Ryan Miller could be traded this offseason. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Stars Miller and Vanek know their Sabres careers could be over

BUFFALO – With his future as the Sabres’ franchise goalie iffy, Ryan Miller said he’s trying to find a balance. The veteran doesn’t want to jump to any conclusions as rumors swirl he’ll be traded from the struggling club this offseason.

For years, one of Miller’s greatest strengths has been becoming “really focused and fired up,” he said. But that hurt him at times.

So the 32-year-old wants to “let go just a little bit.”... Read the full article

Tyler Myers struggled much of this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Myers says conditioning will improve following poor season

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers said the season-ending hairline fracture he suffered in his left leg April 11 “could’ve been a blessing in disguise.”

The injury allowed the 23-year-old to spend a few weeks working with the team’s strength and conditioning staff.

“(We) just had a lot of talks about what was expected, what was needed,” Myers said Saturday as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s just more ... Read the full article

Chad Ruhwedel played college hockey in Pittsburgh earlier this month. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Chad Ruhwedel back in Pittsburgh amid dizzying stretch

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres rookie Chad Ruhwedel hasn’t truly left college yet. Six games into his new life, the 22-year-old defenseman is still enrolled at UMass Lowell, where he’s a senior pursuing degrees in business and marketing and management.

Even in the NHL, Ruhwedel, who had junior playing status, has some school work to do. When the season ends, he’ll go back and finish the semester.

“A little tough, but my teachers have been pretty ... Read the full article

Christian Ehrhoff takes a hit from Winnipeg’s Alexander Burmistrov. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ehrhoff excited to respresent reeling German national team

BUFFALO – Watching Germany’s national team fall into disarray and off the world stage hasn’t been easy for Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff.

The country recently failed to qualify for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Consider that other than three world war bans, the country’s ice hockey team had qualified for every other Olympics, all of them since 1948.

“Obviously, the non-qualification for the Olympics is very frightening, very sad,” Ehrhoff said Monday prior to ... Read the full article

Steve Ott knows the Sabres need help to make the playoffs. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres know a loss to Rangers would likely end playoff hopes

BUFFALO – The Sabres have shattered the widespread belief they would finish a lost season meekly and perhaps contend for a lottery pick instead of making an unlikely run at the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.

In dealing captain Jason Pominville and two other respected veterans for draft picks and prospects prior to the April 3 trade deadline, general manager Darcy Regier openly talked about the future and shifting the focus to next season.

The ... Read the full article

Chad Ruhwedel was playing NCAA hockey earlier this week. ©2013, Gil Talbot, UMass-Lowell

Sabres rookie Chad Ruhwedel to make NHL debut hours after signing contract

BUFFALO – What does interim coach Ron Rolston know about defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, the free agent from UMass Lowell the Sabres signed to a two-year, entry-level contract today?

“Not much,” Rolston said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Rolston will know a whole lot about Ruhwedel by about 5:30 p.m. The 22-year-old, who finished his three-year NCAA career earlier this week, will made his NHL debut against the Philadelphia Flyers this afternoon.

Ruhwedel ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers played 39 games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres down to five defensemen after Tyler Myers’ season-ending leg injury

BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers absorbed P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point with his leg.

After blocking the lethal shot, Myers hobbled off seconds later when the Canadiens converted their five-on-three power play.

The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.

Following the contest, Myers found ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers’ season ended Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Tyler Myers’ season-ending leg injury leaves Sabres’ defense depleted

BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers laid out on the ice, blocking P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point.

Myers got up and hobbled off seconds later after the Canadiens scored on the five-on-three power play.

The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.

Following the game, Myers ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers played 39 games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Broken bone in leg ends Myers’ season

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers broke a bone in his leg during Thursday’s 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens and is out for the season, the team announced this afternoon.

Myers struggled throughout much of this season, even getting scratched twice. The 23-year-old had three goals, eight points and a minus-8 rating in 39 games.

Stay tuned for more details.... Read the full article

Tyler Ennis (63) tries to poke the puck from Montreal’s P.K. Subban during the third period Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ season all but over after awful loss to Canadiens

BUFFALO – Fifteen minutes after a wretched, season-killing 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, the door to the Sabres dressing room swung open.

Inside, players had just finished discussing their embarrassing play and the path for the final seven games of this lost season.

Where do the hapless Sabres go following one of the worst efforts in recent memory?

“We talked amongst ourselves, obviously, what attitude are we going to have going forward here?” Sabres ... Read the full article