WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Thanksgiving Edition
The Sabres acquired Matt Moulson on Oct. 27. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Buffalo Sabres winger Matt Moulson isn’t on the ice this morning for the team’s skate in Dallas, according to reports.
It’s very possible the Sabres are working on a deal. The 30-year-old, an unrestricted free agent following the season, is expected to be traded before Wednesday’s deadline.
Update: Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters in Dallas the skate was optional and Moulson will play tonight.
Sabres general manager Tim Murray said Sunday he didn’t ... Read the full article
Ted Black (left) and Tim Murray discuss the Sabres’ tumultuous weekend Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A Sabres icon bolted less than four months after returning to the team he loved. The franchise goalie and captain got traded.
The Sabres just endured perhaps the most trying weekend in their 43-year history. That was before the popular coach sounded like he might want to leave.
“It’s a lot for our fans to swallow in a short amount of time,” Sabres president Ted Black said Sunday, a day after Pat LaFontaine ... Read the full article
Chris Stewart tries to score on Jaroslav Halak during their first Sabres practice Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – They’re only human, you know. Leaving the St. Louis Blues, a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, for the rebuilding Sabres wasn’t easy at first for goalie Jaroslav Halak and winger Chris Stewart.
But the veterans, part of Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller-Steve Ott deal, have accepted they’re now playing for the NHL’s worst team, at least temporarily.
Rumors are swirling the Sabres will flip them before Wednesday’s trade deadline. Halak, an unrestricted free agent ... Read the full article
Ted Black (left) and Tim Murray address the media this afternoon. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres president Ted Black understands Pat LaFontaine’s stunning resignation as president of hockey operations creates uncertainty for a team that had finally seemed to stabilize itself.
“It’s something that fans are going to be upset by,” Black said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center, a day after LaFontaine abruptly bolted from the organization after less than four months.
Still, Black said, LaFontaine was only one person.
“I don’t know if it impacts ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan has talked about a contract extension with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Pat LaFontaine’s resignation as the Sabres’ president of hockey operations has rocked interim coach Ted Nolan, his close friend.
“It’s tough,” an emotional Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I don’t even want to think about it right now, to tell you the truth. It’s that tough.”
Nolan hasn’t spoken to LaFontaine in the past couple of days and called his departure a “big surprise.”
“Everyone knows what kind ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth will play most of the games down the stretch. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ryan Miller is gone. Jaroslav Halak, the goalie the Sabres received in Friday’s blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Blues, will be an unrestricted free agent following the season. He could be dealt within days.
For now, Jhonas Enroth, Miller’s backup for three seasons, will shoulder the load down the stretch, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.
The 25-year-old Swede finally has an opportunity to become a No. 1 goalie.
“If you ... Read the full article
Former Sabres captain Steve Ott stands in front of goalie Jaroslav Halak, who Buffalo acquired Friday, earlier this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It was a normal Sabres game night. Players were preparing for their warm-up Friday. Ted Nolan had held pregame his meeting and talked about his plan for the San Jose Sharks.
Then the interim coach saw Joe Battista, the team’s vice president of hockey-related business, coming around the corner.
Battista informed Nolan that goalie Ryan Miller, the scheduled starter, shouldn’t go out for the warm-up.
“I think we got a deal for him,” ... Read the full article
Pat LaFontaine (left) shakes Tim Murray’s hand Jan. 9. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a stunning development, Sabres legend Pat LaFontaine, the team’s president of hockey operations less than four months, resigned today.
LaFontaine will return to the job he had with the NHL.
According to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie, the last straw for LaFontaine was Friday’s blockbuster deal in which the Sabres sent Ryan Miller to the St. Louis Blues.
LaFontaine wanted to give the 33-year-old Miller an extension. New general manager Tim Murray, who LaFontaine ... Read the full article
Pat LaFontaine joined the Sabres again Nov. 13. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – What’s going on in the front office? Could president of hockey operations Pat LaFontaine be leaving the Sabres after less than four months on the job?
TSN’s Bob McKenzie first reported rumors of a potential shakeup in the executive suite this afternoon, then followed up by naming LaFontaine specifically.
Could it be related to Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller trade? Or could it be related to interim coach Ted Nolan, someone LaFontaine brought ... Read the full article
The Sabres acquired William Carrier on Friday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Goalie Jaroslav Halak and winger Chris Stewart, the established NHL players the Sabres received in Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller-Steve Ott trade with the St. Louis Blues, are relatively well known.
Halak has played 260 games and backstopped Montreal to the 2010 Eastern Conference final. Stewart has 115 goals, including a 28-score season in 2010-11.
But what about 6-foot-2, 196-pound forward William Carrier, the 19-year-old prospect the Sabres also received? The Blues selected ... Read the full article