Nikita Zadorov hurt his thumb during the preseason finale. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Nikita Zadorov to make NHL debut soon; Rookies partake in ‘dance-off’ at end of practice

BUFFALO – Get ready to see the sixth rookie skate for the Sabres this season.

Russian defenseman Nikita Zadorov, the 16th overall pick in June, will make his NHL debut soon, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.

The 18-year-old Zadorov, out since hurting his finger during the preseason finale, has been practicing with the Sabres.

“He’s getting there,” Rolston said about Zadorov’s recovery following practice today inside the First Niagara Center.

When will Zadorov, ... Read the full article

Brian Flynn skates Thursday with Vancouver’s David Booth in pursuit. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres start meekly again, get blanked by Canucks

BUFFALO – Nine games into what is quickly becoming the worst season in the Sabres’ 43-year history, the hapless team appears finished.

In Thursday’s feeble 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, the Sabres (1-7-1) showcased more of what makes them arguably the NHL’s worst team: terrible starts, a porous defense and no goal scoring.

So much for building on Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout triumph over the Islanders, the Sabres’ only win this season.

Where’s their frustration ... Read the full article

Cody McCormick skates Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Cody McCormick impressing again after brief AHL stint

BUFFALO – Their paths never crossed last season. Hours before the Sabres promoted Ron Rolston from Rochester on Feb. 20, they waived Cody McCormick. As Rolston was starting his NHL career the next day, the gritty forward was beginning his first AHL stint since 2010.

But McCormick’s 28-game stay in Rochester didn’t signal the end of his Sabres career. In the summer, general manager Darcy Regier said the 30-year-old likely wouldn’t clear waivers again.... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons practices this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson doesn’t want to revisit past; Zemgus Girgensons out

BUFFALO – About 16 media members, most of them from Vancouver, surrounded Sabres center Cody Hodgson this morning.

The Canucks, of course, traded Hodgson on Feb. 27, 2012 amid speculation his relationship with the team had soured, he wanted more playing time and his father had become too involved in his hockey affairs.

Naturally, Hodgson didn’t want to talk about any of that.

“I’m happy to be here for the next six years,” Hodgson, who ... Read the full article

Zack Kassian spent time with Rochester in 2011-12. ©2013, Michelene Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Ex-Sabres prospect Zack Kassian trying to establish himself with Canucks

BUFFALO – Twenty months later, there’s no decisive winner in the Cody Hodgson-Zack Kassian deal, the shocker the Sabres and Vancouver Canucks pulled off before the 2012 NHL trade deadline.

Teams rarely swap high first-round picks during their rookie seasons. So the debate might go on for years in the two hockey-mad cities.

“That’s hockey,” Kassian, who will play his first game back in Buffalo tonight at the First Niagara Center, told the Vancouver ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta has already served three games of his suspension. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Report: Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta appealing 10-game suspension

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta will be appealing his 10-game suspension, TSN’s Bob McKenzie tweeted this afternoon.

Kaleta consulted with his agent and the NHL Players’ Association following Tuesday’s suspension, according to McKenzie.

The 27-year-old agitator has already served three games for his illegal check to Jack Johnson’s head in Thursday’s 4-1 loss to Columbus.

Kaleta has been suspended four times since 2009-10 and twice in his last 21 games.

The appeal ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta has four career suspensions. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

NHL levels 10-game suspension on Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta for hit to head

BUFFALO – The NHL slapped a 10-game suspension on Sabres agitator Patrick Kaleta on Tuesday for an illegal check to Jack Johnson’s head last week.

In banning Kaleta, NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan cited three previous suspensions and three fines, including a five-game ban for cross-checking the New York Rangers’ Brad Richards head-first into the boards just 21 games ago.

Kaleta will forfeit $153,439.00 during the suspension. The 27-year-old has already served three games and ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta has already served two games of his suspension. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

NHL suspends Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta 10 games for hit to head

BUFFALO – The NHL slammed Sabres agitator Patrick Kaleta with a 10-game suspension today for an illegal check to Jack Johnson’s head in Thursday’s 4-1 loss to Columbus.

In banning Kaleta, NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan cited three previous suspensions and three fines, including a five-game ban for cross-checking the New York Rangers’ Brad Richards head-first into the boards just 21 games ago.

Kaleta will forfeit $153,439.00 during the suspension. The 27-year-old has already served ... Read the full article

The Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko (blue) fights his ex-teammate, Minnesota’s Jason Pominville, for the puck Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Wild’s Jason Pominville burns old teammates, helps keep Sabres winless

BUFFALO – In their seventh consecutive loss to open the season, a 2-1 setback to the Minnesota Wild on Monday, the hapless Sabres showcased some improvement before the 18,111 fans inside the First Niagara Center.

Yes, the defeat tied the franchise mark for worst-ever start. Yes, their feeble offense mustered only one goal again, raising their NHL-low total to seven.

But, hey, the Sabres, who began the night allowing a stunning 37 shots a ... Read the full article

Jason Pominville had never skated in the First Niagara Center as an opponent before Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabres captain Jason Pominville happy about new chapter with Wild

BUFFALO – Once the initial shock of getting traded to the Minnesota Wild in April started wearing off, former Sabres captain Jason Pominville said he “really took a step back” and began examining his new gig.

Pominville was leaving a team beginning a rebuilding process for the upstart Wild, a club constructed to win the Stanley Cup immediately.

The Wild had just signed stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to huge twin contracts. Many believed ... Read the full article