Ruff - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Claude Julien understands Sabres’ plan for Mikhail Grigorenko

BUFFALO – The benefits of sitting an 18-year-old rookie are many, Claude Julien said this morning. The Boston Bruins coach sat slick winger Tyler Seguin, his teenage phenom, occasionally two years ago.

The Sabres plan to sit Mikhail Grigorenko, their 18-year-old freshman, at times this season, a tactic coach Lindy Ruff believes will benefit his top prospect’s development. Ruff scratched the Russian on Sunday against Boston.

Seguin played 74 games in 2010-11 before watching ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Scott back in lineup against Bruins as Sulzer sits again

BUFFALO – The 15^th-place Sabres will make one lineup change for tonight’s tilt against the Boston Bruins inside the First Niagara Center, inserting tough guy John Scott for Cody McCormick up front.

Scott sat Tuesday’s 2-0 loss in Ottawa, his first healthy scratch this season. The enforcer had a memorable knockout of the Bruins’ Shawn Thornton on Jan. 31.

Meanwhile, defensemen T.J. Brennan and Alexander Sulzer will sit again as healthy scratches.

Sulzer, ... Read the full article

Ruff ready to ‘clean up’ struggling Sabres: ‘It’s on me’

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff’s mood belied his team’s plight. The Sabres coach was smiling and brimming with energy during a frank nine-minute chat with the media Thursday following a 70-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center.

“It is on me,” Ruff said about the challenge of fixing the Sabres’ poor 5-8-1 record, which has them mired in 15^th place in the Eastern Conference. “I understand that. I understand this is on me to clean ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ruff trying to keep struggling Stafford ‘in the right place’

BUFFALO – It was an epic miss magnified by his 14-game, season-long goal drought. On a three-on-two break during Tuesday’s 2-0 loss in Ottawa, struggling Sabres winger Drew Stafford misfired on a one-timer with a yawning net ahead, blowing a glorious chance to end his slump.

“I think everyone saw the highlight of him missing, just heeling what would’ve been a wide-open one-timer you’d almost think was right in the wheelhouse,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff ... Read the full article

Ruff on cleaning up Sabres’ poor start: ‘It’s on me’

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff’s mood belied his team’s plight. The Sabres coach was smiling and brimming with energy during a frank nine-minute chat with the media this afternoon following a 70-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center.

No one would’ve known the Sabres are 5-8-1 and mired in 12^th place in the Eastern Conference.

“It is on me,” Ruff said about the challenge of cleaning up the Sabres’ poor start. “I understand that. I ... Read the full article

Sabres possess slew of underachievers in disappointing season

BUFFALO – On the surface, it sounds like a dynamic early-season combination. Goalie Ryan Miller locked in, on top of his game. Twenty-two goals and 49 points from the Sabres’ top line, highlighted by 11 scores and 23 points from superstar Thomas Vanek.

Well, it’s added up to a 5-7-1 record, 11 points and a last-place Northeast Division standing entering tonight’s tilt in Ottawa against the Senators.

The defense, the Sabres’ supposed strength, is ... Read the full article

Sabres give goalie Miller little help, fall to Bruins late

BUFFALO – A night after his dynamic effort stole a victory for his teammates in New York, the Sabres demanded an encore performance from goalie Ryan Miller.

Thirteen games into the season, the Sabres are a gigantic mess defensively, allowing 40 shots some nights and loads of scoring chances.

Miller can only do so much, but he dazzled again Sunday in the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the scorching Boston Bruins, stopping 36 shots before 18,869 ... Read the full article

Grigorenko and Myers sit as Regehr returns; Sabres waive Ellis

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ lineup reshuffling Sunday included rookie Mikhail Grigorenko’s first healthy scratch but still left struggling defenseman Tyler Myers’ watching for a second consecutive night.

Meanwhile, the Sabres waived forward Matt Ellis to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster prior to their 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.

Teams have until noon today to claim the 31-year-old Ellis, a high-energy fourth-liner.

Sabres’ Matt Ellis has been asset for years

With no roster space left, the Sabres waived forward Matt Ellis today.

Is this the end of the 31-year-old’s five-year run with the team? Would he clear waivers? It’s possible a team will grab him. Will he make it to Rochester?

Ellis could come back right away even if he goes down. He was the Sabres’ only spare forward just days ago. Another player will get injured at some point.

Whatever happens, the hardworking ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Myers still out as Regehr returns; Ellis on waivers

BUFFALO – Tyler Myers, an NHL-worst minus-9 this season, will sit his second straight game tonight, the struggling defenseman told the Times Herald.

It’s also expected defenseman Robyn Regehr will return tonight inside the First Niagara Center following a seven-game absence (lower body). Rookie T.J. Brennan could sit against the Boston Bruins.

With Regehr on injured reserve and the Sabres at the 23-man roster limit, the Sabres placed Matt Ellis, a healthy scratch recently, ... Read the full article