WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Free Agency Edition
The Sabres’ Mike Weber (6) fights Steve Downie on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The buzz began building as Drew Stafford wound up at the left point. A second later, as the winger pumped a slap shot on Colorado goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere 14:09 into the game, the 18,422 fans inside the First Niagara Center roared, almost like the Sabres had scored.
It was, of course, a Bronx cheer – perhaps the loudest you’ll ever hear. The hapless Sabres finally had their first shot.
“That’s a low moment,” ... Read the full article
Joe Sacco coached Colorado four seasons. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Joe Sacco wasn’t sure what he would feel watching the Colorado Avalanche, his old team, play the rebuilding Sabres on Saturday inside the First Niagara Center.
Ron Rolston’s top assistant coach spent eight seasons coaching in the Colorado organization, the last four as the Avs’ head coach.
“That’s a long time with one organization,” Sacco said prior to the Sabres’ 4-2 loss. “I have a lot of friends that are still there and ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons was hit in the face Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Since the Sabres had an optional skate this morning, you’ll have to wait until tonight to see their lineup against the upstart Colorado Avalanche.
This much is known: Cody McCormick, who blocked a shot in Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Vancouver, is out. The forward is day-to-day, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
Winger Zemgus Girgensons, who took a shot off his face Tuesday, will return after a one-game absence. The rookie has ditched ... Read the full article
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