WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Training Camp Edition
Ville Leino (left) will be replaced by Johan Larsson. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Ville Leino just can’t stay healthy.
Leino, who played only eight games last season while battling a hip and lung injury, cracked a rib early in Wednesday’s season-opening 2-1 loss in Detroit and is out indefinitely.
The Finn should only miss a couple of weeks, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center.
Leino stayed in the game, skating 12:38. But Rolston said the rib “seized up” overnight.... Read the full article
Ville Leino played only eight games last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It keeps getting worse for Sabres winger Ville Leino.
Leino, who played only eight games last season while battling a hip and lung injury, cracked a rib early in Wednesday’s season-opening 2-1 loss in Detroit and is out indefinitely.
The Finn should only miss a couple of weeks, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center.
Leino stayed in the game, skating 12:38. But Rolston said ... Read the full article
Steve Ott (9) and Thomas Vanek were named co-captains Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Shortly before noon Tuesday, the Sabres quickly streamed off the First Niagara Center ice following practice and walked to their dressing room. The metal door closed after all the players had entered.
Inside, coach Ron Rolston began addressing his team’s captaincy, which had remained vacant since the Sabres traded Jason Pominville in April.
Cheers emanated from the room a few minutes later. More applause could be heard shortly after that.
Instead of ... Read the full article
Steve Ott (9), Christian Ehrhoff (10) and Thomas Vanek all earned letters today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Shortly before noon today, the Sabres hurriedly left the First Niagara Center ice following practice and walked to their dressing room. The metal door quickly closed after all the players had entered.
Inside, coach Ron Rolston began addressing his team’s vacant captaincy.
Cheers emanated from behind the door a few minutes later. More applause could be heard shortly after that.
In a surprising move, Rolston had named Steve Ott and Thomas Vanek co-captains.... Read the full article
Steve Ott (9) and Thomas Vanek will share the Sabres’ captaincy. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – There they are, Steve Ott and Thomas Vanek, the Sabres’ new co-captains.
Surprised?
It appeared Sabres coach Ron Rolston would just pick one. Instead, the team announced today Vanek will serve as captain at home. Ott will wear the ‘C’ on the road. Christian Ehrhoff will be the permanent assistant captain.
“I think it’s good,” Vanek said about the co-captains today inside the First Niagara Center. “Picking a captain’s so hard. You look ... Read the full article
Ville Leino hasn’t produced much offense with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Forget about Ville Leino’s shaky past with the Sabres and the widespread belief he’s a bust. Start judging the Finn differently.
The winger feels poised for a breakout season under new coach Ron Rolston.
Why should someone with only 10 goals and 31 points two seasons into a six-year, $27 million contract be given a clean slate?
Leino’s finally healthy after years of discomfort, having undergone a second hip surgery during the offseason... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno could practice today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With a muscle strain sidelining winger Marcus Foligno, the 23 players on the ice Monday – 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies – could comprise the Sabres’ opening-night roster, coach Ron Rolston said.
Foligno, who was injured last Sunday in Toronto, was placed on injured reserve Monday. The Sabres had to hit the 23-man roster limit by 5 p.m.
Rolston said Foligno could practice today. Still, he’s likely out for Wednesday’s ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno was hurt last Sunday in Toronto. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With a muscle strain sidelining winger Marcus Foligno, the 23 players on the ice this morning – 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies – could be on the Sabres’ opening night roster Wednesday in Detroit, coach Ron Rolston said.
“I don’t see it Wednesday,” Rolston said about Foligno inside the First Niagara Center. “I think he’ll be in a position tomorrow where he’ll practice. But I don’t think one day is going ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis has played 197 games with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This place, Matt Ellis said recently, is “where my heart is.” Five years ago this Tuesday, the Sabres claimed the forward from Los Angeles. As an injury fill-in, Ellis figured his stint could be short.
Sure enough, the Sabres waived Ellis weeks later, nearly losing him.
But the 32-year-old has stayed and carved out an important role with the organization, playing 197 NHL games and captaining two AHL affiliates.
In July, five months ... Read the full article
The Sabres re-signed Alexander Sulzer in July. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres placed defenseman Alexander Sulzer on waivers this afternoon, possibly ending the German’s 32-game career with the club.
Sulzer made only two preseason appearances and had fallen to eighth or ninth on the team’s depth chart.
The 29-year-old played just two games under new coach Ron Rolston last year before suffering a season-ending ACL injury on Feb. 23.
Still, the Sabres re-signed Sulzer to a one-year, $725,000 deal in July. He ... Read the full article