McCormick - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Cody McCormick not worried about concussions

BUFFALO – Cody McCormick escaped without even a cut when Eric Fehr’s skate hit the Sabres forward on the chin Nov. 22 in Washington.

“Watching the replay, it was pretty close,” McCormick said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I consider myself lucky coming out of that without a cut on my face.”

Fehr’s skate still injured McCormick. The 31-year-old has been undergoing concussion protocol.

McCormick, the Sabres’ top fighter, has a history of ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Tim Schaller from Amerks

BUFFALO – With forwards Cody McCormick and Drew Stafford injured, the Sabres recalled center Tim Schaller from Rochester this afternoon.

Schaller made his NHL debut in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win in Montreal. To create room for Schaller, the Sabres placed McCormick on injured reserved.

The 24-year-old Schaller has six goals and 15 points in 20 games with the AHL Americans this season.

McCormick is still undergoing concussion protocol. Stafford has a lower-body injury.... Read the full article

Cody McCormick out against Lightning; Sabres could make recall

BUFFALO – After participating fully in this morning’s skate, Sabres forward Cody McCormick left the ice and spoke to reporters about his recovery from a possible concussion.

It was assumed McCormick, out since Eric Fehr’s skate hit him in the head Nov. 22 in Washington, would return tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning inside the First Niagara Center.

But McCormick will miss his fourth straight game. With winger Drew Stafford out (lower body), the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zemgus Girgensons leading NHL All-Star Game voting

BUFFALO – The No. 1 vote-getter for the 2015 NHL All-Star Game has 15 career goals, hasn’t hit the 100-game mark yet and plays for one of the league’s worst teams.

As of late Monday, Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons led all NHL players in fan voting. If Latvians keep clicking for the 20-year-old, their favorite player will be in Columbus on Jan. 25.

“I just think it’s kind of funny,” Girgensons said Monday inside the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges set to return against Lightning

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges, out the last seven games with a knee injury, will play Tuesday against Tampa Bay, coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon.

The Sabres, winners of five of the last six contests, could have more healthy bodies back, too.

Center Cody McCormick, out the last three games with a possible concussion, has one more hurdle to clear before he can play, Nolan said. McCormick will meet with the doctor ... Read the full article

Sabres send Tim Schaller back to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent center Tim Schaller back to the AHL Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Schaller made his NHL debut in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win in Montreal, skating 11 minutes, 52 seconds.

Center Cody McCormick (possible concussion) or Drew Stafford (lower body) could return Tuesday when the Sabres host Tampa Bay.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Chris Stewart finally ends long goal slump

BUFFALO – The question made Chris Stewart pause for a moment.

“I’m searching for the right answer here,” the struggling winger said Wednesday prior to scoring a breakaway goal in the Sabres’ 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets inside the First Niagara Center.

Stewart, a two-time 28-goal scorer, has arguably been the Sabres’ biggest disappointment this season, compiling just two goals and three points in 22 games.

So much for that breakout season.

“It’s not ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta thrilled to play game in Buffalo again

BUFFALO – The 412-day wait to play a home game has been excruciating for Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta, an Angola native.

Since his last appearance here Oct. 10, 2013, the 28-year-old has endured a 10-game suspension, a surprising demotion to the minors, a torn ACL and what was basically a broken face.

Finally, Kaleta will play again tonight at the First Niagara Center. It might be a different experience, too. Kaleta, a winger his entire ... Read the full article

Sabres could use Patrick Kaleta at center

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta, center? Believe it. It could be happen Wednesday, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

Kaleta, a winger his entire nine-year career, has practiced in the middle the last two days. Nolan said Monday the Sabres could recall a center. For now, however, they are “going to keep the status quo.”

“He’s been waiting to get in,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “So we’ll maybe see how that ... Read the full article

Sabres have special memories of Pat Quinn; Michal Neuvirth ready to return

BUFFALO – Three Sabres – winger Tyler Ennis, center Cody Hodgson and defenseman Tyler Myers – played for former NHL coach and executive Pat Quinn, an iconic figure who died Sunday at 71 following a long illness.

Quinn coached the players to a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2009 world junior championship in Ottawa.

“He was awesome for us,” Ennis this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Canada hasn’t won gold since, something ... Read the full article