Varone - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Lawrence Pilut making case to stick in NHL

BUFFALO – Every once in a while a prospect like Sabres defenseman Lawrence Pilut comes along. After a short apprenticeship in the AHL – maybe just a few months or less – he arrives in the NHL and stays for good.

For as much as the Sabres and other teams stress development and paying dues, some guys are just ready for the big leagues right away.

Pilut, 22, is just four games into his career. ... Read the full article

Sabres make 7-player AHL trade with Senators

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent three AHL players to the Ottawa Senators late Saturday night in exchange for four other minor leaguers, including Williamsville native Cole Schneider, the Binghamton Senators’ leading scorer.

Gone from the Rochester Americans are forwards Phil Varone and Jason Akeson and defenseman Jerome Leduc.

In addition to Schneider, who has 17 goals and 42 points in 54 AHL games this season, the Sabres also acquired forwards Eric O’Dell and Alex ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dan Bylsma not rotating defensemen; Zemgus Girgensons ready

BUFFALO – In the last three games, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma has used all eight defensemen on his roster, including Carlo Colaiacovo, who played Friday after sitting 15 straight games and 26 out of 27.

So, is Bylsma finally OK with having two spare defensemen?

“Am I warming to it?” Bylsma asked this afternoon. “No, I’m not warming to it. I don’t think I’ll ever warm to it.”

Why doesn’t he like having eight?... Read the full article

Marcus Foligno stars in Sabres’ wild win over Canadiens

BUFFALO – On the Sabres bench, they were all wondering what Marcus Foligno would do with his second-period penalty shot Friday, coach Dan Bylsma said.

The hulking winger possesses a lethal shot, yet he rarely utilizes it. From watching him up close in practice for months, Bylsma has learned Foligno has a tendency to deke.

So as he roared in at 17:41, Bylsma must’ve been mildly surprised to see him unleash a wicked wrist shot ... Read the full article

Sabres believe Flyers’ Radko Gudas targeted Dan Catenacci

BUFFALO – Before Dan Bylsma answered a question about the suspect hit that likely concussed Sabres winger Dan Catenacci late in Thursday’s ugly 5-1 road loss in Philadelphia, the coach paused for a few moments.

Clearly, Bylsma, who said he hadn’t watched a replay, wanted to choose his words carefully.

Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas, who has a reputation for questionable hits and has been suspended by the NHL once, won’t have a disciplinary hearing. Meanwhile, ... Read the full article

Sabres unhappy with Flyers’ Radko Gudas; Dan Catenacci out

Clearly, Bylsma, who said he hadn’t watched a replay, wanted to choose his words carefully.

Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas, who has a reputation for questionable hits and has been suspended by the NHL once, won’t have a disciplinary hearing, according ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dan Catenacci paid dues to earn first NHL recall

BUFFALO – In his first three AHL seasons, Sabres winger Dan Catenacci has developed what he believes is a strong relationship with his coaches. So the youngster was shocked when Randy Cunneyworth summoned him to his office Friday and the entire Rochester Americans’ staff began berating him.

What was the beef? Something Catenacci called a “nothing play” in the previous game.

“They started yelling at me,” he said Monday following practice inside the First Niagara ... Read the full article

Sabres send forwards to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent forwards Cal O’Reilly, Tim Schaller and Phil Varone to the Rochester Americans today, the start of the NHL All-Star break.

The Amerks host the Syracuse Crunch tonight.

O’Reilly, 29, has one assist in five NHL games this season. Schaller, 25, has one goal and three points in 17 appearances. Varone, 25, has one goal in four games.

O’Reilly is eligible again to play in the AHL All-Star Game on ... Read the full article

Sabres throttle Capitals, end home skid

BUFFALO – Count the Sabres’ exciting 4-1 shellacking of the high-powered Washington Capitals on Saturday as perhaps the most impressive victory felt in these parts in years.

The 29^th-ranked Sabres ended a five-game home losing streak while manhandling the league-leading Capitals, who roared into the First Niagara Center having won five straight contests and 14 of the last 16.

This one was never in doubt and had a little bit of everything. First-period ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Phil Varone feeling good after goal in season debut

BUFFALO – Just 18 days ago, when the Rochester Americans made their yearly visit to the First Niagara Center, Phil Varone watched as a healthy scratch. At that point, almost halfway through his fifth professional season, the forward appeared to be on the outs with the Sabres organization.

Despite playing 28 NHL games last year and earning a contract worth $200,000 in the minors, Varone’s poor play and the Amerks’ glut of veterans helped him ... Read the full article