WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Brayden McNabb has sat the last two games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Defenseman Brayden McNabb, a healthy scratch the last two games, will play tonight for the Rochester Americans before returning to the Sabres.
Sitting long isn’t good for the 22-year-old, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. The Amerks host the Utica Comets tonight.
“The greatest thing about having the Rochester Americans so close he can go down and play,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “He sat out ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno has been skating on the fourth line recently. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Marcus Foligno said Ted Nolan could’ve easily demoted him to the fourth line without an explanation. But a straightforward, face-to-face chat accompanied the struggling young winger’s move.
“Marcus is a big, powerful forward,” the Sabres’ interim coach said Tuesday following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “I told him he was just big, he wasn’t powerful. He wasn’t hitting anybody. He wasn’t using his size to his advantage.”
So in slashing his minutes, ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko could be playing somewhere else soon. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres are “discussing all possibilities” to find 19-year-old prospect Mikhail Grigorenko playing time, interim coach Ted Nolan said Tuesday.
That means the Sabres could loan the center, a healthy scratch the last two games, to Russia for the world junior championship later this month if he’s invited. He could also get sent back to the junior Quebec Remparts.
“We’re not 100 percent sure what we’re going to do,” Nolan said following practice ... Read the full article
Brian Flynn plays the game cleanly. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The streak ended 4:57 into the third period of the Sabres’ 1-0 overtime loss Saturday.
In his 53rd NHL game, forward Brian Flynn was whistled for hooking New Jersey’s Steve Bernier, his first NHL penalty.
How did Flynn, who takes a regular shift, avoid getting penalized until his second NHL season?
“I don’t know, probably because I’m not that physical,” Flynn said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “That’s how most ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko (25) could get loaned to Russia. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres are “discussing all possibilities” to find 19-year-old prospect Mikhail Grigorenko playing time, interim coach Ted Nolan said.
That means the Sabres could loan the center, a healthy scratch the last two games, to Russia for the world junior championship later this month if he’s invited. He could also get sent back to the junior Quebec Remparts.
“We’re not 100 percent sure what we’re going to do,” Nolan said this afternoon following ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth has only one win this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Right now, Jhonas Enroth’s frustration extends beyond losing games with the Sabres. The backup goalie is also losing ground in his battle to earn a spot on Sweden’s Olympic roster for the upcoming Sochi Games.
“Personally, other Swedish goalies are winning right now,” Enroth said Monday following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s all stressing me out actually a little bit, not too much. Obviously, you think about the Olympics and you ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno (82) threw a knockout punch Saturday, ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Marcus Foligno wanted to make sure Ryan Carter was OK. So the Sabres winger stopped punching after landing a big knockout blow to his opponent’s face Saturday in New Jersey.
“I’d say it’s just a little caution,” Foligno, who stayed with Carter for a few moments following the fight, said Monday inside the First Niagara Center. “You hit a guy that hard, I felt it, too. You just caught him in the right ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno said he caught Ryan Carter “in the right area.” ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Marcus Foligno wanted to make sure Ryan Carter was OK. So the Sabres winger stopped punching after landing a big knockout blow to his opponent’s face Saturday in New Jersey.
“I’d say it’s just a little caution,” Foligno, who stayed with Carter for a few moments following the fight, said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “You hit a guy that hard, I felt it, too. You just caught him in the ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick usually works with Dawn Braid in the summer. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Before they could even begin practicing this morning, Ted Nolan wanted the Sabres to “fine tune” a little bit, “revisit things they used to do,” the interim coach said.
So for about 45 minutes on the First Niagara Center ice, Dawn Braid, the Sabres’ skating coach, put most of team through a series of non-traditional drills.
“Some of the things they used to do when they’re younger they don’t quite do it as ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov has played well since returning to London. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Some quick updates on the rookies the Buffalo Sabres’ new regime reassigned to the AHL and junior Nov. 19.
Not surprisingly, the youngsters are thriving outside the NHL. You think these prospects should’ve been sent down earlier?
Johan Larsson, winger, Rochester Americans
The 22-year-old Swede, who had one assist in 17 NHL games, has two goals and seven points in six AHL games as winger beside center Kevin Porter and rookie Joel Armia. ... Read the full article
