WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Thanksgiving Edition
John Scott skates as a defenseman Tuesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A day after Ted Nolan told him to leave the ice for practicing poorly, John Scott said he and the interim Sabres coach are “fine now.”
In fact, the tough guy, a regular winger, played defense Tuesday, his natural position.
“I’m surprised that that happened,” Scott said prior to the Sabres’ 3-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes inside the First Niagara Center. “It was kind of a weird event. I’ve never seen ... Read the full article
Tim Murray chats with the media tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It’s still realistic the Sabres could re-sign franchise goalie Ryan Miller, general manager Tim Murray said. That, however, isn’t “the route we’re looking at right now.”
“We’re looking … to get value for him, to put him in a position to succeed,” Murray, a rookie GM, said tonight inside the First Niagara Center.
The trade deadline’s just eight days away and the rebuilding Sabres, the NHL’s worst team, are looking to deal.
Here ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick hasn’t played since Dec. 14. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Hard-nosed forward Cody McCormick, the Sabres’ most prolific fighter, understands injuries accompany his role.
“For me, I think if you’re not hurt, you’re not really playing in my role,” McCormick said Sunday. “I think everybody that’s in my role is bumped or bruised, something like that.”
McCormick has been hurt most of the season, missing 32 games, including the last 24 with a finger injury.
The 30-year-old will return tonight against ... Read the full article
John Scott was told to leave practice Monday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A day after Ted Nolan told him to leave the ice for practicing poorly, John Scott said he and the interim Sabres coach are “fine now.”
In fact, the tough guy, a regular winger, will play defense tonight, his natural position.
“I’m surprised that that happened,” Scott said about the incident this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “It was kind of a weird event. I’ve never seen that happen before in ... Read the full article
Matt Moulson knows he could be traded. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Trade rumors have dogged Matt Moulson since the Sabres acquired the winger almost four months ago. But with rosters frozen for 16 days during the NHL’s Olympic break, Moulson briefly got away from the noise, rehabbed his rib injury and relaxed a bit.
“It was good to just go home and train and get healthy again and spend some family time,” Moulson said Monday inside the First Niagara Center.
Moulson and the Sabres ... Read the full article
John Scott fights Toronto’s Frazer McLaren on March 21. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – About halfway through this morning’s practice, Sabres tough guy John Scott broke his stick on the boards, left the First Niagara Center ice and stomped down the hallway to the dressing room.
What happened?
Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan ordered Scott off the ice.
“He just fumbled the puck a few times in practice and I didn’t like it,” Nolan said. “In order for us to get better here we have to practice ... Read the full article
Mike Weber is an NHL-worst minus-32 this season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Mike Weber knows the number looks terrible. In 43 games this season, the gritty Sabres defenseman has accumulated a stunning minus-32, the NHL’s 824th and worst rating.
In what was supposed to be his breakout campaign, Weber has become one of the fans’ whipping boys during the worst season in franchise history.
But Weber believes his big minus rating is a bit misleading.
As a defensive defender, the 26-year-old’s never going to ... Read the full article
Steve Ott has repeatedly said he’d like to stay with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Players of Steve Ott’s ilk – tough, versatile leaders with a scoring touch – are precious commodities. That’s why the Sabres captain should be in high demand before the NHL’s March 5 trade deadline. The winger could fetch at least a first-round draft pick.
Ott, an unrestricted free agent following the season, said today he hasn’t had any contact talks. He’s repeatedly said he’d love to stay with the rebuilding Sabres.
But what ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller played just once at the Sochi Games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In what was very likely his final Olympics, Sabres goalie Ryan Miller made just one appearance, coming within 17 seconds of blanking Slovenia in Team USA’s 5-1 win Sunday.
Would things have gone much differently for the Americans, who lost today’s bronze medal game 5-0 to Finland, if Miller had played?
Probably not. Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick won his first three starts at the Sochi Games before Friday’s 1-0 loss to Canada.... Read the full article
Ryan Miller is still in Russia. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ryan Miller won’t have much time to rest after returning from the Sochi Games.
Interim coach Ted Nolan said today Miller will start Tuesday against Carolina, the Sabres’ first game following the Olympic break.
Of course, Miller, having served as Team USA’s backup, is still in Russia. The Americans lost the bronze medal game 5-0 to Finland today.
Miller doesn’t have much time to get acclimated again, but he’ll have more ... Read the full article