WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
March Edition
Justin Kea and Anthony Florentino fight Tuesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Early in Tuesday’s Blue-White Sabres scrimmage, defenseman Anthony Florentino, who has a penchant for hitting, leveled forward Justin Kea inside the First Niagara Center.
In the second period, the prospects fought.
“Everybody’s got their niche in the game,” Rochester coach Chadd Cassidy, who’s running the camp, said about the fight. “They got to find a way to kind of get noticed. I think if there’s one thing we’ve preached to the guys, ... Read the full article
Chad Ruhwedel has played 28 NHL games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a two-year contract, leaving center Tyler Ennis as the club’s lone notable restricted free agent.
Ruhwedel had one assist in 21 NHL games last season. The 24-year-old four goals and 28 points in 47 games with Rochester.
The San Diego native has played 28 NHL contests. The Sabres signed him as a free agent after three NCAA seasons at the University of UMass Lowell.... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko keeps the puck away from Jake McCabe during Tuesday’s scrimmage. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The comments are significant, Mikhail Grigorenko’s most telling since joining the Sabres months after they selected him 12th overall in 2012.
In a hallway outside the First Niagara Center dressing room hours before a development camp scrimmage Tuesday, the 20-year-old Russian spoke candidly about his short career, blaming himself for his NHL struggles.
“From past experiences, I kind of realized it was probably no one’s fault but mine I didn’t stay in ... Read the full article
Jordan Samuels-Thomas was drafted by Atlanta. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As a seventh-round pick, Jordan Samuels-Thomas faced some long odds to earn an NHL contract. But the 6-foot-4, 220-pound winger possesses size, a precious commodity in today’s game.
The Sabres have made it no secret they covet “heavy,” hard-to-play-against talent for their rebuild. So they shipped a 2015 seventh-rounder to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday for Samuels-Thomas’ rights.
They signed the Connecticut native to a one-year, two-way contract Saturday.
“I was ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons spent all last season with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Some experts are already predicting the Sabres, a team three months removed from the worst NHL season in recent memory, will be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders in a few years.
Why? Their prospect pool might be the deepest in hockey.
Seven first-round picks are participating in the team’s development camp this week. Seven of the 41 prospects played in the NHL last season, including center Zemgus Girgensons, who spent the entire campaign ... Read the full article
Jordan Samuels-Thomas played four NCAA seasons. ©2014, Quinnipiac Athletics
BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed winger Jordan Samuels-Thomas to a one-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.
They sent a 2015 seventh-round pick to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday for the 24-year-old’s rights.
Samuels-Thomas, the 203rd overall pick by the Winnipeg franchise in 2009, compiled 50 goals, 104 points and 162 penalty minutes in 138 NCAA games over four seasons with Quinnipiac University and Bowling Green State University. He played two seasons with ... Read the full article
Jordan Samuels-Thomas had 50 goals in his NCAA career. ©2014, Quinnipiac Athletics
BUFFALO – At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, new Sabres prospect Jordan Samuels-Thomas possesses a chiseled body ready for the pro game.
“He’s a man,” Rand Pecknold, Samuels’ coach at Quinnipiac University, said by phone this morning. “He’s as good of an athlete and (in) as good a physical shape as anyone in Buffalo’s organization. He’s phenomenal.”
That imposing frame will help the 24-year-old winger, who compiled 50 goals and 104 points over four NCAA seasons, ... Read the full article
Sabres general manager Tim Murray made a minor trade tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have acquired winger Jordan Samuels-Thomas from the Winnipeg Jets for a conditional seven-round draft pick in 2015, the club announced tonight.
Samuels-Thomas, the 203rd overall pick by the Winnipeg franchise in 2009, compiled 50 goals, 104 points and 162 penalty minutes in 138 NCAA games over four seasons with Quinnipiac University and Bowling Green State University. He played two seasons with each school.
The 24-year-old, a native of West Hartford, ... Read the full article
Matt Hackett hurt his knee last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed goalie Matt Hackett to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,750 in the NHL, according to reports.
The 24-year-old, a restricted free agent, accepted his qualifying offer.
Hackett played eight games with the Sabres late last season, going 1-6-1 with a 3.10 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. He was scheduled to undergo surgery after suffering a gruesome knee injury April 12 in Boston. The Sabres haven’t discussed ... Read the full article
Tyson Strachan has played 138 NHL games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres added depth today, signing defenseman Tyson Strachan to a one-year, two-way contract. The 29-year-old’s likely ticketed for the AHL Rochester Americans next season.
Strachan, the 137th pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2003, has played 138 NHL games, compiling one goal, 15 points and 155 penalty minutes. He split last season between the Hershey Bears and Washington Capitals, making 18 NHL appearances. He played a career-high 38 games with the ... Read the full article