Andrej Sekera could play Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Pardy could play Sunday; Sekera getting close

BUFFALO – The Sabres could change their blue line up for Sunday’s tilt in Philadelphia against the Flyers.

Defenseman Adam Pardy, a healthy scratch the past two contests, practiced on a regular pairing this morning inside Riverside Ice Rink. So did Andrej Sekera, at least briefly.

Sekera, who left Thursday’s 3-2 shootout loss in New Jersey and didn’t practice Friday, skated beside Robyn Regehr, his regular partner, until the Sabres began battle drills.

The Slovak ... Read the full article

Ryan Miller had a beef with linesman Scott Miller on Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres jeered throughout ugly loss to Jets

BUFFALO – It was ugly. Testy fans kept booing the Sabres as they trudged toward a sluggish, uninspired 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. They moaned early and often as the Sabres ran around their own zone.

As the final horn signaled the Sabres’ second straight loss and fourth in five games, what remained of the capacity crowd of 19,070 booed them off the ice one more time.

Clearly, the Sabres’ rabid ... Read the full article

Matt Ellis has extensive AHL experience. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ellis clears waivers, will go to Amerks

BUFFALO – Matt Ellis cleared waivers this afternoon, TSN reported.

The forward will report to the Rochester Americans, his first AHL stint since serving as the Portland Pirates’ captain in 2010-11.

The 31-year-old, a veteran of 267 NHL games, played six contests with the Sabres this season and was scratched six times.

The Sabres waived him Sunday to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster.

Ellis has 81 goals and 188 points ... Read the full article

Tyler Ennis stands face-to-face with Brad Marchand on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres give goalie Miller little help, fall to Bruins late

BUFFALO – A night after his dynamic effort stole a victory for his teammates in New York, the Sabres demanded an encore performance from goalie Ryan Miller.

Thirteen games into the season, the Sabres are a gigantic mess defensively, allowing 40 shots some nights and loads of scoring chances.

Miller can only do so much, but he dazzled again Sunday in the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the scorching Boston Bruins, stopping 36 shots before 18,869 ... Read the full article

Robyn Regehr returned Sunday after a seven-game absence. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Grigorenko and Myers sit as Regehr returns; Sabres waive Ellis

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ lineup reshuffling Sunday included rookie Mikhail Grigorenko’s first healthy scratch but still left struggling defenseman Tyler Myers’ watching for a second consecutive night.

Meanwhile, the Sabres waived forward Matt Ellis to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster prior to their 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.

Teams have until noon today to claim the 31-year-old Ellis, a high-energy fourth-liner.

More on Ellis later.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers will be scratched again tonight. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Myers still out as Regehr returns; Ellis on waivers

BUFFALO – Tyler Myers, an NHL-worst minus-9 this season, will sit his second straight game tonight, the struggling defenseman told the Times Herald.

It’s also expected defenseman Robyn Regehr will return tonight inside the First Niagara Center following a seven-game absence (lower body). Rookie T.J. Brennan could sit against the Boston Bruins.

With Regehr on injured reserve and the Sabres at the 23-man roster limit, the Sabres placed Matt Ellis, a healthy scratch recently, ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek’s scoring pace would be high for a normal 82-game season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres can’t rely on Vanek’s sizzling production forever

BUFFALO – Follow Sabres superstar Thomas Vanek’s dynamic run closely. Enjoy watching the nifty goals, the points and knowing each time he steps on the ice something special could happen.

This might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. NHL players just don’t score at Vanek’s torrid pace anymore.

The slick Austrian already has 10 goals and 21 points through 10 appearances, a stat line from eras past. He’s on track for 47 goals and 99 points in ... Read the full article

Christian Ehrhoff returned Thursday following a one-game absence. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ehrhoff’s return pushes Pardy out of Sabres’ lineup

BUFFALO – Going back to the minors was difficult at first, Adam Pardy said. Other than a two-game conditioning stint last season, the Sabres defenseman had spent more than four years in the NHL.

Then the Sabres, who acquired Pardy from Dallas in July, waived the 28-year-old during training camp last month. Numbers kicked Pardy, the ninth defenseman in an eight-man race, back to the AHL.

“It’s something I’ve never went through before,” Pardy said ... Read the full article

Christian Ehrhoff skated this morning. ©2013. Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ehrhoff plans to return tonight

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ banged-up defense corps should be getting their best player back tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.

Christian Ehrhoff, sidelined by a muscle strain Tuesday, skated this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

“I took the whole skate and I’m ready to go tonight,” Ehrhoff said afterward.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wouldn’t pronounce Ehrhoff fully ready yet, however.

“He’s going to take warm-up tonight and we’ll see where he’s at,” Ruff said. “Early ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta was taken to the hospital on a stretcher last week. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Kaleta nearing return following scary neck injury

BUFFALO – If Sabres agitator Patrick Kaleta has his way, he’ll return to the lineup tonight against the Montreal Canadiens

Forget that the winger left the First Niagara Center on a stretcher last Tuesday after injuring his neck and spent the night in the hospital. Forget that he’s only been through one non-contact practice. Forget that coach Lindy Ruff wasn’t sure if the 26-year-old has even been cleared to play yet.

“I’m available whenever ... Read the full article