Myers - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres rookie T.J. Brennan replaces struggling Jordan Leopold

BUFFALO – The gaffe gnawed away at Jordan Leopold. His blown coverage on Pascal Dupuis’ late tying goal a day earlier left the struggling Sabres defenseman “upset … the whole day” Monday, he said.

The 32-year-old, a veteran of 602 NHL games, probably felt even worse Tuesday morning.

For Lindy Ruff, leaving Dupuis wide open in the right circle, something Leopold called an “easy read,” was the last straw. The Sabres coach scratched Leopold for ... Read the full article

Struggling Leopold to sit as Sabres turn to rookie Brennan

BUFFALO – Jordan Leopold walked into the dressing room following a long skate this morning, began taking off his equipment and noticed a few reporters waiting to chat with him.

The struggling defenseman was the last player off the ice for a reason.

“You guys smell blood or what?” joked Leopold, who will sit as a healthy scratch tonight against the Winnipeg Jets inside the First Niagara Center.

Leopold, a team-worst minus-7, has never been ... Read the full article

Sabres shake off poor second period, roar back and down Bruins with 3 late goals

BUFFALO – It could’ve been about 8-1 after 40 minutes against the Boston Bruins on Friday. Instead, goalie Ryan Miller held his teammates in the contest, stopping 16 of 17 shots as the Sabres kept imploding in their own zone during the second period.

Miller, who’s been hung out to dry all season, gave the reeling Sabres the extra life they sorely needed as the capacity crowd of 19,070 fans booed them off the ice.... Read the full article

Sabres possess slew of underachievers in disappointing season

BUFFALO – On the surface, it sounds like a dynamic early-season combination. Goalie Ryan Miller locked in, on top of his game. Twenty-two goals and 49 points from the Sabres’ top line, highlighted by 11 scores and 23 points from superstar Thomas Vanek.

Well, it’s added up to a 5-7-1 record, 11 points and a last-place Northeast Division standing entering tonight’s tilt in Ottawa against the Senators.

The defense, the Sabres’ supposed strength, is ... Read the full article

Grigorenko and Myers sit as Regehr returns; Sabres waive Ellis

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ lineup reshuffling Sunday included rookie Mikhail Grigorenko’s first healthy scratch but still left struggling defenseman Tyler Myers’ watching for a second consecutive night.

Meanwhile, the Sabres waived forward Matt Ellis to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster prior to their 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.

Teams have until noon today to claim the 31-year-old Ellis, a high-energy fourth-liner.

Sabres’ Myers still out as Regehr returns; Ellis on waivers

BUFFALO – Tyler Myers, an NHL-worst minus-9 this season, will sit his second straight game tonight, the struggling defenseman told the Times Herald.

It’s also expected defenseman Robyn Regehr will return tonight inside the First Niagara Center following a seven-game absence (lower body). Rookie T.J. Brennan could sit against the Boston Bruins.

With Regehr on injured reserve and the Sabres at the 23-man roster limit, the Sabres placed Matt Ellis, a healthy scratch recently, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers could’ve been scratched much earlier

If the Buffalo Sabres’ defense corps hadn’t been down three regulars, it’s possible coach Lindy Ruff would’ve scratched the struggling Tyler Myers long before tonight’s contest against the Islanders in New York.

Instead, Myers got a few extra games to work his problems out. Ruff said Wednesday the 23-year-old’s game was improving.

Still, with Andrej Sekera (bone bruise) set to return, Myers will sit tonight as healthy scratch for the second time in his four-year ... Read the full article

Ehrhoff’s return pushes Pardy out of Sabres’ lineup

BUFFALO – Going back to the minors was difficult at first, Adam Pardy said. Other than a two-game conditioning stint last season, the Sabres defenseman had spent more than four years in the NHL.

Then the Sabres, who acquired Pardy from Dallas in July, waived the 28-year-old during training camp last month. Numbers kicked Pardy, the ninth defenseman in an eight-man race, back to the AHL.

“It’s something I’ve never went through before,” Pardy said ... Read the full article

Sabres’ defense corps getting woefully thin

BUFFALO – Remember just a few weeks ago when the Sabres’ defense corps went nine deep? Heck, they even waived Adam Pardy, an NHL veteran.

Well, the Sabres are down to five defensemen this afternoon at practice inside the First Niagara Center.

Mike Weber’s the newest name missing. Stay tuned for an update. It could merely be a maintenance day. He joins Christian Ehrhoff (muscle strain), Robyn Regehr (lower body) and Andrej Sekera (bruised ... Read the full article

T.J. Brennan replaces Andrej Sekera on Sabres’ banged-up blue line

BUFFALO – A bruised foot sidelined Sabres defenseman Andrej Sekera for Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers. Rookie T.J. Brennan replaced him, making his second appearance this season.

Sekera blocked Alexei Emelin’s shot shortly into his first shift Saturday, went to the dressing room and returned for several shifts before leaving the Sabres’ 6-1 loss in Montreal again after the first period.

Ruff hopes it’s a short-term injury.

“He took a pretty hard ... Read the full article