The Sabres made the playoffs in both of Steve Montador’s seasons. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Memories of Steve Montador special for Sabres’ Mike Weber

BUFFALO – The memories brought a warm smile to Mike Weber’s face. As a youngster trying to crack the NHL four years ago, Steve Montador mentored Weber. The Sabres defensemen often spent plane rides and meals together talking about hockey and life.

Montador, who played with the Sabres from 2009-11, was found dead Sunday morning in his Mississauga, Ontario, home, according to multiple reports. He was 35. Police do not suspect foul play.

“Monty will ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth stops Philadelphia’s Chris VandeVelde on Sunday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Zach Bogosian impresses in debut, Sabres fall to Flyers

BUFFALO – There was no easing Zach Bogosian into the lineup or letting him get acclimated to the Sabres’ systems. Coach Ted Nolan threw the aggressive defenseman headfirst into the fray, skating his newest addition a game-high 24 minutes, 49 seconds in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Bogosian responded, recording 11 hits, the Sabres’ highest total this season.

“That’s the way I like to play,” Bogosian said. “I felt good to get out ... Read the full article

Johan Larsson’s comments last month upset Sabres coach Ted Nolan. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Johan Larsson ready for fresh opportunity with Sabres

BUFFALO – As the Sabres trickled out on the ice Sunday morning, coach Ted Nolan and winger Johan Larsson skated around and talked about the prospect’s latest recall.

Upon getting demoted to Rochester in early January, Larsson voiced his displeasure with having to skate on the fourth line in the NHL, a complaint that irked Nolan.

“Yeah, I was upset,” Nolan said. “Players play. The tail can’t wag the dog.”

So Nolan gave Larsson a ... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian grew up in Massena. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Zach Bogosian happy to join Sabres: ‘I heard Buffalo, it was a good feeling’

BUFFALO – The mood on the ice inside HarborCenter belied the Sabres’ sorry state. Players laughed and had fun throughout Saturday’s up-tempo practice, the end of another trying week for the rebuilding club.

For some, the session, the first with new Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, was therapeutic.

“We got a good group of guys,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. “They give us what they have every day. They’re trying to keep their spirits up as ... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian has played 393 NHL games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Chris Stewart ill; Zach Bogosian finally practices with Sabres

BUFFALO – OK, relax, Sabres fans. Chris Stewart hasn’t been traded yet. The winger, who will almost certainly be dealt prior to the March 2 trade deadline, missed today’s practice inside HarborCenter because he’s sick, coach Ted Nolan said.

Stewart’s status is unclear for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, defenseman Josh Gorges, who’s dealing with an undisclosed injury that won’t go away, missed the session and will be evaluated by doctors to “see if it’s ... Read the full article

Evander Kane battles the Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons with Winnipeg. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan vows Sabres will fight to finish after blockbuster trade

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

Anders Lindback practiced with the Sabres today. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan on Sabres: ‘Not going to be like sacrificial lambs’

BUFFALO – The NHL’s worst team is down its top defenseman, starting goalie and No. 3 scorer after Wednesday’s trades. How rough will the Sabres’ final 27 games be without Tyler Myers, Jhonas Enroth and Drew Stafford?

Coach Ted Nolan told his Sabres they’re “not going to be like sacrificial lambs, just go out there and get slaughtered.”

“We have to make sure we play together, we protect one another and we work together – ... Read the full article

Tim Murray smiles Wednesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres pay steep price, land Evander Kane from Jets

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

Tyler Myers was the 2009-10 Calder Trophy winner. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

GM Tim Murray believes Evander Kane trade speeds up Sabres’ rebuild; Goalie Jhonas Enroth dealt to Stars

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ acquisition of winger Evander Kane and defenseman Zach Bogosian from the Jets today in the 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 this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center after pulling off the NHL’s biggest deal this season.

The Sabres paid a steep ... Read the full article

Evander Kane scored 30 goals in 2011-12. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres acquire Evander Kane from Jets in blockbuster trade, send Tyler Myers to Winnipeg

BUFFALO – The Sabres pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Winnipeg Jets this morning, acquiring winger Evander Kane, defenseman Zach Bogosian and a goalie prospect for defenseman Tyler Myers, winger Drew Stafford, prospects Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux and a 2015 first-round pick.

Stay tuned for more updates. The Sabres are scheduled to start practice at 11:45 a.m.

The two big pieces are Kane, a 23-year-old former 30-goal scorer, and Myers, a 25-year-old former ... Read the full article