Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Mark Pysyk has opportunity to stay with Sabres

BUFFALO – This time, Mark Pysyk could stay in the NHL for good.

Of course, some thought the Sabres defenseman had secured regular duty last season. The steady 22-year-old was often the only bright spot on a dreadful team, skating 20 minutes some nights.

But 42 games into Pysyk’s season, the Sabres sent the prospect back to Rochester. Pysyk possessed the mental skills for the NHL then, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said, but he needed ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta explains how he punched himself in head

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta said he had no clue he punched himself in the head Monday during his ferocious fight with Ottawa’s Jared Cowen until someone informed him.

Kaleta’s cool with his unusual move, though.

“Hey, if that’s what it takes to win a fight, then that’s what happens,” he said today after the Sabres practiced in HarborCenter.

Naturally, friends have been sending Kaleta the video. What happened? How does a veteran who ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres waive goalie Matt Hackett

BUFFALO – The Sabres waived Matt Hackett today, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, meaning the goalie will likely start playing again soon in Rochester.

Hackett has been rehabbing with the Sabres all season after suffering a gruesome knee injury April 12 in Boston when the Bruins’ Torey Krug landed on his right leg. He underwent reconstructive surgery in May.

The 24-year-old played eight games with the Sabres late last season, going 1-6-1 with a 3.10 ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth becoming unbeatable in shootouts

BUFFALO – As John Tavares stickhandled toward the net, making move after move, Jhonas Enroth barely budged in his crease. When the slick New York Islanders superstar finally shot the puck, the composed goalie stuck his right pad out, securing the Sabres’ 4-3 come-from-behind shootout win Saturday.

“You look at Jhonas and how he handled it, he wasn’t even bothered by it,” Sabres defenseman Mike Weber said Sunday inside the First Niagara Center. “A lot ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Mark Pysyk; Tyson Strachan nearing return

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from the First Niagara Center, where the Sabres just practiced 40 minutes before their flight to Ottawa for Monday’s tilt against the Senators.

The Sabres skated without defensemen Andrej Meszaros (maintenance day) and Rasmus Ristolainen (flu). They have reinforcements for the blue line, however. Fresh off of a two-game recall last week, Mark Pysyk has been summoned again from Rochester.

“I’m very comfortable with him,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson ignited career beside Islanders’ John Tavares

BUFFALO – Five years ago, Matt Moulson, then a struggling winger on a two-way contract with the New York Islanders, was paired up with slick center John Tavares, the No. 1 pick months earlier.

The two immediately showcased dynamic chemistry together, becoming arguably the NHL’s best duo.

Moulson, now one of the Sabres’ top scorers, compiled seasons of 30, 31, 36 and 15 goals (in 48 games) with Tavares feeding him the puck.

How ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Mikhail Grigorenko from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled center Mikhail Grigorenko from Rochester this afternoon.

With only 11 healthy forwards, the Sabres needed to summon someone to play tonight against the New York Islanders. Grigorenko, who was assigned to the AHL on Wednesday, appeared to be the likely candidate.

The 20-year-old Russian just averaged 15 minutes, 42 seconds of ice time in four games with the Sabres, compiling one assist. He has seven goals and 22 points in ... Read the full article

Sabres send 4 youngsters to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent forwards Joel Armia, Mikhail Grigorenko and Tim Schaller and defenseman Mark Pysyk back to the Rochester Americans today.

All four played in Tuesday’s 6-3 loss in Detroit. The Sabres are off until Saturday, when they host the New York Islanders.

By then, some of the eight Sabres who are injured or sick could be ready to play. Defenseman Mike Weber (knee) will likely return from a short absence, Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect Joel Armia from Amerks

With injuries ravaging the Buffalo Sabres, the team recalled slick winger Joel Armia from the Rochester Americans today. The 21-year-old prospect will likely make his NHL debut tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.

The Finn, the 16th pick in 2011, has seven goals and 16 points in 21 AHL games this season. The Sabres wanted to recall Armia over the weekend but he had just returned from an upper-body injury. They didn’t want him to ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno out ‘a while’ with apparent hand injury; 10 players injured or sick

The Buffalo Sabres are down 10 players to injuries and illness after losing center Marcus Foligno and captain Brian Gionta in Sunday’s 4-3 overtime loss in Boston.

Foligno apparently hurt his hand fighting the Bruins’ Matt Bartkowski after the defenseman leveled Gionta high during the first period. An upper-body injury will sideline Foligno for “a while,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters in Boston.

“One of those freak accidents that happen when you play,” Nolan ... Read the full article