Leino - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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 moving Sabres rookie Zemgus Girgensons to center

BUFFALO – As the Latvian national team’s coach, Ted Nolan had one center on his roster for the 2013 world championship.

“We a hand a bunch of players, but no natural center ice men,” Nolan, the Sabres’ new interim coach, said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

So when Sabres rookie Zemgus Girgensons finished his first professional season in Rochester last year, a campaign he spent playing wing, Nolan put the 19-year-old Latvian ... 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

Robyn Regehr thriving with Kings, grateful for time with Sabres

BUFFALO – Robyn Regehr and the rest of the Kings had a team function at the Los Angeles Zoo last week, at a time when the city’s infamous traffic was awful.

The players all got there, albeit two and a half hours late.

“Very different living,” Regehr said Tuesday prior to the Kings’ 3-2 shootout loss inside the First Niagara Center, the defenseman’s first game here since the Sabres traded him for two second-round draft ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis embarrassed by benching, knows he must produce offense

BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis said nothing has ever embarrassed him as much as getting benched for the final 26 minutes of the Sabres’ 6-2 loss Friday in Anaheim.

“Oh, totally, big time,” the center said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I never in my career had to do that. So it was tough. I just got to put the puck in the net.”

So far, Ennis, who should be back at center against ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino set to return, not sure why he was scratched

BUFFALO – So, does Sabres winger Ville Leino know why coach Ron Rolston scratched him for Friday’s 6-2 loss in Anaheim?

“Not really,” Leino, who will return tonight against the Los Angeles Kings, said after skating this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Can Leino, who has one point and one shot in seven games, guess why he sat?

“There’s no point guessing,” he said. “I don’t know if it really matters at this ... Read the full article

Ron Rolston switches up Sabres’ lines

BUFFALO – Top NHL lines rarely get benched long, especially on anemic teams with little or no depth.

So why did coach Ron Rolston sit the Matt Moulson, Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis trio the final 26 minutes of the Sabres’ 6-2 loss Friday in Anaheim.

“I’m not going to discuss that,” Rolston said Monday inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s contest against the Los Angeles Kings.

As expected, ... Read the full article

Ron Rolston moves Steve Ott to Sabres’ top line

BUFFALO – Top NHL lines rarely get benched long, especially on anemic teams with little or no depth.

So why did coach Ron Rolston sit the Matt Moulson, Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis trio the final 26 minutes of the Sabres’ 6-2 loss Friday in Anaheim.

“I’m not going to discuss that,” Rolston said after practice today inside the First Niagara Center.

As expected, the 3-15-1 Sabres, who have just 31 goals, mixed up their ... Read the full article

Sabres change lines after embarrassing loss

BUFFALO – When you’re 3-15-1 and have 31 goals, why should any line stay intact?

The Sabres, fresh off Friday’s embarrassing 6-2 loss in Anaheim, have changed their forward combinations for practice this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

The top trio coach Ron Rolston benched the final 26 minutes against the Ducks – Matt Moulson, Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis – is no longer.

Captain Steve Ott is skating on the right wing beside ... Read the full article

Healthy scratch an early sign Sabres will move on from Ville Leino

Not long ago, there was a belief among Buffalo Sabres fans – actually, looking back, it was probably more of a wish – a healthy and refreshed Ville Leino would succeed this season.

Sure, maybe the 30-year-old winger would never reach the lofty expectations of the ridiculous six-year, $27 million contract he signed July 1, 2011. But perhaps the Finn, with his hip repaired and a full season under new coach Ron Rolston, would ... Read the full article