Makarov - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall goalie Matt Hackett, send two players to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled goalie Matt Hackett and sent center Mikhail Grigorenko and goalie Andrey Makarov back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Makarov was summoned Friday after goalie Chad Johnson suffered a lower-body injury in the morning skate. Johnson’s season could be over, Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters.

Goalie Anders Lindback played in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres face the Washington Capitals tonight.

The 25-year-old Hackett, who returned ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson doubtful for Senators; Andrey Makarov recalled

BUFFALO – Forget about goalie Chad Johnson making his Sabres debut tonight against the Ottawa Senators.

The 28-year-old Johnson, acquired from the New York Islanders on Monday, is doubtful for the road game with a lower-body injury, the team announced this afternoon. Johnson skated the past two days.

Goalie Anders Lindback will likely make his second straight start. The Sabres recalled Andrey Makarov from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Update: Coach Ted Nolan told reporters ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Nathan Lieuwen from Amerks

BUFFALO – With goalie Michal Neuvirth sidelined by a lower-body injury, the Sabres recalled Nathan Lieuwen from Rochester this afternoon.

Lieuwen has struggled badly with the AHL Americans this season, going 3-4 with a 3.53 goals against average and .876 save percentage.

The 23-year-old has performed terribly – 0-3, 4.91 and .838 – in his last six games. He has been yanked from three of his last five starts.

Lieuwen developed into a strong NHL ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta and Johan Larsson could be back in Sabres lineup soon

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta’s facial injury isn’t as bad the Sabres originally feared, and the winger could miss as little as a month, coach Ted Nolan said Tuesday.

“It’s still serious,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s not going to be a three-month thing. It’s could be a less-than-month type of thing. So we’re thankful for that.”

Kaleta and forward Johan Larsson were injured early in Sunday’s 3-2 shootout exhibition loss in Toronto. ... Read the full article

Sabres assign 7 to Amerks, including veteran Matt Ellis

BUFFALO – Veteran forward Matt Ellis was among seven players the Sabres sent to Rochester this afternoon.

The Sabres also assigned: forwards Joel Armia and Tim Schaller; defensemen Drew Bagnall and Nick Petricki; goalies Nathan Lieuwen and Andrey Makarov.

Ellis and Bagnall must clear waivers to reach the AHL Americans. Ellis captained Rochester in 2012-13 and last season before earning a 50-game recall.... Read the full article

Injured Sabres Patrick Kaleta and Johan Larsson still being evaluated

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ted Nolan had no updates on injured forwards Patrick Kaleta and Johan Larsson this afternoon. The players are still being evaluated.

“Nothing official yet,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll just wait until the official reports.”

The oft-injured Kaleta left Sunday’s 3-2 shootout preseason loss in Toronto just minutes in when Morgan Rielly’s slap shot hit the winger in the cheekbone area. Kaleta immediately skated off the ice to ... Read the full article

Andrej Meszaros enjoying fresh start with Sabres

TORONTO – Coach Ted Nolan noticed a little smirk on Andrej Meszaros’ face following the defenseman’s recent Buffalo Sabres debut.

Meszaros had just skated a whopping 29 minutes, 39 seconds in Tuesday’s 2-0 win against Carolina. The minutes felt like a warm welcome.

“It felt pretty good,” Meszaros said last week.

Meszaros, 28, hadn’t played that much in a 60-minute game since May 6, 2011. Back then, the Slovak had just been named Philadelphia’s top ... Read the full article

Goalie Andrey Makarov to start against Leafs, part of young Sabres lineup

BUFFALO – The Sabres aren’t bringing their ‘A’ squad to Toronto for tonight’s preseason contest against the Maple Leafs, but the lineup features a lot of youngsters and bubble players “that deserve to play,” coach Ted Nolan said.

“Camp’s far from over,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

First, here are forward lines: Cody Hodgson, Mikhail Grigorenko, Chris Stewart; Zac Dalpe, Torrey Mitchell, Brian Flynn; Joel Armia, Johan Larsson, Nick Deslauriers; ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Tim Schaller to make preseason debut

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan knew very little about Sabres prospect Tim Schaller prior to training camp. The center hasn’t dazzled the coach, but his play away from the puck has been catching Nolan’s eye.

“I just thought his hockey intelligence was evident to a few of us,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He kept doing it day after day after day. We just felt that he deserves an opportunity.”

Schaller, an ... Read the full article

Phil Varone believes he can stick with Sabres

BUFFALO – Phil Varone’s nine-game run last season grabbed coach Ted Nolan’s attention. The 5-foot-10 forward played well during his first NHL recall, compiling one goal and two points while taking a regular shift.

But Varone, who will play in today’s preseason opener in Washington, couldn’t convert a slew of scoring opportunities he generated.

“The difference between him and (Martin) St. Louis and players of that caliber who’s a smaller structure, when they have an ... Read the full article