friend, Pat LaFontaine, igniting speculation he could also be leaving the Sabres, the interim coach sounded like someone who’s staying put.
Nolan has an extension on the table from the Sabres, something he said he might tackle next week.
“There’s a lot more important issues than getting my contract signed,” Nolan told reporters Tuesday in Tampa Bay. “It’s in ... Read the full article
Cory Conacher was waived today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Hey, winger Cory Conacher might fit in pretty well in Buffalo. The 24-year-old Canisius product has four goals and 20 points in 59 games this season. Only five Sabres have more points.
The Ottawa Senators waived Conacher today, immediately igniting speculation the Sabres, who have the first claim thanks to their 30th overall ranking, would grab him.
On the surface, it seems like a natural fit. Conacher’s the most decorated local NCAA product ever. ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford has been performing well under Ted Nolan. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Drew Stafford remembers last year’s NHL trade deadline well. The Sabres winger stayed by his phone all day, stressed out. By 4 p.m., as rumors circulated he was on the move, it started “blowing up.”
“I think that was one of my first experiences with the power of social media and how one little thing can turn into another thing as far as rumors and speculation go,” Stafford said Thursday inside the First ... Read the full article
Ted Black (left) and Tim Murray discuss the Sabres’ tumultuous weekend Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A Sabres icon bolted less than four months after returning to the team he loved. The franchise goalie and captain got traded.
The Sabres just endured perhaps the most trying weekend in their 43-year history. That was before the popular coach sounded like he might want to leave.
“It’s a lot for our fans to swallow in a short amount of time,” Sabres president Ted Black said Sunday, a day after Pat LaFontaine ... Read the full article
Ted Black (left) and Tim Murray address the media this afternoon. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres president Ted Black understands Pat LaFontaine’s stunning resignation as president of hockey operations creates uncertainty for a team that had finally seemed to stabilize itself.
“It’s something that fans are going to be upset by,” Black said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center, a day after LaFontaine abruptly bolted from the organization after less than four months.
Still, Black said, LaFontaine was only one person.
“I don’t know if it impacts ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan has talked about a contract extension with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Pat LaFontaine’s resignation as the Sabres’ president of hockey operations has rocked interim coach Ted Nolan, his close friend.
“It’s tough,” an emotional Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I don’t even want to think about it right now, to tell you the truth. It’s that tough.”
Nolan hasn’t spoken to LaFontaine in the past couple of days and called his departure a “big surprise.”
“Everyone knows what kind ... Read the full article
Pat LaFontaine (left) shakes Tim Murray’s hand Jan. 9. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a stunning development, Sabres legend Pat LaFontaine, the team’s president of hockey operations less than four months, resigned today.
LaFontaine will return to the job he had with the NHL.
According to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie, the last straw for LaFontaine was Friday’s blockbuster deal in which the Sabres sent Ryan Miller to the St. Louis Blues.
LaFontaine wanted to give the 33-year-old Miller an extension. New general manager Tim Murray, who LaFontaine ... Read the full article