Pysyk - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres rookie Mark Pysyk to sit tonight for healthy Henrik Tallinder

BUFFALO – Sabres defensemen Mark Pysyk isn’t getting scratched for poor play, Ted Nolan said. The interim coach just wants the rookie to rest a bit 45 games into his season.

Veteran defenseman Henrik Tallinder’s set to return from a hand injury tonight against the Florida Panthers. Sitting the 22-year-old Pysyk makes the most sense.

“It’s not his play,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s been playing pretty well lately. It’s ... Read the full article

Sabres fondly recall world junior championship memories

TORONTO – Five years ago, Buffalo Sabres center Tyler Ennis figured he had a good chance to earn a coveted spot on Team Canada’s world junior championship squad.

The 24-year-old was one of his country’s most electrifying junior talents, a first-round draft pick in the midst of a dynamic 43-goal, 85-point season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He felt he had enjoyed a strong training camp.

But, Ennis said, “Anything can happen.” Canada always has ... Read the full article

Crazy goal clinches Sabres’ exciting OT triumph against Coyotes

BUFFALO – No one could recall seeing a goal quite like Mark Pysyk’s wild overtime winner Monday, a score that will undoubtedly become a highlight-reel staple and earn the Sabres rookie some notoriety.

What are the odds the puck gets stuck in the goalie’s pants and he slides into the net with it?

“Nope, haven’t seen that before,” a surly Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith said after the undermanned Sabres’ exciting 2-1 triumph before an ... Read the full article

Flu bug forces the Sabres to play short-handed, utilize tough guy John Scott

BUFFALO – Good thing the NHL’s three-day Christmas break begins today. A flu bug ravaging through the Sabres forced them to dress only 16 skaters for Monday’s 2-1 overtime win against the Phoenix Coyotes inside the First Niagara Center.

The Sabres scratched forwards Marcus Foligno, Ville Leino and Linus Omark and defenseman Alexander Sulzer, all of whom played Saturday.

With just 10 forwards available, interim coach Ted Nolan switched tough guy John Scott, a winger ... Read the full article

Several Sabres under weather prior to game against Coyotes

BUFFALO – The flu bug is going around the Sabres, so several players couldn’t even get to the rink this morning, interim coach Ted Nolan said.

It’s unclear what the lineup will look like tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes inside the First Niagara Center.

“We’re hoping that they’re ready to go,” Nolan said. “Four or five called in this morning and said they couldn’t make it out of bed. So we’re hoping by game time ... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk not playing in Spengler Cup with Amerks

BUFFALO – OK, so defenseman Mark Pysyk won’t be accompanying the Rochester Americans to Switzerland for the Spengler Cup next week.

“He’ll be back when they leave,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

The Amerks leave Monday.

Nolan said Tuesday that Pysyk’s AHL assignment would be brief, although his words made it sound like the 21-year-old, an NHL regular all season, would be playing in the overseas tournament.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ted Nolan says Mark Pysyk’s stay with Amerks will be short

BUFFALO – Mark Pysyk’s assignment to Rochester won’t last long, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. The rookie defenseman will be back after the Americans participate in the upcoming Spengler Cup tournament in Switzerland.

Nolan said the steady Pysyk, one of the Sabres’ few bright spots this season, is capable of playing in the NHL right now.

“But is he at the mature level we think he can be? Not yet,” Nolan said Tuesday ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan says Mark Pysyk will be back with Sabres soon

Nolan said the solid Pysyk, one of the Sabres’ few bright spots this season, is capable of playing in the NHL right now.

“But is he at the mature level we think he can be? Not yet,” Nolan said this ... Read the full article

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

Ted Nolan still evaluating Sabres’ defense corps

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan wants healthy competition between his defensemen. So with seven or eight at his disposal, the interim Sabres coach plans to keep tinkering until he finds the six he can play regularly.

Nolan hasn’t stopped evaluating a month into his tenure. That’s one reason Mark Pysyk, one of the NHL’s better rookie defenders, was scratched Saturday.

“Sometimes you like to take them out whenever they play a great game versus a ... Read the full article