T.J. Brennan played 21 games with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabres prospect T.J. Brennan feeling comfortable with Panthers

BUFFALO – Ron Rolston’s Feb. 20 promotion to the Sabres as interim coach meant more comfort for T.J. Brennan, who was playing sparingly under Lindy Ruff. The 23-year-old had just spent almost two seasons thriving under Rolston in Rochester, developing into one of the AHL’s slickest defenseman.

“(Rolston) knew my style and knew my type of play,” Brennan said by phone Wednesday. “I think that was a good change for me. But, I guess, at ... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk has played five games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Which Sabres player should Rolston sit against Panthers?

While interim Buffalo Sabres coach Ron Rolston wouldn’t confirm it, defenseman Andrej Sekera, out the last five games, essentially told reporters in Florida he planned to play tonight against the Panthers following a five-game absence.

Slick winger Thomas Vanek (muscle strain) is out and struggling winger Drew Stafford, a healthy scratch the last two games, will return, Rolston told reporters.

Assuming Sekera returns, what should the Sabres do? Should Rolston simply sit ... Read the full article

Patrcik Rissmiller had been playing on a tryout contract. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Amerks ink veteran Rissmiller to AHL contract

BUFFALO – The Rochester Americans signed forward Patrick Rissmiller, a veteran of 192 NHL games, to an AHL contract today.

The 34-year-old had been playing on a professional tryout contract he inked Feb. 2.

Rissmiller has two goals, 11 points and six penalty minutes in 16 games with the Amerks.

He has 18 goals, 46 points and 60 penalty minutes in NHL stints with San Jose, the New York Rangers, Atlanta and Florida. He ... Read the full article

The Sabres’ poor perforance Tuesday frustrated Ron Rolston. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ wretched play frustrates Rolston

It was John Tortorella-esque.

In his 35th day on the job following his 16th game, the Buffalo Sabres’ futility finally got to interim coach Ron Rolston.

After the Sabres’ uninspired 2-1 loss Tuesday in Tampa Bay to the Lightning, a game in which they sprinkled only 14 shots on journeyman goalie Mathieu Garon, Rolston sounded like the New York Rangers’ bench boss.

In his brief chat with the media, Rolston replied ... Read the full article

Jon Cooper spent three seasons in the AHL. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Yzerman insists Ruff wasn’t on Lightning’s radar

Sure enough, former Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was immediately linked to the first opening since his Feb. 20 dismissal, the Tampa Bay Lightning job.

Ultimately, general manager Steve Yzerman promoted Jon Cooper from the Lightning’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse today to replace Guy Boucher.

But how much did Yzerman, who hired Ruff as an assistant coach as GM of Team Canada’s 2010 Olympic entry, pursue him?

“To be perfectly honest with you, I called ... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk (53) battled Toronto’s James van Riemsdyk on Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Mark Pysyk quickly earning keep on blue line

MONTREAL – Earlier this season, rookie Mark Pysyk, the same defense prospect now playing almost 16 minutes a game for the Buffalo Sabres, sat as a healthy scratch in the AHL three times.

“I just needed a little wake-up call,” Pysyk said Saturday inside the Bell Centre prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 win, his fourth NHL game.

When interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston benched Pysyk with the Rochester Americans in December, the odds of ... Read the full article

Chris Kaleta played two games with the Cincinnati Cyclones. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta proud of younger brother Chris’ pro hockey debut

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta couldn’t wipe the grin off his face while talking about his 25-year-old brother’s recent professional debut with the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Chris Kaleta, a Division III star with Cortland, played with the ECHL club March 15 and 16. Fifteen goals and 28 points in 24 games during his senior season earned the forward some notice.

“Going in, he knew he was probably only going to get two games,” Patrick ... Read the full article

Ryan Miller made 38 saves Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Tight win over Canadiens has Sabres back in playoff chase

MONTREAL – This one could’ve gotten ugly early as the Buffalo Sabres bumbled around their own zone and the Canadiens kept relentlessly applying pressure.

Somehow, though, the Habs missed a slew of prime chances during the first period Saturday.

If they didn’t misfire in front of Ryan Miller, the franchise goalie gobbled it up. His play and a little luck kept the Sabres in the game.

Just a few weeks ago, the struggling team might’ve ... Read the full article

Drew Stafford battled Clarke MacArthur (16) in his last appearance Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Slumping Stafford benched as Gerbe returns for Sabres

MONTREAL – In just 32 days on the job, interim coach Ron Rolston has quickly put his mark on the Buffalo Sabres, scratching five regular forwards.

Prior to Saturday, struggling winger Drew Stafford had escaped a benching, only receiving some fourth-line duty for his poor play. With a two-goal effort last Saturday and the shootout-tying score Thursday, it appeared the assistant captain would keep dressing.

But Stafford, who has only four goals and a ... Read the full article

Drew Stafford has struggled all season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Struggling Stafford to sit tonight as Gerbe returns for Sabres

MONTREAL – Naturally, getting benched for tonight’s game against the Canadiens is disappointing, Drew Stafford said. The struggling Buffalo Sabres winger, who has only four goals in 31 games this season, hasn’t been a healthy scratch in years.

But the 27-year-old veteran, an assistant captain, understands why interim coach Ron Rolston will sit him.

“I mean, it’s no secret I haven’t been getting on the score sheet,” Stafford said this afternoon following Buffalo’s skate ... Read the full article