WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Nikita Zadorov hurt his finger Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov cut his finger blocking a shot in Friday’s exhibition finale and is out about two weeks, coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon.
“It just kind of smashed it on the tip,” Rolston said inside the First Niagara Center.
The rookie had the injury stitched up, Rolston said.
Zadorov signed a three-year, entry-level contract Wednesday, although general manager Darcy Regier hinted then the Sabres would likely send the youngster back ... Read the full article
Joel Armia played four preseason games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Rookie winger Joel Armia broke his hand in Wednesday’s 3-0 exhibition win and is out indefinitely, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon.
Rolston said a slash from a Columbus Blue Jackets player injured Armia. He doesn’t think the 20-year-old Finn will need surgery, although that hasn’t been determined yet.
Armia impressed Rolston during his first NHL training camp, compiling a goal and three points in four preseason games.
“He was doing a ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov has made three preseason appearances. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The three-year, entry-level contract defenseman Nikita Zadorov signed Wednesday doesn’t affect the 18-year-old’s immediate NHL future, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said.
The team always intended to lock up Zadorov, the 16th overall pick in June, as quickly as possible. It’s only a coincidence the sides reached a deal in the midst of an impressive training camp from the Russian.
“I think if you can deal with it in his first year ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston talks after Wednesday’s win. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Now, in the wake of Sunday’s mega brawl in Toronto and the fine he received, coaches will think about using their enforcers, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
“It’ll definitely be in the mindset,” Rolston, who was fined a reported $10,000 by the NHL for his role, said Wednesday prior to the Sabres’ 3-0 exhibition win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. “They don’t want altercations like that and how it escalated. They are ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston had already put John Scott on the ice Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The NHL has fined Sabres coach Ron Rolston an undisclosed amount for “player selection and team conduct” in Sunday’s brawl in Toronto.
After the Sabres’ Corey Tropp and the Maple Leafs’ Jamie Devane fought 10:01 into the third period, Rolston left John Scott, who had already played 8:37 in the exhibition game, on the ice. The tough guy then went after Leafs star Phil Kessel before the faceoff, igniting a huge melee.... Read the full article
John Scott (32) fights Toronto’s Frazer McLaren on March 21. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Naturally, hulking Sabres tough guy John Scott was a little surprised to see Phil Kessel, one of the NHL’s most talented stars, lining up for a faceoff beside him Sunday in Toronto after the Maple Leafs’ Jamie Devane had just pummeled Corey Tropp in a gruesome scrap.
Watching Devane knockout and bloody Tropp, who gave up five inches to the 6-foot-5 fighter, infuriated the Sabres. Scott, who was already on the ice, figured ... Read the full article
John Scott isn’t afraid to give an honest take. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Naturally, hulking Sabres tough guy John Scott was a little surprised to see Phil Kessel, one of the NHL’s most talented stars, lining up for a faceoff beside him Sunday in Toronto after the Maple Leafs’ Jamie Devane had just pummeled Corey Tropp.
Watching Devane knockout and bloody Tropp, who gave up five inches in the bout, infuriated the Sabres. Scott figured Leafs coach Randy Carlyle would send out some muscle.
Instead, skill ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno has three goals in two preseason outings. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When Marcus Foligno’s dismal, five-goal season ended in April, the 22-year-old could’ve laid the blame on others or taken responsibility, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
“Whether they think it’s me or them, ultimately they got to make that change, and I think he took that ownership on that,” Rolston said Saturday prior to the Sabres’ 3-2 exhibition shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs before a capacity crowd of 19,070 fans inside the ... Read the full article
Johan Larsson scored twice in his third preseason game Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres’ depth down the middle is, well, a bit thin beyond Cody Hodgson.
Consider this: the five other centers coach Ron Rolston has played in the team’s three exhibition contests – Matt Ellis, Mikhail Grigorenko, Johan Larsson, Cody McCormick and Kevin Porter – have combined for 64 goals and 154 points in 816 NHL games.
That’s it.
So what will the Sabres do?
“We’re going to continue ... Read the full article
Andrey Makarov is beginning his first professional season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres trimmed their training camp roster by 15 players today.
The team sent the following players to AHL Rochester: forwards Colin Jacobs, Eric Locke, Johnny McGuire, Jonathan Parker, Kevin Sunder, Shawn Szydlowski and Frederick Roy; defensemen Nick Crawford (pending waivers), Alex Lepkowski and Matt MacKenzie; goalies Connor Knapp, Nathan Lieuwen and Andrey Makarov.
In addition, the Sabres sent defenseman Brady Austin and forward Peter Trainor back to their junior clubs.... Read the full article