Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres assistant Joe Sacco on years as Avalanche head coach: ‘good memories’

BUFFALO – Joe Sacco wasn’t sure what he would feel watching the Colorado Avalanche, his old team, play the rebuilding Sabres on Saturday inside the First Niagara Center.

Ron Rolston’s top assistant coach spent eight seasons coaching in the Colorado organization, the last four as the Avs’ head coach.

“That’s a long time with one organization,” Sacco said prior to the Sabres’ 4-2 loss. “I have a lot of friends that are still there and ... Read the full article

Patrick Roy surprised Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko struggling in NHL

BUFFALO – Colorado Avalanche coach Patrick Roy called talking about struggling Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko “a touchy subject.”

“I haven’t seen too many games,” Roy, who had the 19-year-old two junior seasons, said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “It would be very unfair by me to make some comments on it.”

But having coached Grigorenko 114 games with the Quebec Remparts, Roy might know the Russian better than anyone in North America.

So ... Read the full article

Sabres’ lineup against Avalanche unclear; Nikita Zadorov could debut

BUFFALO – Since the Sabres had an optional skate this morning, you’ll have to wait until tonight to see their lineup against the upstart Colorado Avalanche.

This much is known: Cody McCormick, who blocked a shot in Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Vancouver, is out. The forward is day-to-day, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.

Winger Zemgus Girgensons, who took a shot off his face Tuesday, will return after a one-game absence. The rookie has ditched ... Read the full article

Struggling Sabres make rookies dance; Nikita Zadorov to make NHL debut soon

BUFFALO – One by one they danced, each Sabres rookie taking a turn at center ice as teammates laughed and cheered following Friday’s practice inside the First Niagara Center.

Johan Larsson showcased, well, all sorts of crazy moves, including some breakdancing. Zemgus Girgensons twerked like Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards.

“Twerking on skates, that’ll be the first time,” Sabres winger Tyler Ennis said.

When you’re 1-7-1 and hours removed from a shutout ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta ‘cool’ with Matt Cooke’s offer to help reform style

BUFFALO – Sabres agitator Patrick Kaleta never expected Minnesota’s Matt Cooke, whose history of dirty hits once threatened to end his career, would reach out following his 10-game suspension for hitting Columbus’ Jack Johnson in the head last week.

But the reformed Cooke has offered to help Kaleta refine his game after his second ban in 21 games and fourth in four seasons.

“It’s cool, because as you know, I don’t really expect to ... Read the full article

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 16^th 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

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

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

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

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