WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Colin Jacobs began playing in the AHL in March. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed forward Colin Jacobs, the 107th overall pick in 2011, to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The 20-year-old compiled 25 goals, 53 points, 98 penalty minutes and a minus-27 rating in 66 games with the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars this season.
The Sabres officially inked Jacobs late tonight, two days before the deadline for signing players drafted in 2011.
Defenseman Alex Lepkowski, a Buffalo native selected ... Read the full article
The Sabres fired Lindy Ruff on Feb. 20. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Not surprisingly, new Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill recently spoke to former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff about his club’s vacancy, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Ruff, arguably the best veteran coach on the market, could speak with Nill more formally soon, the News reported. The 53-year-old Ruff also talked with Tampa Bay not long after his Feb. 20 firing.
The Stars also plan on interviewing Alain Vigneault, who likely ... Read the full article
Brad Richards will be a healthy scratch tonight. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Incredibly, tonight in the New York, with the Rangers down 3-0 to Boston, coach John Tortorella will make alleged star Brad Richards and his $60 million contract a healthy scratch.
Richards, a former Conn Smythe winner with Tampa Bay in 2004, had already been relegated to the fourth line in the Eastern Conference semifinal, a series he has scored zero points.
Believe it or not, less than two years ago, the center was ... Read the full article
John Scott fought seven times in 2012-13. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Late this season, as John Scott began earning a regular shift beside some proven talent, the tough guy promised he would score his long-awaited second NHL goal.
Alas, despite skating more than 10 minutes some nights, Scott couldn’t net his first Sabres goal.
That elusive tally, Scott said Monday, will come next season.
“Oh, definitely, I’m going to get it,” Scott told the Times Herald by phone after the Sabres re-signed him to ... Read the full article
John Scott touches his nose after fighting Toronto’s Frazer McLaren on Feb. 21. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed tough guy John Scott to a one-year contract extension, the club announced this morning.
The 30-year-old, the Sabres’ first designated fighter in years, impressed this season, quickly becoming a local folk hero because of his hulking stature (6-foot-8 and 270 pounds) and fun personality.
Scott defeated Boston bruiser Shawn Thornton handily in late January, sending a message the Sabres wouldn’t be bullied. He fought seven times in 34 games, ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers struggled much of the season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In nearly three months as Sabres coach, Ron Rolston has dealt with Tyler Myers delicately, always offering encouraging words for the struggling franchise defenseman.
“He’s on a really good path right now,” Rolston said last week inside the First Niagara Center, reiterating comments he made throughout the season.
Of course, if Rolston, who shed his interim tag last week, wants to succeed as the franchise’s 16th coach, he needs Myers performing ... Read the full article
Clarke MacArthur scored two goals in two games following two healthy scratches. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – This is one of those special stories hockey fans love hearing about and watching this time of year, some of the moments that make the NHL playoffs so fun and memorable.
Consider Clarke MacArthur’s recent exploits.
Following his postseason debut in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal, the Maple Leafs scratched MacArthur twice, no doubt an embarrassing experience for the assistant captain, who played a whopping 403 regular-season games before finally skating ... Read the full article
James Patrick had coached with the Sabres since 2006-07. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have fired assistant coaches James Patrick and Kevyn Adams, according to multiple reports.
It was believed new Sabres coach Ron Rolston, whose interim tag was removed Tuesday, would make some changes to his staff.
The reports state assistant Teppo Numminen will stay on. The status of goalie coach Jim Corsi is unclear.
Other than one year playing in Europe, Patrick has been a Sabres player or coach since 1998-99. The ... Read the full article
Kevyn Adams (left) was a regular assistant coach for Tyler Ennis and the Sabres since 2011-12 ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have fired assistant coaches James Patrick and Kevyn Adams, according to multiple reports.
It was believed new Sabres coach Ron Rolston, whose interim tag was removed Tuesday, would make some changes to his staff.
The reports state assistant Teppo Numminen will stay on.
Other than one year playing in Europe, Patrick has been a Sabres player or coach since 1998-99. The 49-year-old former defenseman, a top aid of former coach Lindy ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston had never coached in the NHL prior to his Feb. 20 promotion. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Hours after Ron Rolston replaced Lindy Ruff on an interim basis Feb. 20, the new Sabres coach walked into a Toronto hotel and addressed a room full of shocked players.
Most veterans knew nothing about Rolston, a college, junior-age and AHL coach for 23 years. The 46-year-old had never spent one day in the NHL.
“You’re always wondering what’s going to happen when he first comes in,” Sabres winger Steve Ott said ... Read the full article
