WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
Ryan Miller tries to stop St. Louis’ Vladimir Taresenko on Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This was going to be a fun one, right? Tyler Ennis scored 10 seconds into Tuesday’s tilt against the St. Louis Blues. The Sabres, so vile most of the season, have finally started competing and generating some excitement under interim coach Ted Nolan.
Ennis’ goal wound up being the Sabres’ lone highlight in a boring 4-1 loss before 17,710 fans inside the First Niagara Center.
“It’s kind of another learning curve, right?” ... Read the full article
Derek Roy takes a break this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Derek Roy wasn’t happy after the Sabres dished him to Dallas in July 2012. The sometimes-slick center had just told former general manager Darcy Regier he wanted to stay in town.
The 30-year-old, who signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the St. Louis Blues during free agency, felt he had some unfinished business here.
“I thought we had a great team,” Roy said this morning inside the First Niagara Center prior ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko had two goals in 15 games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In veteran defenseman Henrik Tallinder’s mind, the Sabres’ old regime handed out too many roster spots to undeserving youngsters. Interim coach Ted Nolan and his boss, Pat LaFontaine, know that. They’re working to correct those past mistakes.
“It’s not about getting the spot; it’s about earning the spot,” Tallinder said this morning inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres reassigned four rookies, three of them teenagers. “It used to be like that ... Read the full article
John Scott said new interim coach Ted Nolan is “a tough guy.” ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The “meathead” hockey player, someone John Scott describes as a goon who plays three minutes, fights and calls it a day, well, the 6-foot-8 winger doesn’t care for him too much.
“I don’t want to do that,” Scott said Monday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the St. Louis Blues inside the First Niagara Center. “I want to help my team. I don’t think just going out there playing two minutes ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko has dominated in junior. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a not-so-surprising move, the Sabres sent 19-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko back to the Quebec Remparts late Monday, according to RDS, a Canadian sports network.
Grigorenko has been scratched both games under interim coach Ted Nolan, who has strongly hinted he doesn’t think the Sabres should have four teenagers on the roster.
UPDATE: Grigorenko was just seen leaving the building this morning. Rookie defenseman Nikita Zadorov isn’t on the ice and has ... Read the full article
Darcy Regier speaks to the media Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Given their 12th-place standing with Wednesday’s trade deadline approaching, the Sabres must listen to “anything and everything” available to them, general manager Darcy Regier said Saturday after trading veteran defenseman Jordan Leopold.
Yes, that means Regier could envision himself dealing franchise cornerstones like goalie Ryan Miller and captain Jason Pominville.
“I am listening. I have talked to all 30 GMs over the last, if I say week, it certainly ... Read the full article
Jordan Leopold signed with the Sabres in July 2010. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Given their weak standing as Wednesday’s trade deadline approaches, the Sabres must listen to “anything and everything” available to them, general manager Darcy Regier.
“I am listening. I have talked to all 30 GMs over the last, if I say week, it certainly takes in all of them,” Regier said tonight prior to the Sabres’ tilt against the Washington Capitals inside the First Niagara Center. “I’ll continue to try to figure out ways ... Read the full article
Jordan Leopold smiled often. ©2013, Janet Schultz, Olean Times Herald
Jordan Leopold’s Sabres career ended today when the team dealt him to the St. Louis Blues for two draft picks. Leopold, whose accountability and quick wit made him a great personality, wasn’t overly flashy. The American did a little bit of everything well. That’s why he consistently (and very quietly) led the Sabres in ice time. His value to the Sabres was huge.
Here’s what I wrote about Leopold on Jan. 6, 2012.
BUFFALO ... Read the full article
Jordan Leopold was with the Sabres this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres traded defenseman Jordan Leopold to the St. Louis Blues this afternoon for draft picks, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported.
The 32-year-old, who was with Sabres this morning preparing for tonight’s game against the Washington Capitals, will become an unrestricted free agent following the season.
It was believed the Sabres would try to deal him before Wednesday’s trade deadline.
Leopold struggled much of the winter, even sitting as a healthy scratch before an ... Read the full article