Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Pominville, Vanek proving to be dynamic wing combination

BUFFALO – Early in the second period of the Sabres’ 2-1 win Monday, Thomas Vanek knocked Nikolai Kulemin down in his own zone, grabbed the loose puck and zoomed down the left wing into Toronto territory on a three-on-two break.

Vanek then laid a perfect pass over to Jason Pominville, almost without looking, as he stopped at the top of the left circle. Cody Hodgson, meanwhile, was roaring to the crease with a ... Read the full article

Sabres banking on Tyle Ennis, Cody Hodgson becoming top centers

BUFFALO – The inexperience is their greatest asset and most glaring weakness. It excites and worries Sabres coach Lindy Ruff in the same breath.

His top two centers, Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson, are true neophytes, veterans of just a combined 235 NHL games.

Ennis only began playing center regularly late last year, his second full season. The 23-year-old was dynamic, though, compiling eight goals and 19 points over a 12-game stretch.

Hodgson, meanwhile, ... Read the full article

Former Sabres prospect Kostka finally living NHL dream with Leafs

TORONTO – Mike Kostka was one day away from ditching his NHL dream, all set to take a gig playing overseas.

The 27-year-old Maple Leafs rookie couldn’t find any good work in North America. Despite two solid seasons with the Buffalo Sabres’ top affiliate in Portland, the team hadn’t tendered the defenseman a contract in 2010, making him a free agent.

Then Kostka’s friend, an AHL player named Marco Rosa, stopped over Kostka’s home a ... Read the full article

Top prospect Grigorenko makes 23-man roster; Sabres mum on status for opener

BUFFALO – The Sabres first planted the seeds almost seven months ago inside the Consol Energy Center. Mikhail Grigorenko, the slick center that had just fallen to them 12^th overall at the NHL Entry Draft, would be given every chance to play in the big leagues immediately, they said.

The strong words from the team’s brass that June night in Pittsburgh resonated. The Sabres hadn’t had an 18-year-old play regularly for them since center ... Read the full article

Grigorenko makes Sabres’ 23-man opening-day roster

BUFFALO – Not surprisingly, first-round pick Mikhail Grigorenko made the 23-man regular-season roster the Sabres announced this afternoon.

But will the 18-year-old center be in Sunday afternoon’s opening-day lineup?

“I could’ve stepped up here and asked that question,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff joked as he began fielding questions this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “Mikhail’s had a good week. Obviously, I’m not going to give you that decision right now. We got another practice ... Read the full article

Amerks’ McNabb, Porter earn AHL All-Star nods

BUFFALO – Rochester Americans defenseman Brayden McNabb and captain Kevin Porter were named to the 2013 AHL Western Conference All-Star team on Thursday.

McNabb, a recent healthy scratch, wasn’t invited to NHL training camp despite playing 25 games with the Sabres last season. The 21-year-old prospect has three goals, 19 points and a minus-1 rating in 36 AHL contests.

Meanwhile, Porter, who’s currently on waivers, has 11 goals, 30 points and a plus-4 rating in ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres place Pardy on waivers

BUFFALO – The Sabres waived three players today, most notably defenseman Adam Pardy, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

The team also placed Rochester forwards Kevin Porter and Nick Tarnasky on waivers, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobjiza reported.

Pardy, a possible addition to Rochester despite his $2 million salary, leaves the Sabres with eight defensemen, a number they could carry on their regular-season roster.

The 28-year-old Pardy spoke Sunday about the excitement he experienced... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sulzer hoping to parlay late-season play into regular duty

BUFFALO – When was the last time Alexander Sulzer started an NHL season confident he could be a regular?

“Never, first time,” the Sabres defenseman said Wednesday inside the First Niagara Center.

Having a roster spot isn’t new for Sulzer. He’s spent parts of the past four seasons in the NHL, including the last two from beginning to end. It’s just that he rarely played prior to his Feb. 27 arrival from Vancouver.

From the ... Read the full article

Sabres disappointed to lose Finley on waivers

BUFFALO – The New York Islanders claimed hulking Rochester Americans defenseman Joe Finley, who played five games with the Sabres last season, off waivers Monday.

“Actually, it was disappointing, but I understand it,” Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said Monday inside the First Niagara Center following an intrasquad scrimmage. “(Isles general manager) Garth Snow called me just before waiver time to give me a courtesy call to let me know they were going to take ... Read the full article

Report: Islanders claim Joe Finley off waivers from Sabres

BUFFALO – The New York Islanders claimed Rochester Americans defenseman Joe Finley off waivers today, according to Newsday’s Arthur Staple.

Finley, a training camp invite last season, played five games with the Sabres in 2011-12, compiling 12 penalty minutes and a minus-3 rating.

The 6-foot-8, 249-pound American first earned an AHL contract, then a two-way deal after impressing the Sabres.

Finley’s size earned him a cult following among Sabres and Amerks supporters, with fans ... Read the full article