WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Adam Pardy played four times during his recall. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres sent defenseman Adam Pardy back to the Rochester Americans on Sunday to make room for Jordan Leopold on the 23-man roster.
Leopold was a late scratch for the Sabres’ 3-2 loss in Philadelphia, the 10th straight game he’s missed.
Pardy played four games during his recall, recording zero points and eight penalty minutes. He had been scratched two straight games.... Read the full article
Jochen Hecht was a favorite of former coach Lindy Ruff. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Hours before scratching Jochen Hecht on Thursday, Ron Rolston praised the veteran’s play. Following practice a day later, the Sabres’ interim coach complimented the 35-year-old forward again.
So why did Rolston make Hecht, the Sabres’ longest-tenured player, a healthy scratch for the first time in his 10 seasons here?
“We had a lot of scenarios going on with players,” Rolston explained Friday after the Sabres practiced inside Cazenovia Ice Rink. “We have ... Read the full article
T.J. Brennan has been a healthy scratch frequently this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
In seven NHL games this season, Buffalo Sabres defenseman T.J. Brennan has zero points and 14 shots on goal (how many have missed the net?) while averaging 14:11 on the ice each appearance.
After scoring 14 goals and 35 points in 36 games with Rochester this season, Brennan has underwhelmed mightily.
If the 23-year-old didn’t have to clear waivers, he likely would’ve been returned to the AHL. Instead, rather than risk losing him, the Sabres ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno hasn’t scored since Jan. 27. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It was more of a learning tool than a true benching. When Ron Rolston scratched Marcus Foligno on Thursday, the interim Sabres coach took his surprised rookie aside.
Instead of simply telling Foligno, “You’re not playing tonight,” Rolston analyzed the winger’s play with him.
“He showed me a lot, what I could bring, where my good things I do on the ice and things that I got to start doing,” Foligno said ... Read the full article
Brian Flynn skated 8:50 on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In Brian Flynn’s mind, he “had no business getting drafted.” Getting bypassed during two consecutive NHL Entry Drafts was no slight.
“I wasn’t very good,” the 24-year-old Flynn acknowledged Saturday afternoon prior to making his NHL debut in the Sabres’ 4-3 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils inside the First Niagara Center. “I was undersized. But I think that helped me a lot. Ever since then I’ve gotten better every year.”
Flynn ... Read the full article
Brian Flynn will make his NHL debut this afternoon. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When Thomas Vanek sat out practice as a maintenance day Friday, interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston thought his leading scorer would play today against the New Jersey Devils.
“Coming back this morning, he still was sore,” Rolston said earlier this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.
Vanek (upper body) will sit today, although Rolston believes it’s just a short-term injury. The slick winger could return Sunday in New York versus the Rangers.
Meanwhile, ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston is known for his strong teaching skills. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Twenty-seven years ago, shortly after the junior St. Claire Shores Falcons had lost the national championship in triple overtime in Sioux City, Iowa, Jeff Jackson made a promise to Ron Rolston, his 19-year-old captain.
The coach was moving up from the North American Hockey League to take an assistant gig with Lake Superior State. Meanwhile, Rolston was about to start a three-year NCAA career at Michigan Tech.
“I remember telling him, ‘Someday I’m ... Read the full article
Brian Flynn played collegiately at Maine. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled rookie Brian Flynn from Rochester early tonight, a curious move with 12 forwards believed to be healthy.
Sabres winger Thomas Vanek sat out practice today, although interim coach Ron Rolston said the team’s leading scorer was enjoying a maintenance day.
The 24-year-old Flynn, a college free agent from Maine, has been arguably the Americans’ biggest surprise this season, scoring a team-high 16 goals and 32 points in 45 games.
Flynn, ... Read the full article
Cory Conacher played for the Syracuse Crunch earlier this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Count interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston among those impressed by slick Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Cory Conacher, a Canisius College product.
Rolston watched the 5-foot-8 forward play for the Syracuse Crunch several times earlier this season while coaching the Rochester Americans. Conacher, in Rolston’s mind, showcases a style similar to diminutive Lightning star Martin St. Louis, one of the most prolific scorers in recent history.
“He’s very dynamic, much like St. Louis,” ... Read the full article
Adam Pardy played for the Sabres on Feb. 5. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ injury and on-ice woes could help defenseman Adam Pardy, an NHL regular before numbers kicked him back to the minors this season, carve out a spot on the blue line.
With Jordan Leopold (hand) and Alexander Sulzer (lower body) sidelined, the Sabres on Monday summoned Pardy from Rochester for the second time this season.
He should play tonight in Tampa Bay against the Lightning, the start of a two-game Florida ... Read the full article