WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Justin Kea will likely go to the AHL soon. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres today signed forward Justin Kea to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Kea, the 73rd overall pick in 2012, compiled 51 goals and 117 points in 253 games over four seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit. The 20-year-old had a career-high 22 goals, 49 points and plus-14 rating in 58 games this season.
Kea, 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, is expected to report to AHL Rochester soon on an amateur tryout ... Read the full article
Nathan Lieuwen will make his third start tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – To Ted Nolan, Nathan Lieuwen has the technical aspect of goaltending down. The Sabres coach just wants the 22-year-old rookie, who will start tonight against the New Jersey Devils, to be a little bit more aggressive in net.
“The one thing we always say with forwards, we want to see how competitive you are. And same thing with goaltenders,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “You have to come out. ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan has helped elevate the play of Drew Stafford (left) and Tyler Ennis (right). ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Drew Stafford’s first conversation with Sabres coach Ted Nolan lasted no more than two minutes, the winger said. It was a straightforward, “man-to-man” chat.
“Looking-at-me-in-the-eyes kind of conversation,” Stafford said Monday, hours after the Sabres removed Nolan’s interim tag and gave him a three-year contract extension.
Stafford was struggling badly back in mid-November. He had one goal and had just lost his alternate captaincy. Nolan didn’t care. As a veteran, Stafford deserved respect... Read the full article
Ville Leino felt lightheaded Thursday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The odd ailment Ville Leino experienced last week was “a type of migraine,” the Sabres forward said today.
“Your eyes are on a delay and your mind or face or feelings come a little late,” Leino said after returning to practice inside the First Niagara Center.
Leino felt lightheaded before Thursday’s 6-1 loss in Nashville and left the game early. It took a bit to figure out what was wrong, the Finn said.... Read the full article
Ted Nolan had his interim tag removed today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tim Murray has been watching Sabres coach Ted Nolan closely for months. In trying times, the general manager said, he’s liked Nolan’s work.
The Sabres, despite the NHL’s weakest roster and worst record, still compete most nights. Murray likes Nolan’s work with the youngsters and his popularity with the veterans.
“All I’ve heard is positives,” Murray said this afternoon in announcing a three-year contract extension and removing Nolan’s interim tag.
For Nolan, who ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan re-joined the Sabres on Nov. 13. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres removed the interim tag from Ted Nolan today, signing the coach to a reported three-year contract extension.
While the rebuilding club is 16-30-8 under Nolan, the culture around the Sabres has changed dramatically. Nolan’s straightforward approach has connected with many players, most notably center Tyler Ennis and winger Drew Stafford, who have been thriving in recent months.
“We are very happy to get this deal done and have Ted Nolan ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko played two AHL games last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a not-so-surprising move, the Sabres today assigned 19-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko to the Rochester Americans.
The Russian’s junior season with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts ended last week, making him eligible to play in the AHL.
Interim coach Ted Nolan hinted Saturday the Sabres would send Grigorenko to the Amerks, where he played two playoff games last season.
Since he had junior eligibility left, the NHL rejected Grigorenko’s AHL conditioning assignment in November. ... Read the full article
Matt Hackett made 29 saves Saturday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Nothing has changed, Matt Hackett said. Forget that he was enduring a terrible season in Rochester before injuries forced his recall. Forget that general manager Tim Murray recently said the Sabres’ goalie of the future likely wasn’t in the organization.
Hackett, a key piece of April’s Jason Pominville trade with the Wild, hasn’t lost much confidence. The 24-year-old still believes he can become the team’s No. 1 netminder, a coveted spot that’s up ... Read the full article
Dominik Hasek received a special saber for being inducted into the Hall of Fame. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – One current Sabre, forward Matt Ellis, played with legendary goalie Dominik Hasek, who was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame prior to Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning inside the First Niagara Center.
Ellis played 16 games as a rookie with Detroit in 2006-07, Hasek’s 15th NHL season. Incredibly, Hasek posted a 2.05 goals-against average and .913 save percentage as 42-year-old that year.
“He was a ... Read the full article
Ville Leino couldn’t skate this morning. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – What the heck is going on with Sabres forward Ville Leino?
Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said the Finn, who left Thursday’s 6-1 loss in Nashville early after experiencing some lightheadedness, was evaluated and came to this morning’s skate.
“He was doing OK and then just before going on the ice he didn’t feel very well again,” Nolan said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning inside the ... Read the full article
