Nolan - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ted Nolan unimpressed with Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko: ‘I didn’t like his play’

BUFFALO – Don’t count on seeing Mikhail Grigorenko with the Sabres again this season. Heck, the enigmatic Russian center could be finished here less than three years after getting drafted 12^th overall.

Grigorenko’s latest recall lasted one game, Friday’s 3-2 loss in Ottawa. The 20-year-old skated a couple of shifts on the second line before getting demoted to the fourth line. He was sent back down the next morning.

“I didn’t like his play,” ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Matt Hackett could get long look

Matt Hackett could be the Buffalo Sabres’ new starting goalie.

With a lower-body injury putting newcomer Chad Johnson’s season in doubt, the Sabres recalled Hackett from Rochester on Saturday and started him hours later against the Washington Capitals, his second NHL appearance this season.

Hackett must play eight NHL games or he will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Sabres need to evaluate goalies for next season, so he could receive a long ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Matt Hackett, send two players to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled goalie Matt Hackett and sent center Mikhail Grigorenko and goalie Andrey Makarov back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Makarov was summoned Friday after goalie Chad Johnson suffered a lower-body injury in the morning skate. Johnson’s season could be over, Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters.

Goalie Anders Lindback played in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres face the Washington Capitals tonight.

The 25-year-old Hackett, who returned ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson doubtful for Senators; Andrey Makarov recalled

BUFFALO – Forget about goalie Chad Johnson making his Sabres debut tonight against the Ottawa Senators.

The 28-year-old Johnson, acquired from the New York Islanders on Monday, is doubtful for the road game with a lower-body injury, the team announced this afternoon. Johnson skated the past two days.

Goalie Anders Lindback will likely make his second straight start. The Sabres recalled Andrey Makarov from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Update: Coach Ted Nolan told reporters ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson ready for debut, has chance to grab No. 1 job

BUFFALO – Just days ago, fans were calling for Sabres coach Ted Nolan to sit hot starting goalie Michal Neuvirth and give wonky backup Anders Lindback some work.

“Everyone wanted Lindback, Lindback,” Nolan said Thursday inside HarborCenter after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s road game against the Ottawa Senators.

Nolan refused to sit Neuvirth, starting him eight straight games before the Sabres traded him Monday.

“How can you justify, wake up in the morning ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko should get long look

BUFFALO – For once, center Mikhail Grigorenko can relax a little bit. Eighteen games are left in the Sabres’ trying season. The NHL’s weakest lineup needs reinforcements.

Sabres coach Ted Nolan wouldn’t commit to Grigorenko staying for the rest of the year. But the Russian should get a long look after getting recalled from Rochester again Thursday.

This could be Grigorenko’s best opportunity since his rookie season two years ago.

Grigorenko, the 12^th pick ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko ready for fresh opportunity

BUFFALO – For once, center Mikhail Grigorenko can relax a little bit. Eighteen games are left in the Sabres’ trying season. The NHL’s weakest lineup needs reinforcements.

Grigorenko, the 12^th pick in 2012, should get a long look after getting recalled from Rochester again this morning.

The Russian was excited when he saw a white practice jersey hanging in his locker today. That meant he would be centering the second line beside Marcus Foligno ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Phil Varone ready to seize best chance of young career

BUFFALO – Prior to Phil Varone’s 19^th NHL game Tuesday, the Sabres center couldn’t find his No. 84 written on the board with the team’s new line combinations.

The 24-year-old looked again and found it an unexpected spot.

“I didn’t see it at the top,” Varone said Wednesday following practice inside HarborCenter. “It was pretty surreal, obviously. I was in the AHL three weeks ago. It’s just pretty special.”

Yes, Varone, who has three ... Read the full article

Goalie Chad Johnson to make first Sabres start Friday

BUFFALO – Goalie Anders Lindback’s first start with the Sabres, a 32-save effort in Tuesday’s 3-0 loss in Tampa Bay, impressed coach Ted Nolan.

Still, newcomer Chad Johnson will start Friday in Ottawa, his first nod since coming over from the New York Islanders on Monday.

If the 28-year-old plays well, he could start again Saturday in Washington.

“We’ll see how Chad does and go from there,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside HarborCenter.... Read the full article

Sabres trade assets at deadline, weaken NHL’s worst roster

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ deals before Monday’s trade deadline stripped the NHL’s worst team of four assets. Gone are starting goalie Michal Neuvirth, first-line winger Chris Stewart and centers Brian Flynn and Torrey Mitchell, two checkers thrust into bigger roles thanks to the rebuilding team’s shortage of talent.

In return, the Sabres received, well, nothing very notable or of immediate help. Only one NHL player, backup goalie Chad Johnson, came back. They also added four ... Read the full article