Ruff - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Why can’t Sabres’ Gerbe score regularly?

In about 10 minutes during the first period Thursday, diminutive Buffalo Sabres winger Nathan Gerbe scored as many goals as he had in the previous 38 games, a stretch dating back to Feb. 11, 2012.

First, Gerbe opened the scoring 6:30 into the tilt, utilizing an “NHL 94 move” to perfection by stopping in the right circle and cutting sharply before roofing a shot by Florida Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen.

Fresh off his first ... Read the full article

Rolston mentor on Sabres’ new coach: ‘I can assure you that he’s top shelf’

BUFFALO – Back in 1996, Mark Morris wanted to add Ron Rolston to his Clarkson staff badly. The Sabres’ interim coach had just won two national championships as an assistant with Lake Superior State. Morris thought Rolston’s expertise could help his program could get over the hump.

So he hired a 29-year-old Rolston and another Lake Superior assistant, Jim Roque.

“I think the attraction for me was they were working with Jeff Jackson at the ... Read the full article

Rolston’s first Sabres win creates some optimism

Buffalo Sabres fans are understandably a pessimistic bunch these days. No one can blame them, either. Coach Lindy Ruff was just fired. Their $65 million team is parked in 15^th place, a wretched 7-12-1 this season.

So here’s some good news.

Tuesday’s big 2-1 win in Tampa Bay over the Lightning, Ron Rolston’s first as the Sabres’ interim coach, moved the club to within four points of a playoff spot. They stymied the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rolston: ‘It’s going to be a process’ improving

BUFFALO – Rebuilding the bottom-feeding, 15^th-place Sabres back into a strong hockey club could be a long and arduous process following Lindy Ruff’s dismissal as coach last week.

The team’s in shambles, having lost four straight games and six of the last seven. There’s little to like about the Sabres and no quick fix.

They possess no identity.

“I know patience isn’t big with anybody,” interim coach Ron Rolston said Monday inside ... Read the full article

Sabres summon Pardy from Rochester with Sulzer sidelined

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

Ruff will have plenty of options at his disposal

BUFFALO – Give it a week or so, even just a few days. Plenty of NHL teams are struggling right now. Coaches will get axed. You can bet Lindy Ruff’s name will be connected to most vacancies.

Ruff, fired by the Sabres on Wednesday after 15 seasons, wants to coach again, saying Friday, “I got to keep going. I love the game.”

The 53-year-old will get offers soon. Of course, he might want to ... Read the full article

Sabres blink first against Islanders, drop to last in Eastern Conference

BUFFALO – Nothing has changed. The Sabres are still a mess, perhaps the NHL’s worst team. Since firing Lindy Ruff on Wednesday and naming Ron Rolston interim coach, they’ve lost both games and scored one goal.

The disenchanted crowd inside the First Niagara Center booed and moaned Saturday throughout an ugly 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders, just like they did during Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Winnipeg, Ruff’s final game as coach.... Read the full article

Grigorenko plays little in return; Leino feeling better, wants Sabres to have ‘higher demands’

BUFFALO – Sitting out hockey games, watching them in a suit from the press box high above the ice was a new and difficult experience for 18-year-old Sabres rookie Mikhail Grigorenko, a healthy scratch three straight games and four of the last six before returning Saturday.

“I think every hockey player wants to play hockey,” Grigorenko said prior to the Sabres’ 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders inside the First Niagara Center, his first ... Read the full article

Grigorenko set to return; Leino skates, wants Sabres to have ‘higher demands’

The Russian center will finally play again tonight when the Sabres host the New York Islanders, his first appearance under new interim coach Ron Rolston.

“I think every hockey player ... Read the full article

Ruff grateful to Sabres, plans to coach again

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff tried watching the Sabres’ 3-1 loss Thursday in Toronto. He lasted one period. The team’s former coach found the experience “incredibly strange.”

“I turned it off,” Ruff said Friday inside the First Niagara Center, his first comments since the Sabres’ 6-10-1 start led to his dismissal Wednesday after 15 seasons as coach. “It was something I wanted to but I couldn’t.”

Ruff was emotional, thoughtful and even funny while speaking ... Read the full article