Vanek - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres Hall call caught Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville off guard

BUFFALO – During a break in Thursday’s second period, Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville were told to stand alongside Ryan Miller, their close friend and former Sabres teammate, as he addressed the crowd on the video boards.

Vanek said he figured he and Pominville would serve as Miller’s “hype guys” as he spoke.

When Miller began talking, it became clear what was happening.... Read the full article

Former Sabres star Maxim Afinogenov shares special moment with Lindy Ruff

BUFFALO – Other than a bit of a receding hairline, former winger Maxim Afinogenov looks pretty much like he did 20 or so years ago, when his slick exploits electrified Sabres fans.

Heck, Afinogenov looks like he could still lace up the skates and dazzle a bit, even at age 46. The Russian played until 2019-20 – he spent 10 seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League after leaving North America – before retiring.

The COVID-19 ... Read the full article

23 alumni scheduled to attend Sabres’ 2005-06 Reunion Night

Twenty-three members of the beloved Buffalo Sabres team that roared out of the lockout and stunned the NHL by earning 110-points and reaching the Eastern Conference final are scheduled to attend the 2005-06 Reunion Night on Jan. 15 against the Montreal Canadiens, the team has announced.

The talent-laden team, which fell one game short of reaching the Stanley Cup final, will be honored during a pregame celebration in KeyBank Center. Alumni are scheduled to make ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Ryan Miller happy in role as goalie scout and development coach with Sharks

ROCHESTER – Right now, Buffalo Sabres legend Ryan Miller is busy interviewing goalie prospects and writing reports, his final preparations for the NHL Draft.

Later this month, Miller, 44, will be in Texas watching prospects at the World Under-18 Junior Championship.

These days, Miller, who retired in 2021, works as a goalie scout and development coach for the San Jose Sharks. It’s a job, given his long and successful career and cerebral approach to hockey, ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek possessed special ability similar to Sabres star Tage Thompson’s

BUFFALO – Twice earlier this week, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was asked if winger Tage Thompson’s dynamic ability to shoot the puck and finish reminded him of anyone.

The first time, Ruff acknowledged he couldn’t offer a good answer. But after reflecting and putting more thought into it, he had a name ready.

“I’d probably put Thomas Vanek in that category,” Ruff said prior to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

13 years ago today, the Buffalo Sabres clinched their last playoff spot

It feels like a lifetime ago. In reality, 13 years have passed since the Buffalo Sabres clinched their last playoff berth.

On April 8, 2011, the Sabres completed a stunning turnaround by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime and securing a spot in the postseason.

Barely five months earlier, they had ranked dead last in the NHL.

Read about the Sabres’ wild win that night – they sat on the puck at the end ... Read the full article

Sharks hire former Sabres stars Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek for scouting, development roles

Former Buffalo Sabres stars Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek are back in the NHL working for an old teammate, San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier.

Miller, 43, will scout draft-eligible goalies and assist Evgeni Nabokov in goaltender development, the Sharks announced Friday.

Meanwhile, Vanek, 39, will be an amateur scout in Minnesota.... Read the full article

Austrian D David Reinbacher could be terrific NHL Draft choice for Sabres

BUFFALO – In the bedroom of his childhood home in Hohenems, Austria, NHL Draft prospect David Reinbacher still has a jersey of former Sabres star Thomas Vanek he proudly wore growing up.

Vanek, who scored 373 goals over 14 NHL seasons, has long been the face of Austrian hockey. But his popularity transcends the sport. He’s an icon in the country.

“I would say (he’s) like Arnold Schwarzenegger there,” Reinbacher said, comparing the high-scoring ... Read the full article

As Sabres struggle, so is goalie Craig Anderson: ‘We owe him a lot more’

BUFFALO – In his two-year career with the Sabres, veteran goalie Craig Anderson had never been pulled from a game before Tuesday’s ugly 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators.

Despite being the NHL’s oldest player, the 41-year-old’s play hasn’t declined much. Sure, he can’t handle a heavy workload anymore. Age has relegated him to backup status. Throughout his 20th season, he has started about once a week.

Anderson has performed so well at times ... Read the full article

Amerks Hall of Fame: Before starring role in Buffalo, Sabres could’ve lost Jason Pominville on waivers

ROCHESTER – No one, it seems, except for perhaps Jason Pominville himself, could believe the Buffalo Sabres did it.

Sure, the team was stacked up front in 2005 as the NHL emerged from the lockout. But why would they waive Pominville, one of their top prospects? He was out of options, and if they wanted to assign him to the Americans again, he would have to clear.

Every other team would have a chance to ... Read the full article