Neuvirth - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sam Reinhart’s first goal closes Sabres’ preseason blowout win against Capitals

BUFFALO – Seven minutes, 10 seconds into the third period Wednesday, with the Sabres up four goals against the Washington Capitals, top prospect Sam Reinhart finally found some open ice.

Reinhart, by his own admission, had been pressing this preseason. The savvy 18-year-old couldn’t score or even create opportunities, and it gnawed at him. The hockey IQ fans have heard about so much rarely materialized.

But as Wednesday’s contest dragged on, the center got open ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Michal Neuvirth struggles in preseason loss, Chris Stewart shines

BUFFALO – If this keeps up, the battle to become the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie could be over soon.

Michal Neuvirth performed poorly in his first preseason action, making only 16 saves in the Sabres’ 6-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday inside the First Niagara Center.

The Leafs scored on four of their first seven shots and five of the first 12.

“A tough game, not a lot of shots,” Neuvirth said. ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Tim Schaller to make preseason debut

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan knew very little about Sabres prospect Tim Schaller prior to training camp. The center hasn’t dazzled the coach, but his play away from the puck has been catching Nolan’s eye.

“I just thought his hockey intelligence was evident to a few of us,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He kept doing it day after day after day. We just felt that he deserves an opportunity.”

Schaller, an ... Read the full article

Jhonas Enroth, top line shine in Sabres’ preseason win against Hurricanes

BUFFALO – At one end, Jhonas Enroth thwarted the Carolina Hurricanes, stopping all 35 shots he faced. The diminutive Swede performed like a No. 1 goalie in the Sabres’ 2-0 exhibition win inside the First Niagara Center.

At the other end Tuesday, Tyler Ennis, Matt Moulson and Drew Stafford dominated for spells, creating both Sabres goals. The trio performed like a No. 1 line.

Plenty of jobs and roles are up for grabs this preseason. ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart feels he improved as preseason debut went on

BUFFALO – Sam Reinhart’s NHL preseason debut wasn’t exactly memorable. In 16 minutes, 53 seconds spread over 19 shifts, the slick center was a minus-1 and compiled zero shots in the Sabres’ 1-0 loss to the Washington Capitals.

But as the game went on Sunday, Reinhart, the No. 2 pick in June, said he felt more comfortable.

“That’s the biggest thing that I’m focusing on right now,” Reinhart, who will play in Tuesday’s preseason home ... Read the full article

Friends Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth ready to battle for Sabres’ starting goalie job

BUFFALO – They’ve been friends for years. Sabres goalies Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth grew up facing each other overseas. When their careers shifted to North America, they kept competing all the way to the NHL.

These days, the 26-year-olds are challenging for the same spot, the No. 1 goalie position.

“It’s Jhonas and Neuvirth’s time,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Friday inside the First Niagara Center following the first session of training camp.

The ... Read the full article

Sabres optimistic, believe new group of talent will create success

BUFFALO – It’s an odd dynamic. Some fans, even the most diehard ones, want the Sabres to lose this season so they can draft a franchise-changing prospect.

“I didn’t come here to lose,” Sabres winger Brian Gionta said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center. “The first step is to get into the playoffs.”

That kind of talk has been rare here for the last 18 months as the Sabres quickly morphed into the NHL’s worst ... Read the full article

Sabres believe days of losing are over

BUFFALO – Their faces told a story. One-by-one, Sabres players took their turn at a podium this morning, the start of training camp. Each one smiled and spoke optimistically.

They all talked about the great things the Sabres, the NHL’s laughingstock last year, can do this season after revamping the lineup this summer

“I didn’t come here to lose,” Sabres winger Brian Gionta, a July 1 signing, said inside the First Niagara Center. “The first ... Read the full article

Sabres training camp will have plenty of storylines

BUFFALO – If you love roster battles, the next three weeks of Sabres training camp should be fun.

About 34 players have a legitimate chance to crack the opening-night lineup. They have a prized prospect, slick center Sam Reinhart, vying for a spot. The starting goalie job is up for grabs. Defense spots are open. Nine or 10 guys will be competing for three fourth-line spots.

Players report for physicals today. The first on-ice session ... Read the full article

Goalie Linus Ullmark rapidly developing into one of Sabres’ top prospects

BUFFALO – It was a low-risk move. In 2012, the Sabres wanted to find a late-round steal in net. The team’s new European scouts scoured Finland and Sweden, two countries known for producing hidden goaltending gems.

Eventually, the Sabres drafted Linus Ullmark, a little-known Swede, in the sixth round, 163^rd overall.

Barely two years later, Ullmark has developed into a legitimate NHL prospect. The 20-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in the Swedish Hockey ... Read the full article