Porter - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres assign 3, recall 2 from Amerks, including rookie Mark Pysyk

BUFFALO – The Sabres changed up their roster this morning, sending three players to Rochester and recalling two.

Gone, most surprisingly, is rookie Mark Pysyk, who had played 31 games and was arguably the steadiest defenseman at times. The Sabres also assigned rookie defenseman Brayden McNabb and winger Luke Adam to the Americans.

Veteran forward Kevin Porter and rookie defenseman Chad Ruhwedel have been recalled.

The Sabres host the Winnipeg Jets tonight inside the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ youngsters thriving back in development leagues

Some quick updates on the rookies the Buffalo Sabres’ new regime reassigned to the AHL and junior Nov. 19.

Not surprisingly, the youngsters are thriving outside the NHL. You think these prospects should’ve been sent down earlier?

Johan Larsson, winger, Rochester Americans

The 22-year-old Swede, who had one assist in 17 NHL games, has two goals and seven points in six AHL games as winger beside center Kevin Porter and rookie Joel Armia. ... Read the full article

Kevin Porter clears waivers, assigned to Amerks

BUFFALO – Kevin Porter cleared waivers today and will go to the Rochester Americans, where the center starred last season before the Sabres summoned him in February.

With forward Cody McCormick returning from a two-game absence tonight after blocking a shot last week, the Sabres created room on the 23-man roster by waiving Porter on Thursday.

The 27-year-old was pointless in nine games this season and had been scratched twice.

He captained the Amerks last ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta has suspension appeal denied; Kevin Porter waived

BUFFALO – In a strongly worded 19-page document released Thursday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman rejected Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta’s appeal of his 10-game suspension.

Kaleta, who’s been suspended four times in the last four seasons, including twice in his last 21 games, hit Columbus’ Jack Johnson in the head Oct. 10.

Clearly, Bettman wants to send Kaleta a message.

Kaleta, Bettman wrote, “has demonstrated a total disregard for the safety of other players, and, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ John Scott emotional about head hit, says he belongs in NHL

BUFFALO – Sabres tough guy John Scott acknowledges that, yes, 5:49 into the third period Wednesday, his powerful hit to Loui Eriksson’s head, while not intentional, was illegal.

“It happened pretty fast,” an apologetic Scott said after practicing this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I just thought I was completing a check. But, obviously, I hit his head. It wasn’t exactly what I was aiming for. I didn’t want to do that. It’s ... Read the full article

Former Sabres goalie Martin Biron content with retirement

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

Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov ready for more minutes in second NHL game

BUFFALO – If you enjoyed watching Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov thump opponents during his NHL debut, get ready to see more of the 18-year-old Russian tonight against the gritty Boston Bruins.

Sabres coach Ron Rolston plans to play the 16^th overall pick in June more than the 11:01 he skated in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Colorado.

“Matchup-wise, he’s got size, and he’s physical,” Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He ... Read the full article

Awful first period dooms Sabres in loss to Avalanche

BUFFALO – The buzz began building as Drew Stafford wound up at the left point. A second later, as the winger pumped a slap shot on Colorado goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere 14:09 into the game, the 18,422 fans inside the First Niagara Center roared, almost like the Sabres had scored.

It was, of course, a Bronx cheer – perhaps the loudest you’ll ever hear. The hapless Sabres finally had their first shot.

“That’s a low moment,” ... Read the full article

Sabres’ lineup against Avalanche unclear; Nikita Zadorov could debut

BUFFALO – Since the Sabres had an optional skate this morning, you’ll have to wait until tonight to see their lineup against the upstart Colorado Avalanche.

This much is known: Cody McCormick, who blocked a shot in Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Vancouver, is out. The forward is day-to-day, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.

Winger Zemgus Girgensons, who took a shot off his face Tuesday, will return after a one-game absence. The rookie has ditched ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson doesn’t want to revisit past; Zemgus Girgensons out

BUFFALO – About 16 media members, most of them from Vancouver, surrounded Sabres center Cody Hodgson this morning.

The Canucks, of course, traded Hodgson on Feb. 27, 2012 amid speculation his relationship with the team had soured, he wanted more playing time and his father had become too involved in his hockey affairs.

Naturally, Hodgson didn’t want to talk about any of that.

“I’m happy to be here for the next six years,” Hodgson, who ... Read the full article