WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Mikhail Grigorenko finished last season in the AHL. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have a slew of shiny new prospects in their arsenal competing for jobs this training camp. No. 2 pick Sam Reinhart’s gunning to make the team out of junior. Rasmus Ristolainen appears to have the inside track for a defense spot.
Meanwhile, Mikhail Grigorenko, the team’s top prospect less than two years ago, has been battling out of the spotlight.
“I can just focus on my game a little bit ... Read the full article
Phil Varone played nine NHL games last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Phil Varone’s nine-game run last season grabbed coach Ted Nolan’s attention. The 5-foot-10 forward played well during his first NHL recall, compiling one goal and two points while taking a regular shift.
But Varone, who will play in today’s preseason opener in Washington, couldn’t convert a slew of scoring opportunities he generated.
“The difference between him and (Martin) St. Louis and players of that caliber who’s a smaller structure, when they have an ... Read the full article
Patrick Kaleta hasn’t played in the NHL in almost a year. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ten months away from the team he loves so dearly changed him. No, Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta hasn’t gone soft. But getting banished to the minors and tearing his ACL allowed the hard-hitting agitator to reflect on a career that derailed in just a few weeks.
“I’m as focused as I’ve ever been in my life, more serious,” Kaleta said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center following his training camp physical. “I’ve always ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart skates last week at the NHL Prospects Tournament. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If you love roster battles, the next three weeks of Sabres training camp should be fun.
About 34 players have a legitimate chance to crack the opening-night lineup. They have a prized prospect, slick center Sam Reinhart, vying for a spot. The starting goalie job is up for grabs. Defense spots are open. Nine or 10 guys will be competing for three fourth-line spots.
Players report for physicals today. The first on-ice session ... Read the full article
Joel Armia rolls in on a breakaway as the New York Rangers’ Troy Donnay (53) gives chase Saturday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
So far, the Sabres are 0-2 in the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Mich., with just two goals scored. They’ve had some chances, though.
Our Dan Hickling captured 2011 first-round selection Joel Armia roaring in on a breakaway in Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. The winger, who’s likely ticketed for Rochester in a few weeks, was stopped.
The Sabres have today off before playing the Dallas Stars on Monday.
Please ... Read the full article
Andre Benoit has played nine professional seasons. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Andre Benoit never stayed on a straight path to the NHL. The Sabres defenseman zigzagged, even backtracked, all across the globe before earning an opportunity.
After two seasons in Montreal’s organization, Benoit bolted for Europe out of frustration over his playing time. When he returned and briefly cracked the NHL with Ottawa, he jetted to Russia to earn more money.
All the while, Benoit, an undersized 5-foot-11, kept posting big offensive numbers. But ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel could be taken No. 2 next year. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel, a slick center many project to be the No. 2 draft pick next year, headlines the 42-man roster USA Hockey released today for the upcoming All-American Prospects Game.
The Sept. 25 tilt at the First Niagara Center features the top U.S. players eligible for the 2015 draft.
Eichel, a Boston University freshman, could be one of the top American prospects ever. He’s expected to be drafted behind center Connor McDavid, whose ... Read the full article
Kevin Devine has been with the Sabres 17 years. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Kevin Devine has been reassigned to director of player personnel, one of several front office changes the Sabres announced today.
Devine served as assistant general manager under former GM Darcy Regier.
In addition, Randy Cunneyworth has been named player development coach. Cunneyworth, Rochester’s former coach, mostly worked in player development with the AHL club last season. Dennis Miller, the old player development coach, is still with the organization, a team spokesman said.
Meanwhile, ... Read the full article
Tim Murray, who’s scouting this week in Lake Placid, hired his own people. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Seven months after becoming Sabres general manager, Tim Murray has put his stamp on the front office, hiring a new assistant GM and two scouting directors.
Mark Jakubowski has been promoted to Murray’s assistant, the team announced Monday. Jakubowski was the assistant to the GM under Darcy Regier, Murray’s predecessor. Rob Murphy has been named scouting director. Greg Royce has been named amateur scouting director. Murray worked with Murphy and Royce with the ... Read the full article
Luke Adam played 12 NHL games last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forward Luke Adam to a one-year, two-way contract, the team announced today.
Adam enjoyed an outstanding AHL season in 2013-14, scoring a team-high 29 goals and adding 49 points in 59 games with the Rochester Americans. He had one goal in 12 NHL appearances.
The 24-year-old provides the Sabres depth.
He has 15 goals and 26 points in 87 games with the Sabres since 2010-11. He had 10 goals ... Read the full article
