Phil Varone played nine NHL games last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Phil Varone believes he can stick with Sabres

BUFFALO – Phil Varone’s nine-game run last season grabbed coach Ted Nolan’s attention. The 5-foot-10 forward played well during his first NHL recall, compiling one goal and two points while taking a regular shift.

But Varone, who will play in today’s preseason opener in Washington, couldn’t convert a slew of scoring opportunities he generated.

“The difference between him and (Martin) St. Louis and players of that caliber who’s a smaller structure, when they have an ... Read the full article

Matt Moulson (left) shares a laugh with Tyler Ennis on Saturday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Matt Moulson feels at home back in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Through all the losses last season, through all the stress and uncertainty, Matt Moulson kept envisioning the future here.

The high-scoring winger endured the toughest season of his career in 2013-14, skating for three teams during a dizzying six-month stretch. The Sabres lost 28 of the 44 games he played. They changed coaches and general managers. Days before they traded him to the Minnesota Wild, Pat LaFontaine resigned as president of hockey operations.... Read the full article

Nikita Zadorov played seven NHL games last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Nikita Zadorov could be destined for junior again

BUFFALO – Ask Ted Nolan about playing teenagers in the NHL, and the Sabres coach will tell you very few possess the maturity to play there at such a young age.

Shortly after Nolan took over in November, the Sabres sent Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, two defensemen drafted in the first round months earlier, away for more seasoning.

On Friday, Nolan was asked if the Sabres could potentially play the two 19-year-olds ... Read the full article

Michal Neuvirth only played two games with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Friends Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth ready to battle for Sabres’ starting goalie job

BUFFALO – They’ve been friends for years. Sabres goalies Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth grew up facing each other overseas. When their careers shifted to North America, they kept competing all the way to the NHL.

These days, the 26-year-olds are challenging for the same spot, the No. 1 goalie position.

“It’s Jhonas and Neuvirth’s time,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Friday inside the First Niagara Center following the first session of training camp.

The ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart skates this morning. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres put top prospect Sam Reinhart on strong line to open training camp

BUFFALO – Hey, it’s never too early for line and defense combinations, right? Clearly, coach Ted Nolan has formed trios and pairs he believes could be used in the regular season.

Here are some notable ones the Sabres are using today during the opening session of training camp (left to right):

– Marcus Foligno, Sam Reinhart and Chris Stewart.

– Matt Moulson, Tyler Ennis and Drew Stafford.

– Cody Hodgson, Zemgus Girgensons and Brian Gionta.... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta hasn’t played in the NHL in almost a year. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta ready to compete for roster spot

BUFFALO – Ten months away from the team he loves so dearly changed him. No, Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta hasn’t gone soft. But getting banished to the minors and tearing his ACL allowed the hard-hitting agitator to reflect on a career that derailed in just a few weeks.

“I’m as focused as I’ve ever been in my life, more serious,” Kaleta said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center following his training camp physical. “I’ve always ... Read the full article

Matt Moulson re-signed with the Sabres on July 1. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres optimistic, believe new group of talent will create success

BUFFALO – It’s an odd dynamic. Some fans, even the most diehard ones, want the Sabres to lose this season so they can draft a franchise-changing prospect.

“I didn’t come here to lose,” Sabres winger Brian Gionta said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center. “The first step is to get into the playoffs.”

That kind of talk has been rare here for the last 18 months as the Sabres quickly morphed into the NHL’s worst ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan likes to see how other coaches operate. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ted Nolan would like to meet Buffalo Bills coaching staff

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan doesn’t attend many football games, but with Sabres owner Terry Pegula about to take over the Buffalo Bills, the coach said he “might be able to go to a couple.”

What Nolan would really like is a meeting with the Bills coaching staff.

“You learn different things from different points, so I’m looking forward to maybe getting to know the Bills coaching staff and maybe take some ideas from them ... Read the full article

Matt Moulson likes the Sabres’ future. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres believe days of losing are over

BUFFALO – Their faces told a story. One-by-one, Sabres players took their turn at a podium this morning, the start of training camp. Each one smiled and spoke optimistically.

They all talked about the great things the Sabres, the NHL’s laughingstock last year, can do this season after revamping the lineup this summer

“I didn’t come here to lose,” Sabres winger Brian Gionta, a July 1 signing, said inside the First Niagara Center. “The first ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart skates last week at the NHL Prospects Tournament. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres training camp will have plenty of storylines

BUFFALO – If you love roster battles, the next three weeks of Sabres training camp should be fun.

About 34 players have a legitimate chance to crack the opening-night lineup. They have a prized prospect, slick center Sam Reinhart, vying for a spot. The starting goalie job is up for grabs. Defense spots are open. Nine or 10 guys will be competing for three fourth-line spots.

Players report for physicals today. The first on-ice session ... Read the full article