WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
September Edition
Victor Antipin played 47 games with the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres did not tender a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Victor Antipin by Monday’s deadline, making the Russian defenseman a free agent.
Antipin, 25, signed a one-year contract last year following a strong season in the KHL. In 47 games as a rookie in 2017-18, Antipin compiled 10 assists.
“We were really impressed with him,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said Monday inside KeyBank Center. “I know things didn’t go maybe ... Read the full article
Phil Housley spent four years in Nashville. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – By about 2013, Phil Housley knew it was time to take a crack at the NHL.
When Housley retired from his 21-year career as a defenseman in 2003, he went home to Minnesota and enjoyed life as a husband and father while coaching the boy’s team at Stillwater High School.
After so many years moving around North America, Housley, who now coaches the Sabres, wanted to settle down and watch his children grow ... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian missed more than two months earlier this season. ©2017, Michline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In Zach Bogosian’s first two appearances following a 25-game absence, adrenaline carried the Sabres defenseman, coach Phil Housley said.
“Those first two games he was our best defenseman,” Housley said prior to Friday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes inside KeyBank Center.
But after those outings earlier this month, Bogosian experienced a normal dip returning from his lower-body injury.
“The adrenaline’s not there, now you’re in the game mode and getting prepared, ... Read the full article
Matt Moulon (26) fights off Boston’s Anton Blihd last season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As expected, winger Matt Moulson cleared waivers today, meaning the Sabres will likely send him to the Rochester Americans.
The NHL’s worst team waived the graying Moulson, 34, on Monday. The veteran compiled zero points and a minus-9 rating in 14 appearances this season.
Moulson hasn’t played in the AHL since 2008-09. He’s in the fourth season of a five-year, $25 million contract.... Read the full article
Matt Moulson scores on his first shot with the Sabres on Oct. 28, 2013. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The news the Sabres would waive Matt Moulson hit winger Kyle Okposo hard.
Okposo spoke emotionally and looked shaken discussing the likely end to his best friend’s long Sabres career. Moulson and Okposo became close years ago as New York Islanders teammates. They’re even godfathers to each other’s children.... Read the full article
Josh Gorges (4) checks Scott Wilson, then with Pittsburgh, two seasons ago. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – On paper, the Sabres acquired a third- or fourth-line forward with 13 goals and 32 points in 123 career NHL games. But in Scott Wilson, they have a player who developed in a winning culture and raised the Stanley Cup six months ago.
For a team currently dead last in the NHL, that means something.
Shortly after the Sabres waived Matt Moulson on Monday, general manager Jason Botterill sent the Detroit Red ... Read the full article
Scott Wilson won the Stanley Cup last season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres weren’t done making moves after waiving Matt Moulson earlier today. The NHL’s worst team also acquired forward Scott Wilson from the Detroit Red Wings for a 2019 fifth-round pick.
Sabres general manager Jason Botterill knows Wilson from their days together with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where Wilson won a Stanley Cup last season.
The Penguins traded Wilson, 25, to the Red Wings on Oct. 21. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound Wilson has zero points ... Read the full article
Matt Moulson beats San Jose goalie Martin Jones on Feb. 8. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The news the Sabres would waive Matt Moulson hit Sabres winger Kyle Okposo hard.
Okposo spoke emotionally and looked shaken discussing the likely end to his best friend’s long Sabres career. Moulson and Okposo became close years ago as New York Islanders teammates. They’re even godfathers to each other’s children.... Read the full article
Matt Moulson was a healthy scratch this season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres will waive Matt Moulson at noon today for the purpose of an assignment, effectively ending the graying winger’s career here.
The Sabres announced the move in a one-sentence press release this morning. If Moulson, 34, clears, he will likely be assigned to the Rochester Americans. Moulson hasn’t played in the AHL since 2008-09.
Given Moulson’s in the fourth year of a five-year, $25 million contract, he will almost certainly pass through. ... Read the full article
Hudson Fasching rebounded in Rochester after a weak training camp. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – Instead of battling for an NHL roster spot during training camp, Sabres prospect Hudson Fasching started slowly before Buffalo demoted him early.
As a rookie last season, Fasching’s strong camp forced the Sabres to keep him. This year, however, the winger never really contended for a spot.
“It wasn’t the camp that I wanted,” Fasching said Saturday prior to his NHL season debut, a 5-1 loss to the Penguins inside PPG Paints Arena. ... Read the full article