WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Nikita Zadorov, who danced Friday, will play an NHL game soon. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – One by one they danced, each Sabres rookie taking a turn at center ice as teammates laughed and cheered following Friday’s practice inside the First Niagara Center.
Johan Larsson showcased, well, all sorts of crazy moves, including some breakdancing. Zemgus Girgensons twerked like Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards.
“Twerking on skates, that’ll be the first time,” Sabres winger Tyler Ennis said.
When you’re 1-7-1 and hours removed from a shutout ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov hurt his thumb during the preseason finale. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Get ready to see the sixth rookie skate for the Sabres this season.
Russian defenseman Nikita Zadorov, the 16th overall pick in June, will make his NHL debut soon, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
The 18-year-old Zadorov, out since hurting his finger during the preseason finale, has been practicing with the Sabres.
“He’s getting there,” Rolston said about Zadorov’s recovery following practice today inside the First Niagara Center.
When will Zadorov, ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons practices this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – About 16 media members, most of them from Vancouver, surrounded Sabres center Cody Hodgson this morning.
The Canucks, of course, traded Hodgson on Feb. 27, 2012 amid speculation his relationship with the team had soured, he wanted more playing time and his father had become too involved in his hockey affairs.
Naturally, Hodgson didn’t want to talk about any of that.
“I’m happy to be here for the next six years,” Hodgson, who ... Read the full article
Mike Weber is going through a rough stretch. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – His coaches and the media have nothing on struggling Sabres defenseman Mike Weber, who calls himself his hardest critic.
Right now, the 25-year-old’s reeling, enduring arguably the roughest stretch of his 179-game career. His wretched minus-8 rating ranks dead last – 599th, to be exact – in the NHL. He was an ugly minus-4 in Thursday’s 4-1 loss to Columbus.
Following the game, a bearded Weber was visibly agitated, ... Read the full article
Mike Weber (6) lifts his stick on Columbus’ Cam Atkinson on Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Not surprisingly, Sabres defenseman Mike Weber, an NHL-worst minus-8, could be benched for Saturday’s game in Chicago against the Blackhawks, the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Weber, a minus-4 in Thursday’s listless 4-1 loss to Columbus, skated with 18-year-old rookie Nikita Zadorov during this morning’s practice inside the First Niagara Center. Zadorov working his way back from a finger injury.
Meanwhile, defenseman Alexander Sulzer, a healthy scratch all season, skated beside Tyler Myers ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick (8) blocks David Savard’s shot Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres scratched struggling center Mikhail Grigorenko for Thursday’s 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets inside the First Niagara Center.
Rookie Johan Larsson, a scratch Tuesday, pivoted Zemgus Girgensons and Brian Flynn in Grigorenko’s place.
The 19-year-old Grigorenko hasn’t showcased the competitiveness Sabres coach Ron Rolston wants to see.
“He’s got to continue consistency of his compete and his details away from the puck and then, offensively, some confidence there,” ... Read the full article
Johan Larsson has played two games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres will scratch 19-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Rookie Johan Larsson, a scratch Tuesday, will pivot Zemgus Girgensons and Brian Flynn inside the First Niagara Center.
Grigorenko, one of 17 pointless Sabres, hasn’t showcased the competitiveness coach Ron Rolston wants to see.
“He’s got to continue consistency of his compete and his details away from the puck and then, offensively, some confidence there,” said Rolston, ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller has missed two games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ryan Miller could return from his groin injury Thursday against Columbus.
“Just have to see how it goes tomorrow,” Miller said this afternoon after practicing inside the First Niagara Center.
Miller participated fully today for the first time since injuring himself while making 45 saves Friday.
“He’ll be available, for sure,” Sabres coach Ron Rolston said. “He’s healthy.”
Miller felt well enough to dress for Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Tampa ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno could practice today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With a muscle strain sidelining winger Marcus Foligno, the 23 players on the ice Monday – 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies – could comprise the Sabres’ opening-night roster, coach Ron Rolston said.
Foligno, who was injured last Sunday in Toronto, was placed on injured reserve Monday. The Sabres had to hit the 23-man roster limit by 5 p.m.
Rolston said Foligno could practice today. Still, he’s likely out for Wednesday’s ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov could go back to junior. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov cut his finger blocking a shot in Friday’s exhibition finale and is out about two weeks, coach Ron Rolston said.
“It just kind of smashed it on the tip,” Rolston said Saturday inside the First Niagara Center.
The 18-year-old rookie had the injury stitched up, Rolston said.
Zadorov signed a three-year, entry-level contract Wednesday, although general manager Darcy Regier hinted then the Sabres would likely send the youngster ... Read the full article
