Nathan Lieuwen will dress tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabres star Thomas Vanek has jitters returning to Buffalo; Michal Neuvirth a ‘little banged up’

BUFFALO – Former Sabres star Thomas Vanek couldn’t quite explain what he felt walking into the First Niagara Center for the first time as an opponent this afternoon.

“It was actually a different feeling, for sure,” said Vanek, now a member of the Montreal Canadiens. “It’s just I can’t explain it. I felt pretty good all day. As soon as I walked in here I started to get a little of the jitter.”

Vanek, an ... Read the full article

The Sabres recalled Nathan Lieuwen today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Nathan Lieuwen nearly lost career to concussions

The Sabres recalled goalie Nathan Lieuwen from Rochester today. What’s the 22-year-old endured to make the NHL?

A lot.

I wrote this in July 2011 just a couple of weeks after the Sabres drafted him.

LEWISTON – Yeah, Nathan Lieuwen thought the worst. The Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect is only human, you know. He knew the two scary concussions that had derailed his promising junior hockey career could potentially force him to retire as teenager.... Read the full article

Nathan Lieuwen stops Zemgus Girgensons during development camp. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall goalie Nathan Lieuwen from Amerks

BUFFALO – In a surprising move, the Sabres today recalled goalie Nathan Lieuwen from Rochester on an emergency basis.

It’s unclear why the Sabres need Lieuwen. Goalie Jhonas Enroth finished Saturday’s 4-1 loss in New York to the Islanders. Michal Neuvirth backed him up.

Lieuwen, the 167th overall pick in 2011, has enjoyed a breakout AHL season with the Americans, wrestling the starting job away from Matt Hackett. The 22-year-old Lieuwen is 17-11-2 ... Read the full article

Cory Conacher was never drafted and played in the ECHL briefly. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Cory Conacher endured long road to reach NHL dream

BUFFALO – There was no straight path to the NHL for Cory Conacher. About 10 years ago, after the AAA Burlington Cougars cut him, the diminutive Sabres winger figured his hockey career was over.

“You always run into a certain coach that just doesn’t like your physical stature,” Conacher recalled Friday, “and that’s kind of I think what happened.”

But the 5-foot-8 Conacher had a chip on his shoulder that would help buoy him ... Read the full article

Rasmus Ristolainen has played 30 AHL games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall rookie Rasmus Ristolainen from Amerks

BUFFALO – With defenseman Alexander Sulzer out, the Sabres today recalled rookie Rasmus Ristolainen from Rochester.

The 19-year-old should play tonight in New York against the Islanders, his first NHL game since Nov. 15.

Ristolainen, the eighth overall pick in June, compiled one goal and four penalty minutes in 19 games after making the Sabres out of training camp. He played one game under interim coach Ted Nolan before the Sabres sent him to the ... Read the full article

Zenon Konopka has a line of wines. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka donating money from wine sales to local charities

BUFFALO – Zenon Konopka has worked with Stop Concussions, former NHL star Keith Primeau’s foundation, for years. So the center wanted to get involved locally after the Sabres claimed him off waivers in January.

The native of nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., said he’s met some unbelievable local doctors “doing some great things with concussions, especially with young kids.”

To help out with concussions and other causes, Konopka, who has a line of wines available at zkwines.com... Read the full article

Nick Petrecki played one NHL game last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Amerks acquire Nick Petrecki on loan from Sharks

With veteran defenseman and captain Drew Bagnall out for the season, the Rochester Americans today acquired Nick Petrecki on loan from the San Jose Sharks.

The 24-year-old Petrecki has one goal, three points and 54 penalty minutes with the AHL Worchester Sharks this season. The defenseman played one NHL game with San Jose last season.

Petrecki, 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, has eight goals, 46 points and 531 penalty minutes in 277 career AHL games. The ... Read the full article

Nicolas Deslauriers played his second NHL game Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Move from defense to wing helped Sabres’ Nicolas Deslauriers earn notice, first NHL recall

BUFFALO – Nicolas Deslauriers started off as a fill-in. The Manchester Monarchs only had two forwards lines early in training camp, so the 23-year-old, one of 10 defensemen on the AHL club, moved up to the wing.

“They put me up front just to basically fill out the spots because there was nobody,” Deslauriers said Sunday prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks inside the First Niagara Center, his second NHL game. ... Read the full article

Cory Conacher made his Sabres debut Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Cory Conacher asked Patrick Kane for permission to wear No. 88

BUFFALO – While the Sabres never told newcomer Cory Conacher he couldn’t wear No. 89 again, the winger passed out of respect for Alexander Mogilny, who scored 76 goals in 1992-93.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to get 76 goals in a year, that’s going to be pretty tough,” Conacher joked Sunday inside the First Niagara Center prior to his Sabres debut, a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Conacher then settled on No. ... Read the full article

Cory Conacher speaks to reporters this morning. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres newcomer Cory Conacher OK’d No. 88 number with Patrick Kane

BUFFALO – Sabres newcomer Cory Conacher said he spoke to a couple of people about choosing a number. The winger wouldn’t wear No. 89 again out of respect for Alexander Mogilny, who scored 76 goals in 1992-93.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to get 76 goals in a year, that’s going to be pretty tough,” Conacher said this morning inside the First Niagara Center prior to his Sabres debut.

Conacher then settled on No. ... Read the full article