WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
The Sabres grabbed Mark Pysyk 23rd overall in 2010. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
NEWARK, N.J. – Since most NHL Entry Drafts don’t start paying dividends for a few years, here’s a look at the Buffalo Sabres’ first-round picks from 2005-10 and some notable hits and misses.
2010
First-round pick: defenseman Mark Pysyk, 23rd overall
After some early struggles in Rochester last season, Pysyk began developing rapidly during his rookie campaign, earning a March recall and a regular spot down the stretch. The smooth 21-year-old could someday be ... Read the full article
Darcy Regier is trying to be realistic about the Sabres landing an early draft pick. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres hold four of the first 52 picks in this month’s deep NHL Entry Draft, including the eighth and 16th selections. They also have starting goalie Ryan Miller and ace scorer Thomas Vanek, two stars with a year left on their contracts, dangling.
Still, despite a slew of assets, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said Thursday securing one of the top three selections – future stars Jonathan Drouin, Seth Jones and ... Read the full article
Kevin Devine has been busy this week at the NHL Scouting Combine. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – If you’re expecting the Buffalo Sabres, a team with a dearth of proven scorers up front, to focus solely on a forward early during the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, think again.
“I think some things have changed,” amateur scouting director Kevin Devine said this afternoon during a break at the NHL Scouting Combine inside the International Centre. “The fact we moved some defenseman (at) the trade deadline, around there, two or three ... Read the full article
Colin Jacobs began playing in the AHL in March. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed forward Colin Jacobs, the 107th overall pick in 2011, to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The 20-year-old compiled 25 goals, 53 points, 98 penalty minutes and a minus-27 rating in 66 games with the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars this season.
The Sabres officially inked Jacobs late tonight, two days before the deadline for signing players drafted in 2011.
Defenseman Alex Lepkowski, a Buffalo native selected ... Read the full article
Clarke MacArthur scored two goals in two games following two healthy scratches. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – This is one of those special stories hockey fans love hearing about and watching this time of year, some of the moments that make the NHL playoffs so fun and memorable.
Consider Clarke MacArthur’s recent exploits.
Following his postseason debut in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal, the Maple Leafs scratched MacArthur twice, no doubt an embarrassing experience for the assistant captain, who played a whopping 403 regular-season games before finally skating ... Read the full article
James Patrick had coached with the Sabres since 2006-07. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have fired assistant coaches James Patrick and Kevyn Adams, according to multiple reports.
It was believed new Sabres coach Ron Rolston, whose interim tag was removed Tuesday, would make some changes to his staff.
The reports state assistant Teppo Numminen will stay on. The status of goalie coach Jim Corsi is unclear.
Other than one year playing in Europe, Patrick has been a Sabres player or coach since 1998-99. The ... Read the full article
Kevyn Adams (left) was a regular assistant coach for Tyler Ennis and the Sabres since 2011-12 ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have fired assistant coaches James Patrick and Kevyn Adams, according to multiple reports.
It was believed new Sabres coach Ron Rolston, whose interim tag was removed Tuesday, would make some changes to his staff.
The reports state assistant Teppo Numminen will stay on.
Other than one year playing in Europe, Patrick has been a Sabres player or coach since 1998-99. The 49-year-old former defenseman, a top aid of former coach Lindy ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston had never coached in the NHL prior to his Feb. 20 promotion. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Hours after Ron Rolston replaced Lindy Ruff on an interim basis Feb. 20, the new Sabres coach walked into a Toronto hotel and addressed a room full of shocked players.
Most veterans knew nothing about Rolston, a college, junior-age and AHL coach for 23 years. The 46-year-old had never spent one day in the NHL.
“You’re always wondering what’s going to happen when he first comes in,” Sabres winger Steve Ott said ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston is the 16th coach in franchise history. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When Darcy Regier promoted Ron Rolston to interim coach Feb. 20, the Sabres general manager originally planned to interview other candidates following the season.
But as the campaign progressed, Regier noticed Rolston’s motivating and teaching talents. That the Sabres finished 12th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs didn’t matter.
Regier wanted Rolston, a noted talent developer, to take over the young, rebuilding club.
He never spoke to anyone else.... Read the full article
Ron Rolston took over on an interim basis Feb. 20. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres today named Ron Rolston, the team’s interim coach since Feb. 20, the 16th coach in franchise history.
The 46-year-old went 15-11-5 after taking over for Lindy Ruff. The Sabres summoned him from Rochester, where he had led the AHL Americans since 2011-12.
Rolston and Sabres general manager Darcy Regier, who said last week he would decide Rolston’s future quickly, plan to address the media at 11 a.m. inside the ... Read the full article