WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Training Camp Edition
Lindy Ruff was in a good mood this afternoon. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff’s mood belied his team’s plight. The Sabres coach was smiling and brimming with energy during a frank nine-minute chat with the media this afternoon following a 70-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center.
No one would’ve known the Sabres are 5-8-1 and mired in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
“It is on me,” Ruff said about the challenge of cleaning up the Sabres’ poor start. “I understand that. I ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville suffered a slice tendon during the 2011 postseason. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
The word out of Pittsburgh tonight is grim. Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson, the reigning Norris Trophy winner and one of the NHL’s most dynamic and exciting talents, suffered a lacerated Achilles tendon when Matt Cooke’s skate sliced his leg. Karlsson’s season is likely over.
Almost two years ago, James van Riemsdyk’s skate cut Sabres captain Jason Pominville in Philadelphia, slicing a tendon. The winger’s Achilles was spared, however. Still, Pominville endured a long rehab.
Here’s ... Read the full article
Fans will have more opportunities to see Cody Hodgson and Jordan Leopold up close. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Beginning with Friday’s game against Boston, fans can purchase last-minute tickets to Sabres contests at the First Niagara Center through the new “Sabres Standby” program, the team announced today.
Fans can sign up to be part of a queue of potential ticket-buyers at sabres.com/standby starting at 7 p.m. tonight and be eligible to purchase from a limited quantity of tickets.
The NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement requires each team to reserve an increased ... Read the full article
Tim Kennedy played regularly in the NHL in 2009-10. ©2013, Janet Schultz, Olean Times Herald
South Buffalo native and former Sabres forward Tim Kennedy returned to the NHL on Tuesday, skating 15:33 in the San Jose Sharks’ 1-0 overtime loss in Nashville.
Kennedy had been dominating the AHL, compiling 13 goals and 37 points in 37 games with Worchester.
The 26-year-old last played in the big leagues on Jan. 5, 2012 with the Florida Panthers.
Kennedy’s NHL career famously derailed in August 2010 when the Sabres walked away from a ... Read the full article
This season hasn’t been easy for Lindy Ruff. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – On the surface, it sounds like a dynamic early-season combination. Goalie Ryan Miller locked in, on top of his game. Twenty-two goals and 49 points from the Sabres’ top line, highlighted by 11 scores and 23 points from superstar Thomas Vanek.
Well, it’s added up to a 5-7-1 record, 11 points and a last-place Northeast Division standing entering tonight’s tilt in Ottawa against the Senators.
The defense, the Sabres’ supposed strength, is ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis hasn’t played in the AHL since 2010-11. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Matt Ellis cleared waivers Monday and will report to the Rochester Americans, his first AHL stint since serving as the Portland Pirates’ captain in 2010-11.
The respected 31-year-old forward, a veteran of 267 NHL games, played six pointless contests with the Sabres this season and was scratched six times.
The Sabres waived him Sunday to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster.
“He plays the game with a lot of ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis has extensive AHL experience. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Matt Ellis cleared waivers this afternoon, TSN reported.
The forward will report to the Rochester Americans, his first AHL stint since serving as the Portland Pirates’ captain in 2010-11.
The 31-year-old, a veteran of 267 NHL games, played six contests with the Sabres this season and was scratched six times.
The Sabres waived him Sunday to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster.
Ellis has 81 goals and 188 points ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis stands face-to-face with Brad Marchand on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A night after his dynamic effort stole a victory for his teammates in New York, the Sabres demanded an encore performance from goalie Ryan Miller.
Thirteen games into the season, the Sabres are a gigantic mess defensively, allowing 40 shots some nights and loads of scoring chances.
Miller can only do so much, but he dazzled again Sunday in the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the scorching Boston Bruins, stopping 36 shots before 18,869 ... Read the full article
Robyn Regehr returned Sunday after a seven-game absence. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ lineup reshuffling Sunday included rookie Mikhail Grigorenko’s first healthy scratch but still left struggling defenseman Tyler Myers’ watching for a second consecutive night.
Meanwhile, the Sabres waived forward Matt Ellis to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster prior to their 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.
Teams have until noon today to claim the 31-year-old Ellis, a high-energy fourth-liner.
More on Ellis later.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis was waived today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
With no roster space left, the Sabres waived forward Matt Ellis today.
Is this the end of the 31-year-old’s five-year run with the team? Would he clear waivers? It’s possible a team will grab him. Will he make it to Rochester?
Ellis could come back right away even if he goes down. He was the Sabres’ only spare forward just days ago. Another player will get injured at some point.
Whatever happens, the hardworking ... Read the full article