WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Patrick Kaleta tore his ACL in Rochester last season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Finally, 33 games into his season, Patrick Kaleta is buzzing around the ice regularly looking to thump opponents, a sign the aggressive Sabres winger has recovered from a torn ACL.
“It looks like he got his legs underneath him,” coach Ted Nolan said Tuesday prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s searching for those big hits. You can just tell … his timing’s getting ... Read the full article
Chris Stewart has been the Sabres’ best forward recently. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan’s response raised some eyebrows. Coaches, after all, rarely acknowledge they have players who are ready to leave town.
But Tuesday in Montreal, hours before the Sabres’ 3-2 win ended their 14-game losing streak, Nolan, whose rebuilding club will likely be selling off assets soon, went a step further.
“We got some guys who could be very beneficial to some playoff teams,” Nolan replied when asked if coaching could be tougher because ... Read the full article
Matt Hackett played one game during his recall. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres sent goalie Matt Hackett back to the Rochester Americans today, meaning Michal Neuvirth has likely healed from the lower-body injury he sustained working out during the NHL All-Star break late last month.
Hackett played one game, Friday’s 5-2 loss in Vancouver, making 33 saves. He recently returned to game action in the AHL after tearing up his right knee late last season.... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov (51) will join the Sabres in Calgary. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When the Sabres began their first post-NHL All-Star break practice Monday afternoon, Nikita Zadorov was absent.
Where was the 19-year-old defenseman? Apparently, stuck in the Dominican Republic.
The Sabres announced at 2:41 p.m. Monday they had suspended Zadorov after he failed to report back to the team on time following the break.
“What can you do?” coach Ted Nolan said after the Sabres practiced without Zadorov inside HarborCenter. “The travel conditions sometimes get ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov sat much of October. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres suspended Nikita Zadorov today after the 19-year-old defenseman failed to report back to the team on time following the NHL All-Star break.
“What can you do?” coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon after the Sabres practiced without Zadorov inside HarborCenter. “The travel conditions sometimes get in the way. That’s how it is.”
In a statement, general manager Tim Murray said Zadorov would join the team on its trip out west. Nolan ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov was late reporting back to the Sabres. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres suspended Nikita Zadorov today after the 19-year-old defenseman failed to report back to the team on time following the NHL All-Star break.
Zadorov isn’t on the ice this afternoon practicing at HarborCenter.
“We anticipate Nikita joining the team at some point during this week’s western road trip,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement.
In other news, the Sabres have recalled goalie Matt Hackett from Rochester because Michal Neuvirth ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis played four games during his recall. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres sent centers Matt Ellis and Phil Varone back to Rochester this morning.
Ellis was pointless in his first four NHL games this season. Varone, meanwhile, had two goals and two points in seven games.
Both are alternate captains for the AHL Americans.
In other news, Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko has been named AHL Player of the Week after scoring three goals and seven points in three games, helping the Amerks rally ... Read the full article
Phil Varone only played sparingly Saturday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a deep rebuild, with losses and injuries piling up, plenty of jobs on the Sabres are still available.
Heck, the Sabres have had openings throughout the lineup for two years. Sooner or later, someone – a top prospect, an unknown youngster, a waiver acquisition or a depth veteran – has to step up and grab one, right?
Sabres coach Ted Nolan wants the newcomers do something different, stand out and make a ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek scored his eighth goal Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Call it hockey’s worst-kept secret.
Of course, Thomas Vanek couldn’t say anything as he bounced from team to team last season. But the former Sabres star confirmed the suspicions when free agency opened July 1, signing a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Minnesota Wild.
Vanek, a Minnesota resident and Golden Gophers college hero, wanted to return home.
“Honestly, every time I went out somewhere and got recognized, that was one of the ... Read the full article
Dominik Hasek (right) is greeted by Rene Robert (14) and Danny Gare (18) prior to having his number retired Tuesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Goalie Dominik Hasek had never picked his own number before the Sabres acquired him in 1992.
Back home in the Czech Republic, he was given No. 9 as a 16-year-old when a player got sick. When he came to North America in 1990, the Chicago Blackhawks gave him Nos. 31 and 34.
So shortly after he arrived, Hasek was shocked when equipment manager Rip Simonick approached him at a late-summer workout at Sabreland ... Read the full article
