WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Linus Omark’s Sabres career lasted 13 games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres terminated winger Linus Omark’s contract today, freeing the Swede to go play in Europe again.
The flashy 27-year-old, who had a one-year, $600,000 contract, went unclaimed after the team unconditionally waived him Monday.
Omark will almost certainly return to Europe, where he’s played six of his nine professional seasons. Having been traded or let go from the NHL’s two worst teams, his North American career is likely over.
He ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan’s team beat Switzerland today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Which game will you be watching?
Wednesday at noon, Ted Nolan’s underdog Latvia squad, fresh off today’s huge 3-1 upset of Switzerland, will play mighty Team Canada in quarterfinal action at the Sochi Games. At the same time, Team USA will face the Czech Republic.
Some Canadian Sabres fans might be torn watching their country play against Nolan, Buffalo’s popular interim coach.
Nolan has helped make the hardworking Latvians one of Sochi’s best stories. ... Read the full article
Linus Omark’s contract will likely be terminated. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres today placed winger Linus Omark, who hasn’t accepted his assignment to Rochester, on unconditional waivers, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
That likely means the 27-year-old’s contract will be terminated and he will return to Europe. The Swede’s available for $125.
Omark, acquired for a conditional sixth-round draft pick from Edmonton on Dec. 19, disappointed in 13 games, compiling just two assists while becoming a regular healthy scratch. The Sabres ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller has been the No. 2 goalie so far these Olympics. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will make his first start at the Sochi Games today against Slovenia, Team USA announced this morning.
It was widely expected Miller, Jonathan Quick’s backup for two games, would get this nod. Quick has played strongly so far, backstopping the U.S. to two wins, including Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 shootout triumph over Russia.
Miller brilliantly backstopped the Americans to a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games while earning tournament MVP ... Read the full article
The Sabres waived Linus Omark last week. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
The Rochester Americans returned from the AHL All-Star break Friday without winger Linus Omark, who still hasn’t reported to the club after getting waived by the Buffalo Sabres.
What’s going on? His agent, Kevin Epp, told the Buffalo News all options – Buffalo, Rochester and Europe – are still on the table for the vacationing Swede.
Realistically, though, Omark is likely finished with the Sabres organization.
Now, a report from NDS, a ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan helped Latvia reach the Sochi Games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Back in 2011, Ted Nolan had briefly returned to professional hockey as Rochester’s general manager, when one day his friend phoned unexpectedly.
“Ted,” the friend asked, “are you interested in going to Latvia?”
Nolan was stunned. He hadn’t coached since leaving the New York Islanders in 2008. He couldn’t even point out Latvia on a map.
“I said, ‘Where is it?’” the interim Sabres coach recalled last week inside the First Niagara Center.... Read the full article
Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick will start Thursday’s Team USA opener. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Olympic coach Dan Bylsma promised last week during Pittsburgh’s visit to Buffalo sentimentality wouldn’t factor in picking Team USA’s starting goalie for the Sochi Games.
Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, who brilliantly backstopped the Americans to a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games, wouldn’t be given the job simply based on past exploits.
Sure enough, Bylsma has named Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick his starting netminder for Thursday’s opener against Slovakia.
It’s not that surprising, ... Read the full article
Linus Omark could go to the AHL. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Winger Linus Omark cleared waivers today, according to CBC’s Elliotte Friedman.
It’s unclear if the 27-year-old, who had zero goals and two assists in 13 games with the Sabres, will be assigned to Rochester.
Update: Omark will join the Americans after the AHL All-Star break.
Omark spent most of this season with AHL Oklahoma city, compiling 15 goals and 29 points in 29 games before Edmonton sent him to Buffalo for a ... Read the full article
Linus Omark (17) fends off Florida’s Aleksander Barkov on Jan. 21. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a move that might signal the end of his NHL career, the Sabres today waived winger Linus Omark, who had zero goals and two assists in 13 games.
They also sent defenseman Chad Ruhwedel and forward Phil Varone to Rochester.
The 27-year-old Omark, acquired from Edmonton for a conditional sixth-round draft pick Dec. 19, never impressed Ted Nolan much. The interim coach scratched the speedy Swede eight times, including Thursday’s ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno has one goals in his last 19 games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Not surprisingly, the Buffalo Sabres will change up their lineup tonight in Ottawa against the Senators, inserting forwards Zenon Konopka and Ville Leino, healthy scratches the last two games, for Marcus Foligno and Linus Omark.
Foligno, a fourth-liner the last two games, has zero goals in the last six games and just one score in 19 contests.
“He’s a young player,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters today in Ottawa. “He ... Read the full article