WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Tyler Ennis has only nine points this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan noticed a difference immediately after talking to Tyler Ennis. It looked like a huge weight had been lifted off the slick speedster, the interim Sabres coach said.
Nolan told the center to stop playing so robotically and start utilizing his natural instincts. The 24-year-old’s game possessed too much hesitancy when he replaced Ron Rolston on Nov. 13.
Ennis knows he’s at his best freewheeling around the ice.
“I think ... Read the full article
Trade rumors haven been swirling around Ryan Miller. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In Ted Nolan’s mind, franchise goalie Ryan Miller, an unrestricted free agent following the season, is more of a building block for the struggling Sabres than an asset.
“You build around him versus as a pawn to try to get something to make you better,” the interim coach said Wednesday. “You learn to deal with the now as a coach, and we got one of the better goaltenders in the world here. I’d ... Read the full article
Steve Ott was named a co-captain earlier this month and was given the ‘C’ on Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Steve Ott, the high-octane, fun-loving and helmet-licking agitator, won’t alter his style now that he’s the Sabres’ captain.
“I want to play a fine line edge of the game,” Ott said Wednesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s road tilt against the New York Rangers. “But I also can’t be a deterrent to my teammates, no difference if I was a captain or was not a captain.”
Martin Biron retired from the NHL on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A year ago, as Martin Biron spent the 113-day NHL lockout at home in East Aurora with his wife, Anne Marie, and four small children, the popular former Sabres goalie began seriously thinking about his post-hockey life.
Biron enjoyed attending all of his children’s activities – cheerleading competitions, football games, school events – something he couldn’t do while tending goal in the NHL.
The family time “made me realize all the things that ... Read the full article
Martin Biron played twice this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
The end came quickly for popular former Buffalo Sabres goalie Martin Biron.
Earlier this month, the loquacious 36-year-old was beginning his 16th NHL season and the fourth as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup with the New York Rangers.
Today, having been waived by the Rangers last week, Biron retired.
“After thinking about it with my family, I’ve decided to retire as a player and move on to a new chapter,” Biron tweeted. “Thank you all ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff played for the New York Rangers from 1989-91. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The New York Rangers have received permission to talk with former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff about their vacancy, according to ESPN.com and “Hockey Night in Canada” analyst Glenn Healy.
Ruff, arguably the best veteran coach on the market, recently spoke to Dallas and also talked with Tampa Bay shortly after his Feb. 20 firing after more than 15 years leading the Sabres.
The Sabres technically possess Ruff’s “rights” since they’re still paying ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller endured a tough night Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Two goals in 57 seconds. The New York Rangers couldn’t score another before the first period ended Friday, right?
The Sabres would buckle down facing elimination. Besides, the Rangers scored on fluky deflections.
Still, the crowd of 19,003 fans inside the First Niagara Center needed to vent.
So the surly spectators gave goalie Ryan Miller a Bronx cheer after he stopped a dump-in as the final seconds ticked down. Miller then nearly whiffed ... Read the full article
Brandon Sutter (16) and Christian Ehrhoff could battle again Tuesday in Pittsburgh. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The NHL tentatively postponed Friday’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins until this afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh tonight has been pushed back to Tuesday.
The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the changes.
It will be determined by 8:30 this morning if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.
The NHL contacted the Sabres early Friday afternoon about potentially moving the game, ... Read the full article
Marc-Andre Fleury and his Pittsburgh teammates will try to play in Boston on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tonight’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins has been tentatively postponed until Saturday afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh that night has been pushed back to Tuesday.
The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the postponement.
The NHL will announce by 8:30 a.m. Saturday if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.
The Sabres are still scheduled to host the New York Rangers tonight ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If you haven’t noticed, the Sabres received no help Thursday night. The eighth-place New York Rangers, tonight’s opponent, throttled hapless Florida. Ninth-place Winnipeg beat Carolina in overtime.
With 48 points, both clubs lead the 10th-place Sabres by four. A regulation loss tonight eliminates them from postseason contention.
“We just got to win out,” Sabres winger John Scott said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “We got to do what we ... Read the full article
