Ted Nolan wants head hits out of the game. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres upset about Zac Rinaldo’s suspension, plan to be ‘vocal on this one’

BUFFALO – About three games ago, Sabres general manager Tim Murray told coach Ted Nolan to tell him everything that was happening.

“Because we’re going to complain about it,” Murray said.

The Sabres are clearly angry Flyers agitator Zac Rinaldo only received a four-game suspension for elbowing defenseman Chad Ruhwedel in the head late in Sunday’s 5-2 loss in Philadelphia.

Ruhwedel is home recovering from a concussion. Rinaldo, meanwhile, can play again next week.

Nolan ... Read the full article

Andrey Makarov will play behind Matt Hackett tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall Andrey Makarov, Mark Pysyk from Amerks

BUFFALO – With goalie Nathan Lieuwen sidelined by a concussion, the Sabres recalled rookie Andrey Makarov from Rochester this morning.

The team also summoned defenseman Mark Pysyk to replace the concussed Chad Ruhwedel and sent winger Luke Adam back to the Americans.

The 20-year-old Makarov has never played in the NHL and only recently earned a promotion to the Amerks.

Still, Makarov has played well in the AHL, going 3-3 with a 2.70 goals-against ... Read the full article

Marcus Foligno skates Monday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Injury-plagued Sabres could get 3 players back against Red Wings

BUFFALO – There is some good news for the reeling, injury-ravaged Sabres. They could have three players back tonight against the Detroit Red Wings. Of course, 13 – yes, a stunning 13 – are hurt right now.

Incredibly, the NHL’s worst team lost three more players in the third period of Sunday’s disastrous 5-2 loss in Philadelphia.

Goalie Nathan Lieuwen, who has a disturbing history of concussions, suffered another one, coach Ted ... Read the full article

Goalie Nathan Lieuwen has a history of concussions. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Injuries still ravaging Sabres; Goalie Nathan Lieuwen out with concussion

BUFFALO – There is some good news. The Sabres could have three injured players back Tuesday against Detroit. Of course, 13 players – yes, a stunning 13 – are hurt right now.

Incredibly, the Sabres suffered three more injuries in the third period of Sunday’s 5-2 loss in Philadelphia.

– Goalie Nathan Lieuwen, who has a disturbing history of concussions, suffered another one, coach Ted Nolan said. Philadelphia’s Jay Rosehill possibly hit the rookie ... Read the full article

Chad Ruhwedel left Sunday’s loss. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Chad Ruhwedel out with concussion after elbow to head

Sabres defenseman Chad Ruhwedel suffered a concussion when Flyers agitator Zac Rinaldo elbowed him in the head 4:29 into the third period Sunday, Buffalo coach Ted Nolan said.

“Those are tough hits that we have to get rid of,” Nolan told reporters in Philadelphia following the Sabres’ 5-2 loss. “Those are not only dangerous hits, but it’s a putting a fellow player in jeopardy of his career.”

He added: “It’s just a dirty hit, and ... Read the full article

Luke Adam has one goal in 10 NHL games this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall Luke Adam from Amerks on emergency basis

With winger Marcus Foligno out for the season, the Buffalo Sabres today recalled Luke Adam from the Rochester Americans on an emergency basis.

The Sabres play tonight in Detroit against the Red Wings.

This is Adam’s third recall this season. The 23-year-old has one goal and one point in 10 NHL games.

Adam has 27 goals and 47 points in 63 AHL games.

The injury-ravaged Sabres are down 10 players.

Update: In a paper move ... Read the full article

Marcus Foligno (82) battles Tampa Bay’s Sami Salo. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno likely done for season

Buffalo Sabres winger Marcus Foligno will likely miss the final six games of the season after his right leg buckled early in Thursday’s 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

The injury 1:58 into the game looked gruesome – Foligno got tangled with St. Louis’ Roman Polak, causing his leg to bend awkwardly as he fell – but Sabres coach Ted Nolan said it wasn’t as bad as it appeared.

“But he’s going to be ... Read the full article

Ville Leino fires his shootout-clinching goal past New Jersey goalie Cory Schneider on Tuesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Unlikely heroics from Ville Leino and Nathan Lieuwen lift Sabres to shootout win against Devils

BUFFALO – Nine rounds into Tuesday’s shootout, Sabres coach Ted Nolan turned to John Scott on the bench.

“Watch the crowd go crazy on this one,” Nolan told the winger after sending out Ville Leino, the fans’ No. 1 whipping boy, with a chance to win the game.

Sure enough, instead of booing Leino, who has zero goals in 53 games this season, the capacity crowd of 19,070 fans inside the First Niagara Center ... Read the full article

Cody Hodgson had played center his entire career. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson happy with move to wing

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan doesn’t want to project his lineup too far into the future. But the Sabres coach said he must evaluate his top six forwards these last two weeks so they receive enough ice time next season.

If Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons are his top centers, where does that leave Cody Hodgson?

For the time being, on the left wing, a position Hodgson had played once in his career before ... Read the full article

Justin Kea will likely go to the AHL soon. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres sign Justin Kea to entry-level deal, reportedly close to inking Jake McCabe

BUFFALO – The Sabres today signed forward Justin Kea to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Kea, the 73rd overall pick in 2012, compiled 51 goals and 117 points in 253 games over four seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit. The 20-year-old had a career-high 22 goals, 49 points and plus-14 rating in 58 games this season.

Kea, 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, is expected to report to AHL Rochester soon on an amateur tryout ... Read the full article