Ottawa Senators - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Tyler Ennis starting to earn national attention

BUFFALO – Around this city and the Sabres, speedy Tyler Ennis is a star, the most dynamic offensive threat on a low-scoring team. Around the NHL, however, the winger is still a bit of an unknown.

Ennis’ name mostly pops up national circles when he scores a highlight-reel goal.

That could be starting to change.

One goal and five points during the three straight home wins just earned Ennis the NHL’s first star for the ... Read the full article

Flashback: The time Jarkko Ruutu bit Sabres tough guy Andrew Peters

Jarkko Ruutu has retired from his European team, according to Eliteprospects.com, meaning one of the greatest NHL pests of the last 15 or so years is finished. The 39-year-old Finn left the NHL almost four years ago after 652 games and an indelible mark as a supreme agitator.

When Ruutu played for the Ottawa Senators, the Sabres’ opponent tonight, he bit tough guy Andrew Peters’ thumb on Jan. 6, 2009. Yes, bit him.... Read the full article

Sabres could have healthy defense corps tonight

BUFFALO – When the Sabres began their skate this morning, instead of a having a fresh body on the ice up from Rochester, Josh Gorges and Andrej Meszaros, the two defensemen injured Saturday, were practicing fully.

Defenseman Tyson Strachan, out the last four games, was also skating.

Seven defensemen will likely take the warm-up prior to tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center.

The Sabres have some game-time decisions, but no ... Read the full article

Strong, balanced offense has buoyed Sabres during hot streak

BUFFALO – Yes, 30 games into the season, the Sabres still possess the NHL’s worst offense. At their current pace, they would score 142 goals, eight fewer than last year, when they set the NHL’s all-time low mark for a full campaign.

But the Sabres’ offense is no longer feeble. At times, it can even be downright dangerous.

Thirty of the Sabres’ 52 goals have come in the last 12 games, a stretch in which ... Read the full article

Sabres want Canisius product Cory Conacher to help establish new culture

BUFFALO – Cory Conacher woke up early Wednesday morning knowing he’d have a new team by noon. The ensuing hours weren’t easy. The 24-year-old winger said he experienced a mix of excitement and sickness passing through waivers.

Finally, late in the morning, the Canisius College product found out the rebuilding Sabres had claimed him from the Ottawa Senators.

“I’m very excited,” Conacher told the Times Herald by phone Wednesday afternoon. “It was a long 24 ... Read the full article

Canisius product Cory Conacher thrilled to join Sabres

BUFFALO – Cory Conacher woke up early this morning knowing he’d have a new team by noon. The ensuing hours weren’t easy. The 24-year-old winger said he experienced a mix of excitement and sickness passing through waivers.

Finally, late in the morning, the Canisius College product found out the rebuilding Sabres had claimed him from the Ottawa Senators.

“I’m very excited,” Conacher told the Times Herald by phone this afternoon. “It was a long 24 ... Read the full article

Sabres claim Canisius product Cory Conacher off waivers

BUFFALO – Cory Conacher is returning to Buffalo, where he starred at Canisius College for four seasons.

The Sabres claimed the 24-year-old winger off waivers today, a move many expected after the Ottawa Senators waived him Tuesday.

Thanks to their 30^th overall standing, the Sabres had the first claim.

Todd Reynolds, Conacher’s agent, said by phone Tuesday he wouldn’t be surprised if the rebuilding Sabres nabbed him.

Given the connections – Sabres general manager ... Read the full article

Don’t be shocked if Sabres pass on Canisius product Cory Conacher (update: OK, maybe they won’t)

Hey, winger Cory Conacher might fit in pretty well in Buffalo. The 24-year-old Canisius product has four goals and 20 points in 59 games this season. Only five Sabres have more points.

The Ottawa Senators waived Conacher today, immediately igniting speculation the Sabres, who have the first claim thanks to their 30^th overall ranking, would grab him.

On the surface, it seems like a natural fit. Conacher’s the most decorated local NCAA product ever. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno will sit against Senators; GM Tim Murray says it’s not a lock goalie Ryan Miller gets traded

Not surprisingly, the Buffalo Sabres will change up their lineup tonight in Ottawa against the Senators, inserting forwards Zenon Konopka and Ville Leino, healthy scratches the last two games, for Marcus Foligno and Linus Omark.

Foligno, a fourth-liner the last two games, has zero goals in the last six games and just one score in 19 contests.

“He’s a young player,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters today in Ottawa. “He ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson out tonight against Senators

Buffalo Sabres leading scorer Cody Hodgson (lower body) will miss tonight’s game in Ottawa against the Senators, according to multiple reports.

Center Ville Leino, a healthy scratch last game, will return.

Hodgson has been the Sabres’ best offensive threat this season, compiling eight goals and 18 points in 31 games. Center Tyler Ennis, the No. 2 scorer, has six goals and 12 points.

The Sabres have only 49 goals this year.

Hodgson, the ... Read the full article