WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
November Edition
Darcy Regier talks Sunday at the NHL Entry Draft. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For now at least, starting goalie Ryan Miller and slick winger Thomas Vanek, two veteran stars entering the final seasons of their contracts, are still members of the Sabres.
Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said Tuesday he has spoken to the players’ agents and both sides plan to continue chatting.
“As I’ve stated before, it’s incumbent upon me to have a sense of what the marketplace is or re-sign them versus allowing them ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston has been looking for a new assistant coach. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have hired former Colorado Avalanche coach Joe Sacco an assistant, the team announced this afternoon.
General manager Darcy Regier said earlier today Sabres coach Ron Rolston had “zeroed in on a candidate.”
When some outlets began reporting Sacco had been hired, the Sabres officially announced the move.
Sacco coached the Avs for four seasons, going 130-134-30 before getting fired after a 16-25-7 finish in 2012-13. The 44-year-old, a veteran of 738 ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller’s situation remains in the air. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For now at least, starting goalie Ryan Miller and slick winger Thomas Vanek, two veteran stars entering the final seasons of their contracts, are still members of the Sabres.
Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said this morning he has spoken to the players’ agents and both sides plan to continue chatting.
“As I’ve stated before, it’s incumbent upon me to have a sense of what the marketplace is or re-sign them versus allowing ... Read the full article
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
Jhonas Enroth talks about his new contract and his sudden turnaround on Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Trace Jhonas Enroth’s resurgence back to March 7, the goalie’s first start in 30 days and likely his last if he didn’t impress the Sabres that night in New Jersey.
At that point, the backup was reeling, 0-2 on the season and winless in nearly 16 months. The Sabres couldn’t afford to let Enroth keep losing.
“(I knew) it could be my last game,” Enroth acknowledged Thursday inside the First Niagara Center after ... 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
Darcy Regier has assets to trade. ©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 today securing one of the top three selections – future stars Jonathan Drouin, Seth Jones and ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth could compete for the starting job next season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed goalie Jhonas Enroth, who would’ve become a restricted free agent next month, to a two-year contract, the team announced this morning.
The backup would likely have the inside edge for the No. 1 job next season if the Sabres trade starting netminder Ryan Miller this offseason.
After struggling for more than a year, the Swede finished this season strongly, going 4-1-1 with a 1.47 goals-against average, a .956 save ... Read the full article
Terry Pegula rarely speaks about his team. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Terry Pegula has finally spoken again.
In a rare “interview,” the Sabres owner fielded questions on his team’s radio program, “Sabres Hockey Hotline,” this morning, chatting 25 minutes by phone with hosts and team employees Kevin Sylvester and Andrew Peters.
Most notably, Pegula defended general manager Darcy Regier, whose teams have missed the playoffs the last two seasons, asking, “What’s he done wrong?” Pegula said he wants Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek, ... Read the full article
John Scott fought seven times in 2012-13. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Late this season, as John Scott began earning a regular shift beside some proven talent, the tough guy promised he would score his long-awaited second NHL goal.
Alas, despite skating more than 10 minutes some nights, Scott couldn’t net his first Sabres goal.
That elusive tally, Scott said Monday, will come next season.
“Oh, definitely, I’m going to get it,” Scott told the Times Herald by phone after the Sabres re-signed him to ... Read the full article