WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Tyler Ennis played the wing Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – On Friday, coach Ron Rolston said the Sabres “would look at all options” to find another center, even if it meant moving someone over from the wing.
Sure enough, Tyler Ennis was centering Marcus Foligno and Drew Stafford this morning as the Sabres prepared for tonight’s preseason contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the First Niagara Center.
Where does Rolston see Ennis winding up eventually, center or wing? The 23-year-old has ... Read the full article
Jamie McBain had only one goal and eight points last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jamie McBain disputes his former general manager’s belief he reported to training camp out of shape last season.
The new Sabres defenseman acknowledged Tuesday that workouts “kind of slipped away from me a little bit” during the lockout. But McBain had played briefly in Finland and felt ready for an abbreviated season with the Carolina Hurricanes following the work stoppage.
“My on-ice conditioning was just fine,” said McBain, who could face the Hurricanes ... Read the full article
The Sabres picked Rasmus Ristolainen eighth overall in June. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Four No. 1 picks from the last two years, including both 2013 selections, defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, will skate for the Sabres in tonight’s preseason opener in Montreal.
Expect to see the rebuilding Sabres showcase plenty of youth throughout the seven-game exhibition schedule, coach Ron Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
“There’s going to be a lot of opportunity for those players, and they’re going to get a ... Read the full article
Darcy Regier should be busy today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
NEWARK, N.J. – By tonight, following what promises to be a busy, even chaotic day at the NHL Entry Draft inside the Prudential Center, the Buffalo Sabres could be radically reshaped for the future.
With four of the first 52 picks in a deep draft, including the eighth and 16th selections, the Sabres should nab some elite prospects. But general manager Darcy Regier’s rebuild goes beyond simply adding draft picks.
Starting goalie Ryan Miller ... 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
Drew Stafford scored his first goal in the Sabres’ 15th game. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For some perspective on Drew Stafford’s disappointing six-goal, 18-point season, consider the winger compiled seven goals and 17 points during a torrid 12-game stretch late last year.
Stafford assembled his awful numbers in 46 contests this season. The 27-year-old scored his first goal in the Sabres’ 15th game. He was a healthy scratch twice. Rookie Brian Flynn equaled his goal output in 20 fewer appearances.
Remember, Stafford scored 32 times ... Read the full article
Ryan Millers chats with reporters Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – On the eve of what could be his 500th and final appearance with the Sabres, goalie Ryan Miller wouldn’t speculate about his future.
Instead, the 32-year-old mostly delved into a past that has made him one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
At times, Miller’s six-minute chat with the media Thursday sounded more like a goodbye than a reflection of his first 499 games.
He called Buffalo his “second home.” He smiled and ... Read the full article
John Scott has scored one NHL goal. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The home crowd reacts immediately. For a moment or two, the First Niagara Center starts buzzing.
John Scott has the puck around the net. The hulking Sabres tough guy just might score.
Scott’s second NHL goal would be celebrated wildly, generate some cheer during an otherwise glum season.
The fans want to see this badly.
“I want it just as bad,” Scott said Friday. “I can tell it’s kind of an anticipation happening. ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth made 37 saves Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – To Jhonas Enroth, Friday’s terrible relief effort meant little. The backup goalie forgot about allowing four goals in 31 minutes at the final horn. Enroth didn’t start the Sabres’ 8-4 loss to the New York Rangers. The game wasn’t his.
“I came off the bench the other game,” Enroth said Monday after making 37 saves in the Sabres’ 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. “So I really didn’t care about that after ... Read the full article
Christian Ehrhoff takes a hit from Winnipeg’s Alexander Burmistrov. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Watching Germany’s national team fall into disarray and off the world stage hasn’t been easy for Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff.
The country recently failed to qualify for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Consider that other than three world war bans, the country’s ice hockey team had qualified for every other Olympics, all of them since 1948.
“Obviously, the non-qualification for the Olympics is very frightening, very sad,” Ehrhoff said Monday prior to ... Read the full article