WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Training Camp Edition
Marcus Foligno said he caught Ryan Carter “in the right area.” ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Marcus Foligno wanted to make sure Ryan Carter was OK. So the Sabres winger stopped punching after landing a big knockout blow to his opponent’s face Saturday in New Jersey.
“I’d say it’s just a little caution,” Foligno, who stayed with Carter for a few moments following the fight, said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “You hit a guy that hard, I felt it, too. You just caught him in the ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick usually works with Dawn Braid in the summer. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Before they could even begin practicing this morning, Ted Nolan wanted the Sabres to “fine tune” a little bit, “revisit things they used to do,” the interim coach said.
So for about 45 minutes on the First Niagara Center ice, Dawn Braid, the Sabres’ skating coach, put most of team through a series of non-traditional drills.
“Some of the things they used to do when they’re younger they don’t quite do it as ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov has played well since returning to London. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Some quick updates on the rookies the Buffalo Sabres’ new regime reassigned to the AHL and junior Nov. 19.
Not surprisingly, the youngsters are thriving outside the NHL. You think these prospects should’ve been sent down earlier?
Johan Larsson, winger, Rochester Americans
The 22-year-old Swede, who had one assist in 17 NHL games, has two goals and seven points in six AHL games as winger beside center Kevin Porter and rookie Joel Armia. ... Read the full article
Patrick Kaleta was supposed to be back with the Sabres next week. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Agitating winger Patrick Kaleta, who was trying to develop a calmer style in the minors following a series of NHL suspensions, tore his right ACL Friday and is done for the season, according to the Buffalo News.
Here’s the kicker, though: Kaleta was going to be recalled from Rochester on Monday, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters today in New Jersey.
“We were going to bring him up after the ... Read the full article
Luke Adam shows some frustration after being denied a goal Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Winger Luke Adam believes he should’ve scored “a couple more” goals in the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime triumph Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“But I won’t complain with one,” Adam said after scoring his first goal in his fourth NHL game this season.
Adam, who had three or four strong scoring chances near the net Wednesday, finally converted against the Leafs, burying Zemgus Girgensons’ big rebound in the right circle 18:50 into the ... Read the full article
The Sabres sent Patrick Kaleta to Rochester earlier this month. ©2013, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Agitating winger Patrick Kaleta, who’s trying to develop a calmer style in the minors following a series of NHL suspensions, suffered a “serious injury” to his right knee or ankle Friday, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Update: Kaleta has a torn ACL and is done for the season, according to the Buffalo News.
“It didn’t look good,” Rochester coach Chadd Cassidy told the paper following the Americans’ 5-3 win ... Read the full article
Matt D’Agostini watches Christian Ehrhoff’s game-winning goal go past Toronto goalie James Reimer on Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It wasn’t a normal postgame NHL salute. Then again, the Sabres’ exciting 3-2 overtime triumph against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday wasn’t a normal game.
Leafs fans, who normally comprise at least half the raucous crowd when Toronto visits the First Niagara Center, outnumbered Sabres fans perhaps three to one in the capacity crowd of 19,070.
They ruled the building, chanting loudly all night.
So when the Sabres skated to center ice ... Read the full article
Brian Flynn (left) battles Toronto’s Trevor Smith on Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – These aren’t regular healthy scratches. Interim coach Ted Nolan, who’s been charged with evaluating and developing the Sabres’ young lineup, wants some of his prospects to sit occasionally.
So he scratched center Mikhail Grigorenko and defenseman Brayden McNabb for Friday’s 3-2 overtime win against Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.
Both should return tonight in New Jersey against the Devils, however.
“I’m not unhappy,” Nolan said Friday morning about Grigorenko’s play. ... Read the full article
Ville Leino’s ice time has increased recently. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The numbers, of course, are still bad. Fourteen games into his season, Sabres center Ville Leino has zero goals, three assists and just 10 shots.
That’s it.
But Leino, having played 20:19 and 19:23 in the last two games, is beginning to earn interim coach Ted Nolan’s trust.
Leino will pivot newcomer Matt D’Agostini and captain Steve Ott tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.
In Wednesday’s 3-1 ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko should play Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – These aren’t regular healthy scratches. Interim coach Ted Nolan, who’s been charged with evaluating and developing the Sabres’ young lineup, wants some of his prospects to sit occasionally.
So center Mikhail Grigorenko and defenseman Brayden McNabb will be scratched tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.
Both should play Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, however.
“I’m not unhappy,” Nolan said this morning about Grigorenko’s play. “It’s just when ... Read the full article