WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Brian Gionta talks about being named captain Tuesday. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For five years, Josh Gorges watched Brian Gionta closely. Gionta’s Stanley Cup ring offered him instant credibility in the Montreal dressing room. But Gorges quickly learned why Gionta won a championship.
Gorges noticed the professionalism Gionta exhibited, the strong habits that made him a leader and respected captain.
“I’ve said this all along, when you’re a young guy coming into a team … who do you look to in the room and say, ... Read the full article
Michal Neuvirth struggled during the preseason. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – So much for that goalie battle between Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth lasting into the regular season.
A strong preseason has already earned Enroth the No. 1 job. Of course, Neuvirth played wretchedly.
Enroth won both exhibition starts, allowing one goal on 58 shots, a .983 save percentage. Neuvirth, meanwhile, lost both appearances, allowing 10 goals on 48 shots, a .828 save percentage.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan noticed “that look he had ... Read the full article
Matt Moulson (26), Brian Gionta (12) and Josh Gorges (4) posed with their new letters this afternoon. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the first time in years, the Sabres have stability in their leadership group.
Captains Brian Gionta and alternates Josh Gorges and Matt Moulson have a combined 12 years left on their contracts. Each veteran chose to join the rebuilding Sabres this offseason.
Ted Nolan, who’s beginning his first full season as Sabres coach since 1996-97, believes the trio will fill the leadership void he noticed late last season.
“Coming in, going in ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta signed with the Sabres on July 1. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ted Nolan today named 35-year-old winger Brian Gionta the 19th full-season captain in franchise history.
Defenseman Josh Gorges and winger Matt Moulson have been named alternates.
The Sabres haven’t had a captain since Steve Ott left in February.
Check back for details and quotes later!... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart can play nine games before his entry-level contract begins. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This could just be a brief, low-risk experiment. The Sabres have nine regular-season games to evaluate top prospect Sam Reinhart before the slick center’s entry-level contract kicks in.
Might as well use the trial, right?
Right now, Reinhart, the No. 2 pick in June, has a roster spot. The 18-year-old will make his NHL debut in Thursday’s season opener, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.
The Sabres also have 19-year-old defenseman Nikita Zadorov on ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko impressed the Sabres during training camp. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Following an impressive training camp, 20-year-old Mikhail Grigorenko’s “real, real close” to making the NHL, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.
“He’s knocking on the door,” Nolan said today after the Sabres sent the center to the AHL. “Right now, he needs just a little bit more seasoning.”
That seasoning will come in Rochester, where the Russian played 14 games late last season.
Grigorenko, who matured rapidly over the summer, made Nolan ... Read the full article
Many believe the Sabres will name veteran Brian Gionta captain. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres will likely name a new captain Tuesday, coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon.
“We’re pretty close,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center.
Nolan said he and his staff have been discussing the captaincy “from the get-go.”
“The one thing I asked our coaches to do is kind of do a daily log on who they felt is the proper leadership with this group,” he said. “They’ve been doing that on ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart has impressed the Sabres enough to stay. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart, the No. 2 pick in June, will make his NHL debut on Thursday against Columbus, coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon.
The 18-year-old Reinhart was among 23 healthy skaters on the ice today. NHL teams must reach the 23-man roster limit by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
While Nolan said today’s practice group was pretty close to the opening-night roster, the Sabres are still discussing moves.
The Sabres sent ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko played in the AHL briefly last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A strong training camp couldn’t earn 20-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko an NHL roster spot.
The Sabres have sent Grigorenko to AHL Rochester, according to Jay Grossman, the prospect’s agent.
Many had the Russian ticketed for the Americans before an impressive camp caught Sabres coach Ted Nolan’s attention.
Based on his camp, Grigorenko could be in line for a recall. He should receive big minutes in Rochester, where he played 14 games late last ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta was an alternate captain during the preseason. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Since the Sabres signed Brian Gionta on July 1, the talk, understandably, has centered on the veteran winger’s leadership.
The 35-year-old captained the storied Montreal Canadiens for four seasons. The rebuilding Sabres need someone to wear the ‘C.’ Gionta’s the most qualified candidate.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Thursday a new captain would be named soon. The Greece native could be awarded the prestigious letter as soon as Monday.
But in ... Read the full article
