Matt Ellis (37) battles Florida’s Dmitry Kulikov (7) and Marcel Goc (57) recently. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Matt Ellis scoring, earning Ted Nolan’s respect and regular duty

PITTSBURGH – Matt Ellis had two Buffalo Sabres skating to the crease, so even a few steps inside the blue line, the winger figured lofting a backhander toward Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was a smart move.

To Ellis, getting the puck on net – even the seemingly harmless shots – is one of the simplest ways to increase scoring.

“Coaches tell you from Day One when you pick up a hockey stick that things happen ... Read the full article

The Sabres fired Ron Rolston on Nov. 13. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

What’s former Sabres coach Ron Rolston doing in Tampa Bay?

We haven’t heard much from former coach Ron Rolston since the Buffalo Sabres fired him Nov. 13 amid one of the worst starts in NHL history.

Rolston never spoke to the media. He popped up at a Rochester Americans game in November, presumably to see his friend John Hynes, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins coach.

We’ve only read a short statement Rolston texted to CBC’s Elliotte Friedman shortly after his dismissal.

So why has Rolston been in ... Read the full article

Cody Hodgson has six points in his last six games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson seeing results after using injury time to improve game

BUFFALO – Instead of merely rehabbing, Sabres center Cody Hodgson used his recent hand injury as an opportunity to recharge and revamp his slumping game.

The 23-year-old worked with the team’s skating coach during his eight-game absence. He said he also watched NHL games on TV to study other players.

So far, Hodgson has seen results. In six games since returning, he has three goals and six points entering tonight’s tilt in Columbus against the ... Read the full article

Chad Ruhwedel played seven NHL games last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres send rookie Mark Pysyk to Amerks, recall Chad Ruhwedel

BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres sent defenseman Mark Pysyk to Rochester today. They had to before 5 p.m. so the rookie would be eligible to play during the upcoming Olympic break.

To replace Pysyk, the Sabres recalled Chad Ruhwedel from the Americans.

A “banged-up” Pysyk sat the last two contests. The 22-year-old has one goal and six points in 42 NHL appearances. The Sabres sent him to the AHL for three games last month.... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk has played 42 NHL games this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Decision on Sabres rookie Mark Pysyk likely coming soon

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Mark Pysyk could get assigned to Rochester today.

Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said the team plans to “discuss what’s going to happen” with the rookie.

Teams must send waiver-exempt players who have been on an NHL roster 87 days to the AHL by 5 p.m. so they can play during the Olympic break.

“That’s a little above my pay scale,” Nolan joked today when asked if Pysyk had to go ... Read the full article

Phil Varone (84) spent some of his NHL debut beside Carolina goalie Anton Khudobin. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Phil Varone, family emotional over NHL debut; Sabres fall to Hurricanes

BUFFALO – The voice on the other end of the phone was excited. For a moment, Tony Varone thought his son, Sabres center Phil Varone, had been in a car accident.

“I said, ‘Is everything OK?’” the elder Varone recalled a day later inside the First Niagara Center.

Phil Varone, who nearly shunned the Sabres to play hockey for the University of New Brunswick in 2011, was calling with good news, though.

“He ... Read the full article

Andrej Sekera (4) and Nathan Gerbe left the Sabres after last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabres Nathan Gerbe, Andrej Sekera thriving with Hurricanes

BUFFALO – At first, Nathan Gerbe said, he didn’t understand why the Sabres waived and bought him out in early July. The diminutive winger had no inkling they had given up on him after five seasons.

“I didn’t know it was coming, that’s for sure,” Gerbe said Thursday prior to the Carolina Hurricanes’ 5-3 win inside the First Niagara Center. “No one spoke to me about it. So I think you get a little shocked. ... Read the full article

Phil Varone (84) smiles with Matt Ellis this morning. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Phil Varone set for NHL debut, emotional over first recall

BUFFALO – Phil Varone had no clue why Chadd Cassidy pulled him off the ice Wednesday. The center thought perhaps he had been traded or the Rochester coach just wanted to discuss this weekend’s games.

Nope. Cassidy informed the 23-year-old the Sabres had recalled him.

“When he told me the news, it brought some tears to my eyes,” Varone said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I called my parents right away. It’s ... Read the full article

Drew Stafford (21) celebrates his second goal Tuesday with Christian Ehrhoff. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Drew Stafford feeling good about surging game

BUFFALO – To Sabres winger Drew Stafford, these past two months, highlighted by his current stretch of five goals in his last 10 games, have pulled him “out the abyss.”

Stafford was mired in an awful, career-worst slump when interim coach Ted Nolan replaced Ron Rolston on Nov. 13. The 28-year-old had eight goals in his last 66 games. He had lost his alternate captaincy. His ice time was dwindling.

Emotionally, everything was taking a ... Read the full article

Phil Varone should make his NHL debut tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall from Amerks Phil Varone for first time

BUFFALO – The thinking was the Sabres, with eight defensemen at their disposal, would likely send one to Rochester.

Sure enough, they assigned rookie Brayden McNabb to the AHL with forward Kevin Porter, who’s finally healthy after getting hit into the boards Dec. 21.

But in a surprising move, the Sabres also recalled a youngster Wednesday afternoon, center Phil Varone, the Americans’ leading scorer. The 23-year-old prospect will likely play tonight against the Carolina ... Read the full article