Tim Murray speaks to the media today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres GM Tim Murray on trade deadline: ‘It’s a good day’

BUFFALO – Tim Murray’s first NHL trade deadline as general manager was a busy one. The Sabres made three deals, sending veterans Jaroslav Halak, Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick away. Murray also made one surprising deal, trading prospect Brayden McNabb to the Los Angeles Kings.

Here’s more from Murray:

On if today was a good day:

“I think it’s a good day. I think the combination of the picks that we’ve added and the young ... Read the full article

Brayden McNabb played 12 games with the Sabres earlier this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres trade Brayden McNabb and draft picks to Kings for two prospects

BUFFALO – The Sabres have made their first trade of the day, sending 23-year-old defenseman Brayden McNabb and two second-round picks to the Los Angeles Kings for 18-year-old wing prospect Hudson Fasching and 23-year-old AHL winger Nicolas Deslauriers.

Fasching, the 118th overall pick in June, has 12 goals and 27 goals in 31 games as a freshman at the University of Minnesota. The American’s 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds.

Deslauriers, the 84th overall pick ... Read the full article

Andrej Sekera (4) and Nathan Gerbe left the Sabres after last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabres Nathan Gerbe, Andrej Sekera thriving with Hurricanes

BUFFALO – At first, Nathan Gerbe said, he didn’t understand why the Sabres waived and bought him out in early July. The diminutive winger had no inkling they had given up on him after five seasons.

“I didn’t know it was coming, that’s for sure,” Gerbe said Thursday prior to the Carolina Hurricanes’ 5-3 win inside the First Niagara Center. “No one spoke to me about it. So I think you get a little shocked. ... Read the full article

Phil Varone should make his NHL debut tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall from Amerks Phil Varone for first time

BUFFALO – The thinking was the Sabres, with eight defensemen at their disposal, would likely send one to Rochester.

Sure enough, they assigned rookie Brayden McNabb to the AHL with forward Kevin Porter, who’s finally healthy after getting hit into the boards Dec. 21.

But in a surprising move, the Sabres also recalled a youngster Wednesday afternoon, center Phil Varone, the Americans’ leading scorer. The 23-year-old prospect will likely play tonight against the Carolina ... Read the full article

Phil Varone is Rochester’s leading scorer. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall Phil Varone from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres have recalled center Phil Varone, Rochester’s leading scorer, according to the Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobzija.

The 23-year-old Varone has never played in the NHL or even in an exhibition contest. But he’s impressed this season in the AHL, compiling eight goals and 33 points in 38 games with the Americans.

The Sabres inked Varone two years ago after San Jose, which selected him 147th overall in 2009, ... Read the full article

Ryan Miller gloves RJ Umberger’s one-timer Saturday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller explains Saturday’s slick glove save

BUFFALO – A little more than halfway through the first period in Columbus’ 4-3 shootout victory Saturday, Sabres defenseman Jamie McBain pinched into the right circle was tripped by Nick Foligno, creating a two-on-one break.

With only defenseman Brayden McNabb defending, Foligno zoomed down the left wing into the circle and dished to RJ Umberger, who one-timed the feed.

Incredibly, Sabres goalie Ryan Miller got across his crease and snagged Umberger’s shot.

Here’s how Miller ... Read the full article

Ryan Miller is getting ready to play for Team USA at the Sochi Games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Goalie Ryan Miller still waiting to discuss future with Sabres’ new regime

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller appreciates Pat LaFontaine’s kind words. The hockey icon lauded his franchise goalie last week, telling reporters the Sabres would do their best to accommodate the former Vezina Trophy winner if he wants to stay here.

“It’s nice of him,” Miller, an unrestricted free agent following the season, said Saturday inside the Riverside Ice Rink. “I still need to kind of see what’s going on in the bigger picture.”

Miller said ... Read the full article

Jhonas Enroth has just one win and 12 total losses this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Poor goal support frustrating Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth

BUFFALO – Jhonas Enroth walked over to a hoard of cameras and reporters looking sullen following the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout loss to Florida.

The backup goalie stopped 34 shots Thursday, keeping his teammates in a contest they deserved to lose in regulation.

But the Sabres only mustered a single goal for Enroth again, the seventh time they’ve scored one goal or been blanked in front of the 25-year-old.

“I don’t know,” Enroth said when asked ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan took over the Sabres in November. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

GM Tim Murray tells Sportsnet Sabres will remove interim tag from coach Ted Nolan

BUFFALO – It appears the interim tag will be coming off Sabres coach Ted Nolan soon.

General manager Tim Murray told Sportsnet’s Hockey Central today he “can see where we probably will do something for him there that it won’t be on for long.”

Murray said, “Ted is my guy right now” during his introductory news conference Thursday.

He later added: “I was never told if I took this job I had to keep Ted ... Read the full article

Mikhail Grigorenko sat again Thursday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres will make decision on Mikhail Grigorenko’s future soon

BUFFALO – In past world junior championship appearances, Sabres center Mikhail Grigorenko said he would’ve been concentrating solely on his offensive game.

“I didn’t really think about defense or penalty kills or faceoffs or winning battles,” the 19-year-old prospect said Thursday prior to sitting out the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers as a healthy scratch.

But Grigorenko feels he’s evolving. This year, while scoring five goals and eight points in seven games ... Read the full article