WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Johan Larsson has 39 points in the AHL. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
With winger Torrey Mitchell and defenseman Tyler Myers questionable for Thursday’s game in Nashville, the Buffalo Sabres have recalled rookies Johan Larsson and Rasmus Ristolainen from Rochester, according to WHTK’s Rob Sanderson.
UPDATE: The Sabres have officially recalled Larsson and Ristolainen on an emergency basis.
Both played in the Americans’ 3-1 loss to Milwaukee tonight.
Larsson, and Swedish forward, has 15 goals and 39 points in 45 AHL games and one assist in ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen played five times during his recall. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres today sent rookie defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen to Rochester following a five-game recall.
Defensemen Tyler Myers (arm) or Alexander Sulzer (upper body) could be ready to return Tuesday in Montreal.
The 19-year-old Ristolainen compiled zero points and a minus-5 rating during the recall. The Finn has one goal, one point and minus-9 rating in 24 NHL games this season.
Goalie Matt Hackett will start against the Canadiens, interim Sabres coach Ted ... Read the full article
Nathan Lieuwen made his NHL debut on Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A day after his surprising NHL debut, everything had settled down a bit for Sabres rookie Nathan Lieuwen.
Lieuwen said his body felt OK after playing three games in three days, a rarity for a goalie. He even remembered some of the action he faced Sunday. Memories were a blur following his 22-minute, 10-save relief appearance in the Sabres’ 2-0 loss to Montreal.
“I could remember a few more things this ... Read the full article
Nathan Lieuwen is staying with the Sabres for now. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The good news for the injury-riddled Sabres?
Starting goalie Jhonas Enroth, knocked out of Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Montreal with an apparent right leg injury, could play again this season. The Swede won’t accompany the Sabres on their five-game road trip, however.
“It looks at least a little bit better today than it did yesterday,” interim coach Ted Nolan said today inside the First Niagara Center before the Sabres left for Calgary.
The ... Read the full article
Nathan Lieuwen will dress tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Former Sabres star Thomas Vanek couldn’t quite explain what he felt walking into the First Niagara Center for the first time as an opponent this afternoon.
“It was actually a different feeling, for sure,” said Vanek, now a member of the Montreal Canadiens. “It’s just I can’t explain it. I felt pretty good all day. As soon as I walked in here I started to get a little of the jitter.”
Vanek, an ... Read the full article
Cory Conacher was never drafted and played in the ECHL briefly. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – There was no straight path to the NHL for Cory Conacher. About 10 years ago, after the AAA Burlington Cougars cut him, the diminutive Sabres winger figured his hockey career was over.
“You always run into a certain coach that just doesn’t like your physical stature,” Conacher recalled Friday, “and that’s kind of I think what happened.”
But the 5-foot-8 Conacher had a chip on his shoulder that would help buoy him ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen has played 30 AHL games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With defenseman Alexander Sulzer out, the Sabres today recalled rookie Rasmus Ristolainen from Rochester.
The 19-year-old should play tonight in New York against the Islanders, his first NHL game since Nov. 15.
Ristolainen, the eighth overall pick in June, compiled one goal and four penalty minutes in 19 games after making the Sabres out of training camp. He played one game under interim coach Ted Nolan before the Sabres sent him to the ... Read the full article
Chris Stewart has played two games with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In his second appearance Thursday, winger Chris Stewart wowed interim coach Ted Nolan, adding some much-needed size and grit to the Sabres.
But Stewart collided with Tampa Bay goalie Anders Lindback late in the Sabres’ 3-1 win, injuring his right ankle.
The 26-year-old’s season is likely over, Nolan said.
“Stewart doesn’t look good right now,” he said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “There’s only five weeks left in the year. I ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan could become the Sabres’ permanent coach soon. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan should be returning to the Sabres next season.
The interim coach said Monday his representative is handling a new contract with Sabres general manager Tim Murray.
“I guess he and Tim will be talking soon if (they haven’t) talked already,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators. “It’s formalities and getting things ironed out and doing all the legal stuff. ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan returned to the Sabres in November. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan sounds like he will be returning to the Sabres next season.
The interim coach said this afternoon his representative is handling a new contract with Sabres general manager Tim Murray.
“I guess he and Tim will be talking soon if not talked already,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s formalities and getting things ironed out and doing all the legal stuff. … We’ll leave it in their hands for ... Read the full article