Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres keep Rolston to coach rebuilding club

BUFFALO – When Darcy Regier promoted Ron Rolston to interim coach Feb. 20, the Sabres general manager originally planned to interview other candidates following the season.

But as the campaign progressed, Regier noticed Rolston’s motivating and teaching talents. That the Sabres finished 12^th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs didn’t matter.

Regier wanted Rolston, a noted talent developer, to take over the young, rebuilding club.

He never spoke to anyone else.... Read the full article

Sabres name Rolston 16th coach in franchise history

BUFFALO – The Sabres today named Ron Rolston, the team’s interim coach since Feb. 20, the 16^th coach in franchise history.

The 46-year-old went 15-11-5 after taking over for Lindy Ruff. The Sabres summoned him from Rochester, where he had led the AHL Americans since 2011-12.

Rolston and Sabres general manager Darcy Regier, who said last week he would decide Rolston’s future quickly, plan to address the media at 11 a.m. inside the ... Read the full article

Upstart Leafs used Sabres’ abandoned philosophies as blueprint to success

TORONTO – Think about it, Buffalo Sabres fans, a couple of years ago, your team switched identities with the hated, mega-market Maple Leafs.

As the small-market Sabres morphed into a free-spending, win-at-all-costs club under new owner Terry Pegula, the Leafs began embracing development and patience, the Sabres’ old and successful philosophies.

The Leafs’ major volte-face has quickly paid off. They finished fifth this season, their highest spot since 2003-04.

Inside a noisy Air Canada Centre ... Read the full article

McCormick hopeful of return to Sabres following strong Amerks stint

ROCHESTER – In an instant, Cody McCormick vanished from the NHL.

On Feb. 20, the struggling Buffalo Sabres waived the gritty forward mid-practice, then immediately yanked him from the ice, a demeaning exit for a popular veteran who fought 26 times during his 139-game tenure.

McCormick then showered, left the First Niagara Center and went home. He reported to the Americans after clearing waivers the next day, his first AHL stint since 2009-10.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Girgensons dynamic during Amerks’ short playoff run

ROCHESTER – Interim Americans coach Chadd Cassidy called the AHL a “man’s league,” and, well, Zemgus Girgensons is still a kid, just 19 years old.

As a teenage rookie, Girgensons was supposed to play a supporting role during the Amerks’ first-round playoff series against the powerhouse Toronto Marlies. The Latvian winger scored only six goals in 61 regular-season games this year.

But Girgensons, a hard-hitting prospect the Buffalo Sabres moved up to select 14^th... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Grigorenko ‘tired mentally’ after marathon season ends with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Nine months, three leagues and about 90 games later, Mikhail Grigorenko’s whirlwind season is over.

Each stop – the QMJHL, the NHL and finally the AHL – energized the 18-year-old Russian, who just joined the Americans for their first-round playoff series.

Still, after Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Toronto Marlies eliminated the Amerks, the center acknowledged the long campaign had worn him out.

“A little bit I’m tired mentally,” Grigorenko said inside ... Read the full article

Stafford wants to remain with Sabres despite struggles

BUFFALO – For some perspective on Drew Stafford’s disappointing six-goal, 18-point season, consider the winger compiled seven goals and 17 points during a torrid 12-game stretch late last year.

Stafford assembled his awful numbers in 46 contests this season. The 27-year-old scored his first goal in the Sabres’ 15^th game. He was a healthy scratch twice. Rookie Brian Flynn equaled his goal output in 20 fewer appearances.

Remember, Stafford scored 32 times ... Read the full article

Regier warns Sabres’ Stanley Cup goal ‘may require some suffering’

BUFFALO – The Sabres want their rabid fan base to understand something, general manager Darcy Regier said. The organization’s new philosophy – one that embraces building for a Stanley Cup, not simply making the playoffs – could require some suffering.

“We have gone with more determination in a very distinct direction, which is about the Stanley Cup,” Regier said Monday during a contentious and even bizarre 46-minute season-ending news conference inside the First Niagara Center. ... Read the full article

Sabres president Black grilled at season-ending news conference

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ season-ending news conference Monday started innocently enough.

Sabres president Ted Black said Darcy Regier would be returning as general manager. Regier talked about interim coach Ron Rolston’s future, which will be determined later.

But that tranquility only lasted briefly. The atmosphere inside the cramped First Niagara Center press room quickly became contentious.

Within minutes, reporters started hammering Black on the Sabres’ decision to announce their 4 percent season-ticket increase on Friday, ... Read the full article

Regier wants Sabres fans to know Stanley Cup goal could cause ‘suffering’

“We have gone with more determination in a very distinct direction, which is about the Stanley Cup,” Regier said this afternoon during a contentious and even bizarre 46-minute season-ending news conference inside the First Niagara ... Read the full article