Vanek - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Ron Rolston believes Steve Ott’s embellishment penalty wrong

PITTSBURGH – At the 12:01 mark of the first period in the Buffalo Sabres’ 2-0 loss to Boston on Sunday, hulking Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara cross-checked Steve Ott, sending the agitator flying into the boards.

Ott hit his head and skated off to the dressing room before returning. But in addition to Chara’s minor penalty, Ott received an unsportsmanlike conduct embellishment penalty.

Did interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston agree?

“No, unless you want to launch ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Regehr hasn’t waived no-trade clause; Vanek doubtful for Tuesday

BUFFALO – Robyn Regehr was simply enjoying a maintenance day from practice this morning. The Sabres defenseman, the subject of trade speculation with Wednesday’s deadline approaching, hasn’t waived his no-trade clause, he said.

Regehr said the media would have to ask general manager Darcy Regier about the plans for his team.

“From there I think we can make our decision,” Regehr said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Regehr couldn’t “say yes or ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Regehr missing from practice

BUFFALO – Cue the trade speculation.

Sabres defenseman Robyn Regher, a 32-year-old veteran among the best rental players believed to be available before Wednesday’s trade deadline, isn’t practicing this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Regehr, an unrestricted free agent following the season, has a no-trade clause, something he waived in 2011 to come to the Sabres. Many believe Regehr would waive it again.

Stay tuned for more details.

Wingers Ville Leino (muscle strain) and ... Read the full article

Vanek thinks Sabres could deal more players, wants to remain in town

BUFFALO – On Saturday, the struggling Sabres dealt defenseman Jordan Leopold, one of Thomas Vanek’s best friends on the team, to the St. Louis Blues, a move that hardly surprised the winger but “still shocked” him.

“Unfortunately, it’s part of the business,” Vanek said this morning after skating inside the First Niagara Center. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a few more.”

Could Vanek, a franchise cornerstone, be dealt?

Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vanek out again; Rolston mum on starting goalie

BUFFALO – Slick winger Thomas Vanek (muscle strain) will miss his third straight game tonight when the Sabres host the Boston Bruins. Naturally, with their fierce Northeast Division rival in town, tough guy John Scott will dress.

But what about the rest of the lineup?

Backup Jhonas Enroth, who stopped 35 shots in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss to Washington, has played four strong games under Rolston after struggling more than a year. The Swede deserved ... Read the full article

Regier says Sabres could trade top assets before deadline

BUFFALO – Given their 12^th-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

Sabres prospect Corey Tropp healed and playing again

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Corey Tropp, thought to be done for the season after suffering ligament damage in his right knee playing for Rochester opening night, made a surprising return to the Americans’ lineup Friday in their 4-1 home loss to the Toronto Marlies.

Tropp damaged the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament Oct. 15 after scoring twice in the Amerks’ 6-5 win over the Syracuse Crunch.

The 23-year-old winger underwent surgery later ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Regehr not concerned about trade rumors: ‘You’re asking the wrong Regehr’

AMHERST – The trade rumors, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Robyn Regehr said, don’t bother him. They’re part of being an NHL player around the trade deadline, which hits Wednesday.

“If you want to know any more about them, I think you’re asking the wrong Regehr right now,” the 32-year-old veteran, an unrestricted free agent this summer, said this afternoon after the Sabres practiced inside the Northtown Center.

Of course, Regehr was referring to Sabres general manager ... Read the full article

Former Sabres prospect T.J. Brennan feeling comfortable with Panthers

BUFFALO – Ron Rolston’s Feb. 20 promotion to the Sabres as interim coach meant more comfort for T.J. Brennan, who was playing sparingly under Lindy Ruff. The 23-year-old had just spent almost two seasons thriving under Rolston in Rochester, developing into one of the AHL’s slickest defenseman.

“(Rolston) knew my style and knew my type of play,” Brennan said by phone Wednesday. “I think that was a good change for me. But, I guess, at ... Read the full article

Which Sabres player should Rolston sit against Panthers?

While interim Buffalo Sabres coach Ron Rolston wouldn’t confirm it, defenseman Andrej Sekera, out the last five games, essentially told reporters in Florida he planned to play tonight against the Panthers following a five-game absence.

Slick winger Thomas Vanek (muscle strain) is out and struggling winger Drew Stafford, a healthy scratch the last two games, will return, Rolston told reporters.

Assuming Sekera returns, what should the Sabres do? Should Rolston simply sit ... Read the full article