Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

With junior season over, Sabres send prospect Mikhail Grigorenko to Amerks

BUFFALO – In a not-so-surprising move, the Sabres today assigned 19-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko to the Rochester Americans.

The Russian’s junior season with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts ended last week, making him eligible to play in the AHL.

Interim coach Ted Nolan hinted Saturday the Sabres would send Grigorenko to the Amerks, where he played two playoff games last season.

Since he had junior eligibility left, the NHL rejected Grigorenko’s AHL conditioning assignment in November. ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Matt Hackett still confident he can grab top job

BUFFALO – Nothing has changed, Matt Hackett said. Forget that he was enduring a terrible season in Rochester before injuries forced his recall. Forget that general manager Tim Murray recently said the Sabres’ goalie of the future likely wasn’t in the organization.

Hackett, a key piece of April’s Jason Pominville trade with the Wild, hasn’t lost much confidence. The 24-year-old still believes he can become the team’s No. 1 netminder, a coveted spot that’s up ... Read the full article

Memories of playing with Dominik Hasek special for Sabres’ Matt Ellis

BUFFALO – One current Sabre, forward Matt Ellis, played with legendary goalie Dominik Hasek, who was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame prior to Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning inside the First Niagara Center.

Ellis played 16 games as a rookie with Detroit in 2006-07, Hasek’s 15^th NHL season. Incredibly, Hasek posted a 2.05 goals-against average and .913 save percentage as 42-year-old that year.

“He was a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino out again tonight; Ted Nolan says contract isn’t done

BUFFALO – What the heck is going on with Sabres forward Ville Leino?

Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said the Finn, who left Thursday’s 6-1 loss in Nashville early after experiencing some lightheadedness, was evaluated and came to this morning’s skate.

“He was doing OK and then just before going on the ice he didn’t feel very well again,” Nolan said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning inside the ... Read the full article

Sabres recall rookies Johan Larsson and Rasmus Ristolainen from Amerks

With winger Torrey Mitchell and defenseman Tyler Myers questionable for Thursday’s game in Nashville, the Buffalo Sabres have recalled rookies Johan Larsson and Rasmus Ristolainen from Rochester, according to WHTK’s Rob Sanderson.

UPDATE: The Sabres have officially recalled Larsson and Ristolainen on an emergency basis.

Both played in the Americans’ 3-1 loss to Milwaukee tonight.

Larsson, and Swedish forward, has 15 goals and 39 points in 45 AHL games and one assist in ... Read the full article

Sabres send rookie Rasmus Ristolainen to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres today sent rookie defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen to Rochester following a five-game recall.

Defensemen Tyler Myers (arm) or Alexander Sulzer (upper body) could be ready to return Tuesday in Montreal.

The 19-year-old Ristolainen compiled zero points and a minus-5 rating during the recall. The Finn has one goal, one point and minus-9 rating in 24 NHL games this season.

Goalie Matt Hackett will start against the Canadiens, interim Sabres coach Ted ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Matt Hackett to start against Oilers

With Matt Hackett starting Thursday against the Oilers, the Buffalo Sabres will use five goalies in a season for the first time since 1995-96.

The Sabres are missing starter Jhonas Enroth (right leg) and backup Michal Neuvirth (lower body).

Neuvirth faced shots during Wednesday’s practice and could be available Sunday in Vancouver, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters in Edmonton.

“He’s doing a lot better right now,” Nolan said.

Rookie Nathan Lieuwen started ... Read the full article

Sabres’ goalie situation unclear with injuries; Rookie Nathan Lieuwen could start against Flames

BUFFALO – A day after his surprising NHL debut, everything had settled down a bit for Sabres rookie Nathan Lieuwen.

Lieuwen said his body felt OK after playing three games in three days, a rarity for a goalie. He even remembered some of the action he faced Sunday. Memories were a blur following his 22-minute, 10-save relief appearance in the Sabres’ 2-0 loss to Montreal.

“I could remember a few more things this ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth feeling better; Nathan Lieuwen staying put

BUFFALO – The good news for the injury-riddled Sabres?

Starting goalie Jhonas Enroth, knocked out of Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Montreal with an apparent right leg injury, could play again this season. The Swede won’t accompany the Sabres on their five-game road trip, however.

“It looks at least a little bit better today than it did yesterday,” interim coach Ted Nolan said today inside the First Niagara Center before the Sabres left for Calgary.

The ... Read the full article

Injury to Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth forces Nathan Lieuwen to make NHL debut in loss to Canadiens

BUFFALO – Fresh off two weekend appearances with Rochester, goalie Nathan Lieuwen learned early Sunday he had earned his first recall to the Sabres.

Newcomer Michal Neuvirth was injured, so the 22-year-old would be backing up Jhonas Enroth inside the First Niagara Center.

“I was shocked. I was nervous. Everything,” a smiling Lieuwen said after stopping all 10 shots he faced in his NHL debut, a 2-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. “I couldn’t stop ... Read the full article