Tampa Bay Lightning - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Rebuilding Sabres busy at trade deadline, not done overhauling roster

BUFFALO – Tim Murray said he began his first NHL trade deadline day as a general manager with no expectations, unsure which direction the rebuilding Sabres might go.

By the end Wednesday, Murray had made three notable deals, trading familiar names like Matt Moulson, Cody McCormick and Brayden McNabb while acquiring NHL talent and prospects. He also grabbed Canisius product Cory Conacher off waivers.

Murray, who sent franchise goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mike Weber out ‘long-term’ after blocking shot

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Mike Weber is out “long-term” after a blocking a shot midway through Friday’s 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers, coach Ron Rolston told reporters this afternoon in Tampa Bay.

Rolston gave no timetable for a return. Mike Weaver’s slap shot ran up Weber’s hand, Rolston said.

Weber has zero points, 21 penalty minutes and a minus-12 rating in 11 games this season.

The Sabres, who dressed seven defensemen Friday, won’t ... Read the full article

Disallowed goal momentum-killer in Sabres’ OT loss to Lightning

BUFFALO – A two-goal lead? Wait, the winless Sabres scored twice in one game?

Entering Tuesday’s tilt, the struggling club had only two goals in its first three contests. Heck, the Sabres hadn’t even held a lead yet this season.

But they rebounded nicely against the Tampa Bay Lightning, building a 2-1 advantage before co-captain Thomas Vanek tipped Jamie McBain’s shot past goalie Ben Bishop 5:21 into the third period.

The horn sounded. Players raised ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers, Mike Weber finally skate as defense partners

BUFFALO – In their three years as Sabres teammates, Tyler Myers and Mike Weber have rarely kept the same defense partner long.

Myers has spent significant time beside almost every established defenseman in recent seasons, a result of personal and team struggles. Weber, meanwhile, has only established himself as a regular presence in the last year.

Still, the two had never been paired together for more than a few shifts before Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss ... Read the full article

Winless Sabres mixing things up; Jhonas Enroth likely starting

BUFFALO – So, who’s starting in goal for the winless Sabres against the Tampa Bay Lightning?

“You’ll see tonight,” Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Jhonas Enroth left the ice first following the morning skate, a sign the backup will likely receive his second straight nod with Ryan Miller nursing a sore groin.

Still, Miller participated fully in the skate and Matt Hackett, the organization’s No. 3 goalie... Read the full article

Youthful Sabres focusing on solving long list of problems

BUFFALO – This is a new era for the rebuilding Sabres, a struggling team featuring five rookies, three of them teenagers.

At one point during Monday’s long practice, the Sabres, who’ve done little right while losing their first three games, went through a pass-heavy drill.

Simply dishing the puck can be an arduous task these days.

“We need to get better there,” coach Ron Rolston said inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Enroth grounds Lightning in second consecutive start

BUFFALO – This two-day stretch hardly mirrored the last time Sabres backup goalie Jhonas Enroth earned consecutive starts for a healthy Ryan Miller.

Back in November 2011, Enroth sported an eight-game winning streak as Miller was beginning a wretched three-month slump. The Swede’s second nod ignited a goaltending controversy.

These days, Miller’s entrenched as the No. 1 goalie. Enroth, meanwhile, recently regained the dynamic form he showcased early during his rookie season.

If the ... Read the full article

Kevin Porter establishing himself as one of Sabres’ top forwards

BUFFALO – Ten years ago, Ron Rolston wanted Kevin Porter to come play at Boston College. The interim Sabres coach, then an NCAA assistant, recruited the teenage hockey star, even talked to his father a little bit.

Ultimately, Porter stayed in his home state, becoming a collegiate legend at Michigan. Rolston, meanwhile, took over Team USA’s development program shortly after Porter left.

Their paths crossed again in July.

Porter’s career had hit a rut after ... Read the full article

Rolston mum on Sabres’ starting goalie

BUFFALO – So, Ron Rolston, fresh off his 29-save shutout in Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers, will backup goalie Jhonas Enroth start again today?

“I don’t know,” the Sabres’ interim coach replied this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll see.”

Rolston knows which netminder’s starting against the Tampa Bay Lightning, right? He’s just not telling.

“Exactly,” he said with a grin.

Enroth, who hurt his neck late Saturday, is fine, Rolston said. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ wretched play frustrates Rolston

It was John Tortorella-esque.

In his 35^th day on the job following his 16^th game, the Buffalo Sabres’ futility finally got to interim coach Ron Rolston.

After the Sabres’ uninspired 2-1 loss Tuesday in Tampa Bay to the Lightning, a game in which they sprinkled only 14 shots on journeyman goalie Mathieu Garon, Rolston sounded like the New York Rangers’ bench boss.

In his brief chat with the media, Rolston replied ... Read the full article