WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Thanksgiving Edition
Rasmus Ristolainen has played 30 AHL games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With defenseman Alexander Sulzer out, the Sabres today recalled rookie Rasmus Ristolainen from Rochester.
The 19-year-old should play tonight in New York against the Islanders, his first NHL game since Nov. 15.
Ristolainen, the eighth overall pick in June, compiled one goal and four penalty minutes in 19 games after making the Sabres out of training camp. He played one game under interim coach Ted Nolan before the Sabres sent him to the ... Read the full article
Zenon Konopka has a line of wines. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Zenon Konopka has worked with Stop Concussions, former NHL star Keith Primeau’s foundation, for years. So the center wanted to get involved locally after the Sabres claimed him off waivers in January.
The native of nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., said he’s met some unbelievable local doctors “doing some great things with concussions, especially with young kids.”
To help out with concussions and other causes, Konopka, who has a line of wines available at zkwines.com... Read the full article
Drew Stafford (21) and Cory Conacher (88) skate beside Nashville goalie Carter Hutton on Tuesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It was just about Ted Nolan’s only option for another goal. So the interim Sabres coach kept utilizing his top line throughout Tuesday’s disappointing 4-1 loss to Nashville.
Scorching winger Drew Stafford, who scored the Sabres’ lone goal on the power play, skated a season-high 23 minutes. Slick center Tyler Ennis played a team-high 24:17. Winger Cory Conacher skated a season-high 19:47.
“There was only one line basically going,” Nolan said ... Read the full article
Nick Petrecki played one NHL game last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
With veteran defenseman and captain Drew Bagnall out for the season, the Rochester Americans today acquired Nick Petrecki on loan from the San Jose Sharks.
The 24-year-old Petrecki has one goal, three points and 54 penalty minutes with the AHL Worchester Sharks this season. The defenseman played one NHL game with San Jose last season.
Petrecki, 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, has eight goals, 46 points and 531 penalty minutes in 277 career AHL games. The ... Read the full article
Nashville’s Paul Gaustad fights Zenon Konopka on Tuesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Three straight losses. Two total goals. One team searching for confidence.
The rebuilding Sabres have become a mess again without the veterans they traded before the NHL’s trade deadline.
“We have what we have,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. “We got to work through it. We got to get better.”
In Tuesday’s boring 4-1 loss inside the First Niagara Center, they generated little against the Nashville Predators, sprinkling only 24 shots on ... Read the full article
Pete Weber before Tuesday’s game. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Just 33 days after suffering a heart attack, veteran play-by-play man Pete Weber is calling games again. Incredibly, the Nashville Predators’ 4-1 win Tuesday inside the First Niagara Center was the former Sabres broadcaster’s seventh contest back.
Sitting in his booth about two hours before faceoff, the affable Weber, a popular Buffalo sports voice in the 1980s and 1990s, recalled the scary day.
“Right people, right time and right location,” said Weber, whose ... Read the full article
Chris Stewart has played two games with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In his second appearance Thursday, winger Chris Stewart wowed interim coach Ted Nolan, adding some much-needed size and grit to the Sabres.
But Stewart collided with Tampa Bay goalie Anders Lindback late in the Sabres’ 3-1 win, injuring his right ankle.
The 26-year-old’s season is likely over, Nolan said.
“Stewart doesn’t look good right now,” he said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “There’s only five weeks left in the year. I ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford (right) batttles Chicago’s Jonathan Toews on Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – About 15 Sabres gathered at a Tampa Bay restaurant Wednesday and nervously watched TSN’s coverage of the NHL trade deadline, unsure what their futures held.
“It was definitely a little stressful, a little anxiety involved,” said Sabres winger Drew Stafford, one veteran rumored to be on the block.
Stomachs churned and filled with butterflies staring at the screen. Everything can change in an instant.
“You’re watching and you’re seeing these guys on ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan could become the Sabres’ permanent coach soon. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan should be returning to the Sabres next season.
The interim coach said Monday his representative is handling a new contract with Sabres general manager Tim Murray.
“I guess he and Tim will be talking soon if (they haven’t) talked already,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators. “It’s formalities and getting things ironed out and doing all the legal stuff. ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan returned to the Sabres in November. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan sounds like he will be returning to the Sabres next season.
The interim coach said this afternoon his representative is handling a new contract with Sabres general manager Tim Murray.
“I guess he and Tim will be talking soon if not talked already,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s formalities and getting things ironed out and doing all the legal stuff. … We’ll leave it in their hands for ... Read the full article