WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Happy Holidays
Sam Reinhart smiles at Team Canada’s camp in December. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – These are the final weeks of top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart’s spectacular junior career.
As expected, the slick 19-year-old has dominated the Western Hockey League in his five months back with the Kootenay Ice, compiling 18 goals and 59 points in only 44 games.
But hockey observers knew Reinhart, the No. 2 pick in June, would be a superstar playing among teenagers again. The Sabres sent the intelligent center back to junior ... Read the full article
Sabres goalie Anders Lindback (35) tries to stop the puck Saturday in from of Nikita Zadorov (51). ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – At this point, it’s a fair question to ask. Given the Sabres’ sorry state – they’re on a 0-5-1 run with AHL players filling out the NHL’s weakest roster following the trade deadline – can they win again this season?
A few more losses could cement 30th place and secure the rights to draft either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, the mega-prospects the Sabres covet so dearly.
The Sabres have 14 ... Read the full article
Chris Stewart joined Minnesota on Monday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ deals before Monday’s trade deadline stripped the NHL’s worst team of four assets. Gone are starting goalie Michal Neuvirth, first-line winger Chris Stewart and centers Brian Flynn and Torrey Mitchell, two checkers thrust into bigger roles thanks to the rebuilding team’s shortage of talent.
In return, the Sabres received, well, nothing very notable or of immediate help. Only one NHL player, backup goalie Chad Johnson, came back. They also added four ... Read the full article
The Sabres introduced Evander Kane on Saturday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For almost 13 minutes, Evander Kane smoothly answered questions about his turbulent past with the Winnipeg Jets and the future that could be special for the 23-year-old winger following his recent acquisition by the Sabres.
Wearing jeans, a Sabres hoody with his No. 9 and a sling around his surgically repaired left shoulder, an upbeat Kane sounded relieved to be out of Winnipeg, a city he calls a “fishbowl.”
“Let’s just put it ... Read the full article
Doug Wilson, now San Jose’s general manager, captained the Sharks in 1992-93, his final NHL season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Drew Remenda laughs about the experience now. The loquacious television analyst illustrates the haplessness of the 1992-93 San Jose Sharks, co-owners of the longest losing streak in NHL history, with long, colorful stories. He even sounds nostalgic recalling the epic 17-game skid.
But 22 years ago, Remenda, then a 30-year-old assistant coach in charge of video for the second-year franchise, was suffering through a hellish season in which the Sharks became so bad they tied ... Read the full article
Phil Varone only played sparingly Saturday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a deep rebuild, with losses and injuries piling up, plenty of jobs on the Sabres are still available.
Heck, the Sabres have had openings throughout the lineup for two years. Sooner or later, someone – a top prospect, an unknown youngster, a waiver acquisition or a depth veteran – has to step up and grab one, right?
Sabres coach Ted Nolan wants the newcomers do something different, stand out and make a ... Read the full article
Mike Weber fights Steve Downie on Saturday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Following an embarrassing 5-0 loss eight days ago in Pittsburgh, defenseman Mike Weber passionately called for more anger and intensity from the reeling Sabres.
The gritty Weber sat out the next night, the first of three straight healthy scratches. The 26-year-old, an emotional presence, hadn’t missed a game since Dec. 10.
The Pittsburgh native played again in Saturday’s 6-1 loss to the Penguins inside the First Niagara Center.
“It was extremely tough,” Weber ... Read the full article
Connor McDavid had four points Wednesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Six months ago, Steve Poland paid $110 for a discounted gold Sabres alternate jersey at the team store and had 17-year-old junior superstar Connor McDavid’s last name and No. 97 stitched on it.
“I bought it as a joke for this forthcoming season,” Poland said Wednesday prior to watching McDavid and the Erie Otters inside the First Niagara Center.
Poland, like a lot of rabid fans, wants the Sabres to lose all season ... Read the full article
Connor McDavid stretches Tuesday in Buffalo. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Hockey phenom Connor McDavid mostly avoids the kind words that are being written about him.
“I’ve been trying to do that as much as I can, because it can either get in your head that you’re too good, or bad press can also get in your head and do negative things for you,” the slick Erie Otters center said Tuesday. “I just try to stay away from reading about yourself.”
Some words, however, ... Read the full article
Gary Bettman speaks to the media Monday. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres officially have the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. They plan to bid on an NHL All-Star game. The team has already secured the league’s scouting combine for the next two years.
Hmmm, what other big event could be in the works?
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said owner Terry Pegula and his wife, Kim, mentioned Monday the Sabres would be interested in hosting another outdoor game.
The Sabres had the first Winter Classic ... Read the full article