WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
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Zemgus Girgensons blocked a shot Tuesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Top Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons, who blocked a shot with his right ankle Tuesday, will play again this season, coach Ted Nolan said this morning.
Nolan hinted Girgensons could be finished after James Wisniewski’s shot hit the Latvian halfway through the 4-2 win in Columbus.
“It’s bad but not as bad as we thought,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center.
Nolan wouldn’t say if Girgensons’ ankle was broken.
“It could be, ... Read the full article
Alex Biega made his NHL debut Feb. 16. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Alex Biega had finally cracked an NHL roster. For 10 days in December, the defenseman earned a fatter paycheck and practiced with the Vancouver Canucks.
But, oddly enough, the 26-year-old former Sabres prospect never played. He got tantalizingly close to game action once, dressing for the pregame warm-up.
“It wasn’t frustrating, but I guess I was antsy just to get in,” Biega said by phone Wednesday after the Canucks landed in Buffalo. “I ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe played twice this week. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres sent defenseman Jake McCabe to the Rochester Americans this afternoon, meaning Nikita Zadorov will likely return from a two-game benching Thursday.
McCabe played twice during his first NHL recall this season. The Amerks host Syracuse tonight.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan sat Zadorov because the 19-year-old was late to a team meeting Sunday morning. The Sabres host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.
Update: The NHL has fined Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov will likely sit out tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Each time Nikita Zadorov violates a team rule, it’s important to remember the Sabres defenseman wasn’t drafted by Tim Murray. The gruff general manager isn’t tied to the Russian.
Sure, Zadorov, the 16th pick in 2013, is an elite prospect. At just 19 years old, he’s already a big contributor to the Sabres. Zadorov recently compiled seven points in seven games. The Sabres scored only 16 times in that stretch. He could ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov will likely sit another game. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the second time in less than a month, Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov stood up before his teammates and apologized for breaking a rule.
On Sunday morning, the Sabres benched the 19-year-old Russian for showing up to a meeting late.
“I just feel sorry this happened. … I couldn’t do that,” Zadorov said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “It was my mistake, 100 percent, no excuses, couldn’t do that. I spoke ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe made his NHL season debut Sunday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ted Nolan offered no details about Nikita Zadorov’s benching Sunday, only saying the defenseman was getting scratched for violating team rules, another episode in the 19-year-old’s turbulent rookie season.
“We had a number of discussions, and another thing happened this morning,” Nolan said prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll talk to him again.”
The Sabres needed Zadorov badly against the ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov was suspended last month. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov will be scratched for tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators for “team reasons,” coach Ted Nolan said this morning.
The 19-year-old Zadorov, whose maturity has been a problem all season, was suspended last month after his flight back to Buffalo following the NHL All-Star break was oversold.
“It’s just part of the growing process,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll just have to deal with him. ... Read the full article
Andre Benoit has been scratched throughout this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In his first two NHL seasons, Sabres defenseman Andre Benoit enjoyed a regular role on strong playoff teams.
Benoit, 31, first earned notice two years ago as a late-bloomer in Ottawa. Last season in Colorado, he played more than 20 minutes a night, compiling 28 points.
This season, well, hasn’t been easy for Benoit, who made only his 39th appearance in Friday’s 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers inside the First ... Read the full article
Josh Gorges has missed three games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges’ season could be over.
Gorges will decide his future in the next day or two, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. The veteran is “getting the final information” on the lower-body injury that has sidelined him three games, Nolan said. But the team is planning on playing without Gorges.
“We’ll see next little bit here,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.
In other news, the Sabres will ... Read the full article
The Sabres recalled Matt Ellis last month. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Matt Ellis considers himself a realist. At 33 years old, the center understands the Sabres have younger and more talented players they need to examine.
That’s why the veteran of 330 NHL games spent four months this season mentoring the organization’s AHL prospects in Rochester.
“To be perfectly honest, I enjoyed the role that I played in Rochester,” Ellis said Monday inside the First Niagara Center.
The role was fulfilling. Ellis felt proud ... Read the full article