Pominville - Buffalo Hockey Beat

New captain Brian Gionta ready to lead Sabres: ‘Everybody’s on board’

BUFFALO – For five years, Josh Gorges watched Brian Gionta closely. Gionta’s Stanley Cup ring offered him instant credibility in the Montreal dressing room. But Gorges quickly learned why Gionta won a championship.

Gorges noticed the professionalism Gionta exhibited, the strong habits that made him a leader and respected captain.

“I’ve said this all along, when you’re a young guy coming into a team … who do you look to in the room and say, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody McCormick thrilled to be back in Buffalo: ‘It’s home’

BUFFALO – As a versatile, smooth-skating forward willing to fight any heavyweight, Cody McCormick had plenty of options as free agency opened. Veterans with the 31-year-old’s talents are coveted, especially with the NHL evolving into a four-line league.

But instead of shopping his services, McCormick told Pat Morris, his agent, to contact one team, the Sabres. He wanted to return to Buffalo, his home.

“Come July 1, we wanted to make sure that that ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres re-sign goalie Matt Hackett

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed goalie Matt Hackett to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,750 in the NHL, according to reports.

The 24-year-old, a restricted free agent, accepted his qualifying offer.

Hackett played eight games with the Sabres late last season, going 1-6-1 with a 3.10 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He was scheduled to undergo surgery after suffering a gruesome knee injury April 12 in Boston. The Sabres haven’t discussed ... Read the full article

Sabres’ 2014-15 schedule features lots of early action, visits from old friends

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ 2014-15 schedule will get busy in a hurry, with the Oct. 9 season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets inside the First Niagara Center starting a stretch of 11 games in 22 days. They then play 14 games in November, their most active month.

Two home games against superstar Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, a Dec. 9 visit from the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings and an April 3 ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Matt Hackett still confident he can grab top job

BUFFALO – Nothing has changed, Matt Hackett said. Forget that he was enduring a terrible season in Rochester before injuries forced his recall. Forget that general manager Tim Murray recently said the Sabres’ goalie of the future likely wasn’t in the organization.

Hackett, a key piece of April’s Jason Pominville trade with the Wild, hasn’t lost much confidence. The 24-year-old still believes he can become the team’s No. 1 netminder, a coveted spot that’s up ... Read the full article

Former Sabres star Thomas Vanek happy to be with Canadiens

BUFFALO – Back in the summer, Thomas Vanek had a simple, straightforward question for the Sabres. The slick winger wanted to know what direction the team was going.

“No one really had an answer,” Vanek said Sunday prior to the Montreal Canadiens’ 2-0 win against Sabres, his first game back here. “That’s when I kind of made up my mind July 1 (unrestricted free agency) was probably a goal of mine.”

The Sabres, of course, ... Read the full article

Goalie Ryan Miller plays well against Penguins, Sabres still lose

PITTSBURGH – Despite one win in 15 starts this trying season, it appeared Buffalo Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth would get Monday’s nod inside the Consol Energy Center.

The backup possesses strong career numbers against the mighty Penguins, who give franchise netminder Ryan Miller fits like no other team.

Besides, the Washington Capitals, a team Miller has dominated lately, are visiting the First Niagara Center tonight.

But Ted Nolan doesn’t care about Miller’s awful numbers against ... Read the full article

Former Sabres disappointment Brad Boyes thriving with Panthers

BUFFALO – Brad Boyes’ comeback generated no interest. The 31-year-old former Sabres winger rejuvenated his career last season beside star John Tavares and Matt Moulson on the New York Islanders’ No. 1 line.

Then, despite compiling 10 goals and 35 points in 48 games, Boyes couldn’t find a team during one of the oddest summers in NHL history.

With the salary cap coming down and rosters packed, plenty of notable veterans experienced similar situations.

“It ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Johan Larsson and Brayden McNabb from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Johan Larsson and defenseman Brayden McNabb from the Rochester Americans.

Injuries to center Ville Leino (lower body) and defenseman Henrik Tallinder (upper body) briefly left the Sabres with no extra players on their road trip. They play Thursday in Minnesota against the Wild.

Larsson has one assist and 18 penalty minutes in 18 NHL games this season. The Sabres sent the 22-year-old to the Amerks following a one-game recall ... Read the full article

Former Sabres captain Jason Pominville on 50-goal pace with Wild

Warning! This might make you cringe, Buffalo Sabres fans.

Jason Pominville scored again in the Minnesota Wild’s 3-2 shootout win Saturday in Carolina, giving the former Sabres captain 11 goals in 18 games.

Nineteen games into the season, the hapless Sabres have 31 goals as a team. Their leading scorer, Cody Hodgson, has five goals and 13 points.

At his current pace, Pominville would score 50 goals. The 30-year-old winger tallied a career-high 34 ... Read the full article