WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
2026-27 Season Edition
The Sabres traded Thomas Vanek on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Some interesting new details have emerged about Sunday’s big swap, which sent Sabres co-captain and top scorer Thomas Vanek to the New York Islanders.
The Sabres retained 19.5 percent of Vanek’s $6.5 million salary in the trade, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston. They also kept the same portion of his salary cap hit.
Perhaps that’s why the Isles, who sent high-scoring winger Matt Moulson to the Sabres, also parted with a ... Read the full article
Two Sabres fans show their appreciation to Lindy Ruff on Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Eight hours before his Sabres debut, high-scoring winger Matt Moulson joked he wanted Lindy Ruff’s return to the First Niagara Center as the Dallas Stars’ coach to overshadow his night.
Moulson wasn’t letting on Monday morning, but the 29-year-old, having just been acquired Sunday with draft picks from the New York Islanders for star co-captain Thomas Vanek, was incredibly nervous.
“I’m not going to lie, that was probably the most nervous I’ve been ... Read the full article
Matt Moulson scored twice in his Sabres debut. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Having grown up in nearby Mississauga, Ont., about a 90-minute drive, Sabres winger Matt Moulson said he’s well-acquainted with his new city.
“I used to love coming to Bills games,” Moulson said Monday inside the First Niagara Center prior to scoring twice in his Buffalo debut, a 4-3 loss to former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff and the Dallas Stars. “So it’s a great city. Who knows, it could be for a long time. ... Read the full article
Matt Moulson skates this morning with his new teammates. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Having grown up in nearby Mississauga, Ont., about a 90-minute drive, Sabres winger Matt Moulson said he’s well-acquainted with his new city.
“I used to love coming to Bills games,” Moulson said this morning inside the First Niagara Center, less than a day after being acquired with two high draft picks from the New York Islanders for co-captain Thomas Vanek. “So it’s a great city. Who knows, it could be for a long ... Read the full article
Coach Lindy Ruff leads Dallas’ morning skate. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff still catches himself.
At times, the Dallas Stars’ coach still refers to the Sabres, the team he coached for 15 seasons, as “we.”
“I’ve slipped up the odd time with that one,” Ruff, whose Stars face the Sabres tonight, said this afternoon inside the First Niagara, his first visit back since his Feb. 20 dismissal.
Other times, Ruff will thumb to the Sabres’ statistics page instead of Dallas’.
Breaking old ... Read the full article
The Sabres selected Thomas Vanek fifth overall in 2003. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In the short-term, the hapless Sabres are no better after dealing co-captain and top scorer Thomas Vanek to the New York Islanders late Sunday for 30-goal winger Matt Moulson and a first-round pick in 2014 and second-round selection in 2015, general manager Darcy Regier said.
But the shocking trade, which Regier worked on with counterpart Garth Snow “off and on for a while,” wasn’t about improving the 2-10-1 club immediately.
“This is more ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff coached the Sabres 15 seasons. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This city, of course, is still Lindy Ruff’s home. Always will be, the former Sabres coach said shortly after his stunning Feb. 20 dismissal.
At times, it felt as if Ruff, having survived so much turmoil and change over his 15 seasons, would never leave.
But 250 days ago, Darcy Regier, Ruff’s close friend, drove to his Clarence home and fired him, the Sabres’ regression too much for the general manager ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers endured a rough 2012-13 season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Skating beside Tyler Myers again feels natural, almost like “we were never apart,” Sabres defenseman Henrik Tallinder said.
Their partnership began four years ago, on Oct. 3, 2009, and lasted 88 straight games.
Back then, Tallinder was struggling to regain his confidence, a shell of his old, smooth self. Myers was a slick 19-year-old rookie beginning a Calder Trophy campaign.
The two clicked immediately. Tallinder morphed into a calm, cool veteran again, complimenting ... Read the full article
Ville Leino hasn’t produced much offense with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Forget about Ville Leino’s shaky past with the Sabres and the widespread belief he’s a bust. Start judging the Finn differently.
The winger feels poised for a breakout season under new coach Ron Rolston.
Why should someone with only 10 goals and 31 points two seasons into a six-year, $27 million contract be given a clean slate?
Leino’s finally healthy after years of discomfort, having undergone a second hip surgery during the offseason... Read the full article
Matt Ellis has played 197 games with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This place, Matt Ellis said recently, is “where my heart is.” Five years ago this Tuesday, the Sabres claimed the forward from Los Angeles. As an injury fill-in, Ellis figured his stint could be short.
Sure enough, the Sabres waived Ellis weeks later, nearly losing him.
But the 32-year-old has stayed and carved out an important role with the organization, playing 197 NHL games and captaining two AHL affiliates.
In July, five months ... Read the full article