Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Matt D’Agostini ready for any role with Sabres

BUFFALO – Matt D’Agostini had just experienced NHL waivers, what he described as “the most anxious 24 hours of your life.”

The Pittsburgh Penguins, his third team since the beginning of last season, released him Tuesday. The 27-year-old winger could’ve gone to the minors for the first time in four years.

But the hapless Sabres claimed D’Agostini on Wednesday, awarding him perhaps his final NHL chance.

So before D’Agostini spoke to the media Thursday ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Corey Tropp on waivers to Blue Jackets; Matt D’Agostini excited for new opportunity

BUFFALO – Losing Corey Tropp on waivers to the Columbus Blue Jackets isn’t disappointing, Ted Nolan said. Instead, the interim Sabres coach is happy the 24-year-old winger will enjoy an NHL opportunity he couldn’t here.

“Pittsburgh lost a guy to us,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “That’s unfortunate we haven’t got enough room for him right now. It’s good for him to be picked up by somebody else and get his ... Read the full article

Late penalty dooms Sabres in loss to Canadiens; Matt D’Agostini expected to join team today

BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis said he was simply trying to hit his spot on the Sabres’ set breakout. Both wingers are supposed to loop. He had no intention of trying to pick Ryan White.

“All of a sudden he was going to my ice,” Ennis said Wednesday following the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, their fifth straight defeat.

With the Sabres down 2-1 with 2:58 remaining, a referee whistled Ennis for interference, giving ... Read the full article

Ex-Sabres star Daniel Briere moving into new role with Canadiens

BUFFALO – This is a new phase for Daniel Briere, the popular former Sabres superstar. At 36 years old, the diminutive forward’s clearly on the downside of his career. These days, he’s no longer the guy, just one of the Montreal Canadiens’ secondary players.

But there are still flashes of the old slick Briere. Since returning from a concussion Nov. 12, he has three goals in seven games, including two in the last four.

Briere’s ... Read the full article

Rick Dudley could’ve spoken to Sabres about GM job, instead chose to stay with Canadiens

BUFFALO – The Sabres wanted to talk to Rick Dudley about their vacant general manager job. But before they could interview him, the Montreal Canadiens wanted a word with their assistant GM.

While the Habs would let Dudley talk to the Sabres, a team he played and coached with, they wanted to keep him.

To Dudley, who lives in Lewiston, the decision was a no-brainer. He signed a contract extension with, according to reports, a ... Read the full article

Sabres claim Matt D’Agostini off waivers from Penguins, waive Corey Tropp

BUFFALO – The Sabres claimed winger Matt D’Agostini off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins today.

The 27-year-old has one assist and four penalty minutes in eight games this season.

The Sabres are D’Agostini’s fourth team since last season. He also played for the St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils.

D’Agostini began his career with the Montreal Canadiens, tonight’s opponent.

He has 47 goals, 96 points and 125 penalty minutes in 275 NHL games.

The ... Read the full article

Sabres’ forward scratch will be game-time decision

BUFFALO – So, which Sabres forward will sit tonight against the Montreal Canadiens?

“It’ll be a game-time decision,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Center Mikhail Grigorenko, the last forward off the ice this morning, said he’s playing. Tough guy John Scott, a healthy scratch last game, was off the ice early. The Canadiens haven’t been dressing their enforcer, George Parros. Nolan spoke to struggling fourth-line winger Marcus ... Read the full article

Sabres’ No. 1 scoring line providing little offense

BUFFALO – Just under eight minutes into the Sabres’ 3-1 loss Sunday, winger Drew Stafford created one of the struggling team’s few highlight-reel goals this season by stealing the puck from Detroit’s Darren Helm above the left circle and dishing to an open Cody Hodgson in the slot.

The center then waited for Jonas Gustavsson to go down before tucking the puck past the outstretched goalie.

It was only the Sabres’ 41^st goal in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ted Nolan impressed with Mikhail Grigorenko’s two games

BUFFALO – Anybody will notice 19-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko’s skill set, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

“He sees the ice very well,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s a big man. He has a tremendous shot.”

But Nolan also sees “a young kid” within all that talent.

“A young kid that’s finding his way,” he noted.

That’s why Nolan’s exercising patience with the rookie, who’s pointless in two ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan wants more emotion from struggling Sabres

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ emotional 3-1 victory in Ted Nolan’s debut as interim coach Nov. 15 is starting to feel like a distant memory.

Yes, the Sabres have been showcasing a better compete level at times. Yes, they’re starting games much better.

But the bottom-feeding club has been outscored 15-5 in four straight losses since beating Toronto. The Sabres, who have an NHL-low five wins and 11 points, are still really bad.

“I really liked ... Read the full article