WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
2026-27 Season Edition
Brian Flynn (65) skates around Dallas’ Alex Goligoski last month. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Less than three years ago, Brian Flynn was an undrafted and mostly unknown prospect at the University of Maine. The versatile forward’s signing with the Sabres barely registered with the fan base.
But Flynn quickly and quietly worked himself into a strong NHL prospect.
After less than a season in Rochester, Flynn debuted with the Sabres in 2012-13. The 26-year-old played regularly until they dealt him to the Montreal Canadiens for a fifth-round ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov will likely sit out tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Each time Nikita Zadorov violates a team rule, it’s important to remember the Sabres defenseman wasn’t drafted by Tim Murray. The gruff general manager isn’t tied to the Russian.
Sure, Zadorov, the 16th pick in 2013, is an elite prospect. At just 19 years old, he’s already a big contributor to the Sabres. Zadorov recently compiled seven points in seven games. The Sabres scored only 16 times in that stretch. He could ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov will likely sit another game. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the second time in less than a month, Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov stood up before his teammates and apologized for breaking a rule.
On Sunday morning, the Sabres benched the 19-year-old Russian for showing up to a meeting late.
“I just feel sorry this happened. … I couldn’t do that,” Zadorov said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “It was my mistake, 100 percent, no excuses, couldn’t do that. I spoke ... 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
Evander Kane talks to the media this afternoon. ©2015, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Evander Kane wouldn’t get into the details what happened earlier this month during his final days with the Winnipeg Jets. Still, the 23-year-old Sabres winger wanted to clear one thing up.
“Was I wearing a tracksuit? No,” Kane said this afternoon during his introductory news conference inside the First Niagara Center. “But it’s something (that) tends to get blown out of proportion, especially playing in a Canadian market.
“There’s been numerous things that ... Read the full article
The Sabres recalled Matt Ellis last month. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Matt Ellis considers himself a realist. At 33 years old, the center understands the Sabres have younger and more talented players they need to examine.
That’s why the veteran of 330 NHL games spent four months this season mentoring the organization’s AHL prospects in Rochester.
“To be perfectly honest, I enjoyed the role that I played in Rochester,” Ellis said Monday inside the First Niagara Center.
The role was fulfilling. Ellis felt proud ... Read the full article
Anders Lindback has played for four NHL teams. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the time being, goalie Anders Lindback will likely take a backseat to Michal Neuvirth. With Jhonas Enroth gone, the Sabres plan to evaluate Neuvirth to see if he’s worth re-signing.
But an opportunity could materialize for the 26-year-old Lindback, part of Wednesday’s Enroth trade with the Dallas Stars, if Neuvirth plays well and gets dished or he falters. The Sabres need goalies badly.
Sabres general manager Tim Murray loves big ... Read the full article
Evander Kane battles the Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons with Winnipeg. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – What will happen now? The Sabres were the NHL’s worst team before they traded Tyler Myers, Jhonas Enroth and Drew Stafford. The final 27 games could be brutal without their best defenseman, starting goalie and No. 3 scorer.
Myers skated a team-high 25 minutes a game, zooming all over the ice. Despite the Sabres’ porous defense, Enroth tended some strong goal all season. Stafford had nine of the club’s 97 goals and 24 ... Read the full article
Tim Murray smiles Wednesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ acquisition of winger Evander Kane and defenseman Zach Bogosian from the Jets in Wednesday’s blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Tyler Myers to Winnipeg makes the rebuilding club closer to contending, general manager Tim Murray said.
“My plan was to do something like this to speed it up,” Murray said inside the First Niagara Center after pulling off the NHL’s biggest deal this season.
The Sabres paid a steep price, however, dealing ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth started most of this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The market for goalies this season is small. Most teams are set in net. Tim Murray had two soon-to-be free agents with starting experience on his roster, yet the Sabres general manager only received one call from an interested club.
“There’s very few that need a goalie right now,” Murray said Wednesday inside the First Niagara Center after trading goalie Jhonas Enroth to the Dallas Stars for 6-foot-6 goalie Anders Lindback and a ... Read the full article