Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall prospect Joel Armia from Amerks

With injuries ravaging the Buffalo Sabres, the team recalled slick winger Joel Armia from the Rochester Americans today. The 21-year-old prospect will likely make his NHL debut tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.

The Finn, the 16th pick in 2011, has seven goals and 16 points in 21 AHL games this season. The Sabres wanted to recall Armia over the weekend but he had just returned from an upper-body injury. They didn’t want him to ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno out ‘a while’ with apparent hand injury; 10 players injured or sick

The Buffalo Sabres are down 10 players to injuries and illness after losing center Marcus Foligno and captain Brian Gionta in Sunday’s 4-3 overtime loss in Boston.

Foligno apparently hurt his hand fighting the Bruins’ Matt Bartkowski after the defenseman leveled Gionta high during the first period. An upper-body injury will sideline Foligno for “a while,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters in Boston.

“One of those freak accidents that happen when you play,” Nolan ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Mark Pysyk and Tim Schaller from Amerks

BUFFALO – With injuries and illnesses ravaging the Sabres, the team has recalled defenseman Mark Pysyk and center Tim Schaller from Rochester for tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins.

Defenseman Tyler Myers is questionable after suffering a lower-body injury in Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Colorado. Meanwhile, wingers Patrick Kaleta and Matt Moulson are both sick. Kaleta will definitely miss tonight’s game, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

Pysyk has one goal and 10 points in 27 ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Avalanche, Tyler Myers to injury

BUFFALO – Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the Sabres’ second consecutive ugly defeat, also ended their six-game home winning streak. After winning 10 of 13 contests to creep within four points of a playoff spot early last week, the Sabres have been outscored 10-2 in the last two games.

Uh-oh.

To make matters worse, injuries and illnesses are starting to ravage the Sabres. They lost three more players Saturday, including minute-munching defenseman Tyler ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko back from Amerks

BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko knew the Sabres were short one forward and had the Colorado Avalanche, a team led by legendary goalie Patrick Roy, his former junior coach, coming up on the schedule.

Grigorenko, who played in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg before getting returned to Rochester, wanted to get recalled again badly.

“I was hoping I would get called up, especially that game against Colorado against Patrick,” Grigorenko said this morning inside the First ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Mikhail Grigorenko from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled center Mikhail Grigorenko from Rochester this morning.

Grigorenko has played one game in the NHL this season, Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg. The Sabres practiced with only 11 forwards after returning the 20-year-old to the Americans.

The Russian has seven goals and 19 points in 29 games with the AHL club.

The Sabres host the Colorado Avalanche tonight.... Read the full article

Sabres still plan to recall forward; Mike Weber close to playing

BUFFALO – That forward recall should happen before the Sabres host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

“I hope so,” coach Ted Nolan joked after the Sabres practiced today in HarborCenter.

The Sabres have been practicing with only 11 forwards. They sent center Mikhail Grigorenko back to Rochester following Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg.

Update: Grigorenko is back up.

The defense corps, meanwhile, should be getting healthier. Mike Weber practiced today, his first session since recently ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Team impressed with HarborCenter

BUFFALO – Instead of dressing at the First Niagara Center and busing to the Riverside Ice Rink or another local facility Thursday, the Sabres simply put on their sandals or sneakers and walked across the street in their uniforms to HarborCenter, the new $170 million facility that opened earlier this fall.

Practicing outside the First Niagara Center is no longer a hassle. Naturally, the Sabres’ first session inside the sparkling facility had a huge “wow” ... Read the full article

Sabres send Mikhail Grigorenko back to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent center Mikhail Grigorenko back to the Rochester Americans today.

The 20-year-old Russian was pointless in 16 minutes, 42 seconds of ice time in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, his first NHL game since Nov. 27, 2013.

Grigorenko, the No. 12 pick in 2012, has seven goals and 19 points in 27 AHL games this season. The Amerks host the Syracuse Crunch tonight.

The Sabres don’t play until Saturday, ... Read the full article

Change of scenery: Sabres trade Luke Adam to Blue Jackets for Jerry D’Amigo

BUFFALO – As a rookie three years ago, Luke Adam was a top prospect and budding star for the Sabres. The forward quickly became a Calder Trophy candidate, scoring three goals and six points in his first four games.

Adam, who often centered stars Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek, scored his 10^th goal and 20^th point in his 32^nd game in 2011-12.

He never recorded another point that season.

By early that ... Read the full article