WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Ville Leino played only eight games last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It keeps getting worse for Sabres winger Ville Leino.
Leino, who played only eight games last season while battling a hip and lung injury, cracked a rib early in Wednesday’s season-opening 2-1 loss in Detroit and is out indefinitely.
The Finn should only miss a couple of weeks, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center.
Leino stayed in the game, skating 12:38. But Rolston said ... Read the full article
Ville Leino hasn’t produced much offense with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Forget about Ville Leino’s shaky past with the Sabres and the widespread belief he’s a bust. Start judging the Finn differently.
The winger feels poised for a breakout season under new coach Ron Rolston.
Why should someone with only 10 goals and 31 points two seasons into a six-year, $27 million contract be given a clean slate?
Leino’s finally healthy after years of discomfort, having undergone a second hip surgery during the offseason... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov has made three preseason appearances. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The three-year, entry-level contract defenseman Nikita Zadorov signed Wednesday doesn’t affect the 18-year-old’s immediate NHL future, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said.
The team always intended to lock up Zadorov, the 16th overall pick in June, as quickly as possible. It’s only a coincidence the sides reached a deal in the midst of an impressive training camp from the Russian.
“I think if you can deal with it in his first year ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis played the wing Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – On Friday, coach Ron Rolston said the Sabres “would look at all options” to find another center, even if it meant moving someone over from the wing.
Sure enough, Tyler Ennis was centering Marcus Foligno and Drew Stafford this morning as the Sabres prepared for tonight’s preseason contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the First Niagara Center.
Where does Rolston see Ennis winding up eventually, center or wing? The 23-year-old has ... Read the full article
Joel Armia skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The hype has been building since slick Finnish winger Joel Armia was selected 16th overall in 2011. In the 20-year-old, the Sabres possess a prospect so talented many believe he could crack the NHL right away.
Yet few have seen Armia, who spent the last three seasons playing at home in SM-liiga, up close.
Who exactly is this guy?
Fans will find out tonight, when Armia makes his Buffalo debut in the ... Read the full article
The Sabres picked Rasmus Ristolainen eighth overall in June. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Four No. 1 picks from the last two years, including both 2013 selections, defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, will skate for the Sabres in tonight’s preseason opener in Montreal.
Expect to see the rebuilding Sabres showcase plenty of youth throughout the seven-game exhibition schedule, coach Ron Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
“There’s going to be a lot of opportunity for those players, and they’re going to get a ... Read the full article
Ville Leino played only eight games last year. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Having had hip surgery before in 2010, Sabres winger Ville Leino wasn’t worried about undergoing a second procedure, this time on his right side, early in the offseason.
Leino played through some pain last season but knew the injury had to be addressed. Hip issues had dogged the Finn since his days in Detroit four years ago.
“Now they’re both fixed up,” Leino said last week after skating with some teammates inside the ... Read the full article
Two years ago, the Sabres signed Ville Leino, a winger, to a six-year, $27 million contract to play center. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The focus during free agency, general manager Darcy Regier said, will be on adding supporting pieces to the Sabres’ younger core group. The crazy spending of the past appears to be over, at least for this summer.
So, when free agency opens at noon today, don’t expect the Sabres to wildly overpay or overreach for any Ville Leino-types again. And don’t expect them to throw tens of millions of dollars at any ... Read the full article
Darcy Regier is trying to be realistic about the Sabres landing an early draft pick. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres hold four of the first 52 picks in this month’s deep NHL Entry Draft, including the eighth and 16th selections. They also have starting goalie Ryan Miller and ace scorer Thomas Vanek, two stars with a year left on their contracts, dangling.
Still, despite a slew of assets, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said Thursday securing one of the top three selections – future stars Jonathan Drouin, Seth Jones and ... Read the full article
Darcy Regier has assets to trade. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres hold four of the first 52 picks in this month’s deep NHL Entry Draft, including the eighth and 16th selections. They also have starting goalie Ryan Miller and ace scorer Thomas Vanek, two stars with a year left on their contracts, dangling.
Still, despite a slew of assets, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said today securing one of the top three selections – future stars Jonathan Drouin, Seth Jones and ... Read the full article