WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Post-Deadline Edition
Mark Pysyk played in Rochester on Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Mark Pysyk collapsed this morning during a pickup basketball game with his Rochester teammates and was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital, according the Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobzija.
Update: Pysyk has been released for the hospital and is doing “well,” according to the team.
The paper quoted a person with knowledge of the situation as saying Pysyk “was fairly alert” and “his vital signs were close to normal” on the ... Read the full article
Mark Pysyk played three games this week. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres sent defenseman Mark Pysyk to Rochester on Friday before leaving for this afternoon’s road game against the Florida Panthers, a move that raised a few eyebrows.
The 2010 first-round pick played three games during his recall, skating more than 18 minutes in the last two outings, both wins. He scored the winning goal in Tuesday’s 4-2 win in Columbus.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan has repeatedly said while the decision is out ... Read the full article
Jaromir Jagr (68) nearly scores on Sabres goalie Nathan Lieuwen last season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Count Ted Nolan as a fan of Jaromir Jagr, the legendary 43-year-old winger the Florida Panthers acquired from the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
The ageless Jagr, who has 716 goals and 1,784 points in 1,530 games, should make his Panthers debut Saturday in Florida against the Sabres.
Nolan believes Jagr’s arrival could boost the Panthers’ playoff hopes.
“You see a guy like Jagr, growing up and watching him in his early days, ... Read the full article
Adam Clendening played his first NHL game in Buffalo on Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Adam Clendening’s first experience playing here about 12 years ago is still vivid. The Wheatfield native remembers gazing around and soaking up the atmosphere during a Buffalo Regals youth hockey game hours before the Sabres hit the ice.
“That was definitely pretty surreal,” Clendening said Thursday prior to the Vancouver Canucks’ 6-3 loss to the Sabres, his first NHL game at the First Niagara Center.
Clendening used to be the little kid on ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons blocked a shot Tuesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Top Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons, who blocked a shot with his right ankle Tuesday, will play again this season, coach Ted Nolan said this morning.
Nolan hinted Girgensons could be finished after James Wisniewski’s shot hit the Latvian halfway through the 4-2 win in Columbus.
“It’s bad but not as bad as we thought,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center.
Nolan wouldn’t say if Girgensons’ ankle was broken.
“It could be, ... Read the full article
Alex Biega made his NHL debut Feb. 16. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Alex Biega had finally cracked an NHL roster. For 10 days in December, the defenseman earned a fatter paycheck and practiced with the Vancouver Canucks.
But, oddly enough, the 26-year-old former Sabres prospect never played. He got tantalizingly close to game action once, dressing for the pregame warm-up.
“It wasn’t frustrating, but I guess I was antsy just to get in,” Biega said by phone Wednesday after the Canucks landed in Buffalo. “I ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe played twice this week. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres sent defenseman Jake McCabe to the Rochester Americans this afternoon, meaning Nikita Zadorov will likely return from a two-game benching Thursday.
McCabe played twice during his first NHL recall this season. The Amerks host Syracuse tonight.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan sat Zadorov because the 19-year-old was late to a team meeting Sunday morning. The Sabres host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
Update: The NHL has fined Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov will likely sit out tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Each time Nikita Zadorov violates a team rule, it’s important to remember the Sabres defenseman wasn’t drafted by Tim Murray. The gruff general manager isn’t tied to the Russian.
Sure, Zadorov, the 16th pick in 2013, is an elite prospect. At just 19 years old, he’s already a big contributor to the Sabres. Zadorov recently compiled seven points in seven games. The Sabres scored only 16 times in that stretch. He could ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe made his NHL season debut Sunday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ted Nolan offered no details about Nikita Zadorov’s benching Sunday, only saying the defenseman was getting scratched for violating team rules, another episode in the 19-year-old’s turbulent rookie season.
“We had a number of discussions, and another thing happened this morning,” Nolan said prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll talk to him again.”
The Sabres needed Zadorov badly against the ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov was suspended last month. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov will be scratched for tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators for “team reasons,” coach Ted Nolan said this morning.
The 19-year-old Zadorov, whose maturity has been a problem all season, was suspended last month after his flight back to Buffalo following the NHL All-Star break was oversold.
“It’s just part of the growing process,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll just have to deal with him. ... Read the full article