Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall goalie Matt Hackett, send two players to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled goalie Matt Hackett and sent center Mikhail Grigorenko and goalie Andrey Makarov back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Makarov was summoned Friday after goalie Chad Johnson suffered a lower-body injury in the morning skate. Johnson’s season could be over, Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters.

Goalie Anders Lindback played in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres face the Washington Capitals tonight.

The 25-year-old Hackett, who returned ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson doubtful for Senators; Andrey Makarov recalled

BUFFALO – Forget about goalie Chad Johnson making his Sabres debut tonight against the Ottawa Senators.

The 28-year-old Johnson, acquired from the New York Islanders on Monday, is doubtful for the road game with a lower-body injury, the team announced this afternoon. Johnson skated the past two days.

Goalie Anders Lindback will likely make his second straight start. The Sabres recalled Andrey Makarov from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Update: Coach Ted Nolan told reporters ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko should get long look

BUFFALO – For once, center Mikhail Grigorenko can relax a little bit. Eighteen games are left in the Sabres’ trying season. The NHL’s weakest lineup needs reinforcements.

Sabres coach Ted Nolan wouldn’t commit to Grigorenko staying for the rest of the year. But the Russian should get a long look after getting recalled from Rochester again Thursday.

This could be Grigorenko’s best opportunity since his rookie season two years ago.

Grigorenko, the 12^th pick ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko ready for fresh opportunity

BUFFALO – For once, center Mikhail Grigorenko can relax a little bit. Eighteen games are left in the Sabres’ trying season. The NHL’s weakest lineup needs reinforcements.

Grigorenko, the 12^th pick in 2012, should get a long look after getting recalled from Rochester again this morning.

The Russian was excited when he saw a white practice jersey hanging in his locker today. That meant he would be centering the second line beside Marcus Foligno ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Phil Varone ready to seize best chance of young career

BUFFALO – Prior to Phil Varone’s 19^th NHL game Tuesday, the Sabres center couldn’t find his No. 84 written on the board with the team’s new line combinations.

The 24-year-old looked again and found it an unexpected spot.

“I didn’t see it at the top,” Varone said Wednesday following practice inside HarborCenter. “It was pretty surreal, obviously. I was in the AHL three weeks ago. It’s just pretty special.”

Yes, Varone, who has three ... Read the full article

Sabres recall three players from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled forwards Jerry D’Amigo, Mikhail Grigorenko and Tim Schaller from the Rochester Americans this morning to fill out a roster decimated by trades.

The Sabres only need two forwards for tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, so one could sit.

D’Amigo, 24, could make his Sabres debut. The Binghamton native played 22 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, compiling one goal and three points. He has six ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Brian Flynn excited for opportunity with Canadiens

BUFFALO – Less than three years ago, Brian Flynn was an undrafted and mostly unknown youngster at the University of Maine. The versatile forward’s signing with the Sabres barely registered with the fan base.

But Flynn quickly and quietly worked himself into a strong NHL prospect.

After less than a season in Rochester, Flynn debuted with the Sabres in 2012-13. The 26-year-old played regularly until they dealt him to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday for ... Read the full article

Brian Flynn knew Sabres could trade him

BUFFALO – Less than three years ago, Brian Flynn was an undrafted and mostly unknown prospect at the University of Maine. The versatile forward’s signing with the Sabres barely registered with the fan base.

But Flynn quickly and quietly worked himself into a strong NHL prospect.

After less than a season in Rochester, Flynn debuted with the Sabres in 2012-13. The 26-year-old played regularly until they dealt him to the Montreal Canadiens for a fifth-round ... Read the full article

Chris Stewart prepared to leave Sabres at trade deadline

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Chris Stewart will leave town with no regrets, he said. Despite some tough times in Buffalo, he enjoyed playing here.

The Sabres will likely deal the honest veteran today before the 3 p.m. trade deadline, ending his one-year run with the rebuilding club. He’s excited about the fresh opportunity a trade could bring him.

A year ago at the deadline, St. Louis, a team built to win the Stanley Cup, dealt ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mark Pysyk released from hospital, doing well after collapse

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Mark Pysyk was released from the hospital on Saturday after collapsing during a pickup basketball game earlier in the day.

In a short statement, the Rochester Americans said Pysyk “is doing well.” Pysyk has had no known medical issues since the Sabres drafted him 23^rd overall in 2010.

The 23-year-old defenseman dropped to his knees and collapsed Saturday morning, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. A person with ... Read the full article