Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres’ Rolston disagrees with Ott’s embellishment penalty

BUFFALO – At the 12:01 mark of the first period in the Sabres’ 2-0 loss to Boston on Sunday, hulking Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara cross-checked Steve Ott, sending the agitator flying into the boards.

Ott hit his head and skated off to the dressing room before returning. But in addition to Chara’s minor penalty, Ott received an unsportsmanlike conduct embellishment penalty.

Did interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston agree?

“No, unless you want to launch ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Regehr hasn’t waived no-trade clause; Vanek doubtful for Tuesday

BUFFALO – Robyn Regehr was simply enjoying a maintenance day from practice this morning. The Sabres defenseman, the subject of trade speculation with Wednesday’s deadline approaching, hasn’t waived his no-trade clause, he said.

Regehr said the media would have to ask general manager Darcy Regier about the plans for his team.

“From there I think we can make our decision,” Regehr said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Regehr couldn’t “say yes or ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Regehr missing from practice

BUFFALO – Cue the trade speculation.

Sabres defenseman Robyn Regher, a 32-year-old veteran among the best rental players believed to be available before Wednesday’s trade deadline, isn’t practicing this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Regehr, an unrestricted free agent following the season, has a no-trade clause, something he waived in 2011 to come to the Sabres. Many believe Regehr would waive it again.

Stay tuned for more details.

Wingers Ville Leino (muscle strain) and ... Read the full article

Bruins send Sabres to fourth straight loss

BUFFALO – In coach Ron Rolston’s mind, the Sabres’ 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday “was probably one of our best games” since he took over the struggling club on an interim basis 40 days ago.

Never mind the Sabres’ fourth straight loss (0-2-2) dropped them to 13^th place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the eighth-place New York Rangers. Forget that Anton Khudobin, a relatively unknown backup goalie, only made ... Read the full article

Leopold’s departure from Sabres creates opportunites for Myers and Pysyk

BUFFALO – Almost a day later, Jordan Leopold’s trade to the St. Louis Blues hadn’t “really processed yet,” Tyler Myers said Sunday morning. As soon as he found out about the deal, a surprised Myers sent Leopold, a mentor and occasional defense partner, a text message wishing him all the best.

“He seemed excited and ready for a new start,” Myers said prior to the Sabres’ 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins inside the First ... Read the full article

Vanek thinks Sabres could deal more players, wants to remain in town

BUFFALO – On Saturday, the struggling Sabres dealt defenseman Jordan Leopold, one of Thomas Vanek’s best friends on the team, to the St. Louis Blues, a move that hardly surprised the winger but “still shocked” him.

“Unfortunately, it’s part of the business,” Vanek said this morning after skating inside the First Niagara Center. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a few more.”

Could Vanek, a franchise cornerstone, be dealt?

Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vanek out again; Rolston mum on starting goalie

BUFFALO – Slick winger Thomas Vanek (muscle strain) will miss his third straight game tonight when the Sabres host the Boston Bruins. Naturally, with their fierce Northeast Division rival in town, tough guy John Scott will dress.

But what about the rest of the lineup?

Backup Jhonas Enroth, who stopped 35 shots in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss to Washington, has played four strong games under Rolston after struggling more than a year. The Swede deserved ... Read the full article

Regier says Sabres could trade top assets before deadline

BUFFALO – Given their 12^th-place standing with Wednesday’s trade deadline approaching, the Sabres must listen to “anything and everything” available to them, general manager Darcy Regier said Saturday after trading veteran defenseman Jordan Leopold.

Yes, that means Regier could envision himself dealing franchise cornerstones like goalie Ryan Miller and captain Jason Pominville.

“I am listening. I have talked to all 30 GMs over the last, if I say week, it certainly ... Read the full article

Sabres blow another third-period lead, fall to Capitals in shootout

BUFFALO – An agitated Ron Rolston mostly offered short, vague answers to questions about the Sabres’ woes following a 4-3 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday before a capacity crowd of 19,070 fans inside the First Niagara Center.

The reeling Sabres had just blown a 3-1 third-period lead, and the interim coach was in no mood to give any insight into their third straight loss.

A sampling:

Almost 20 games into his tenure, ... Read the full article

Regier: Sabres must listen to ‘anything and everything’ with deadline ahead

BUFFALO – Given their weak standing as Wednesday’s trade deadline approaches, the Sabres must listen to “anything and everything” available to them, general manager Darcy Regier.

“I am listening. I have talked to all 30 GMs over the last, if I say week, it certainly takes in all of them,” Regier said tonight prior to the Sabres’ tilt against the Washington Capitals inside the First Niagara Center. “I’ll continue to try to figure out ways ... Read the full article