Archives for March 2014

'Back problems or not, it’s remarkable that two years after the trade, Kassian still can’t get off the third line and Hodgson still can’t stay on the first.' … [Read more...] about Two years after trade, Zack Kassian and Cody Hodgson both yet to deliver

'“I’ll do my best to not look at the back of their jerseys and just know what team they’re on. One puck at a time. That’s what I keep telling you guys and I’ll keep saying that because when I focus on that, that’s when I’m at my best.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres giving Lieuwen a ‘home’ start in Vancouver

'The Canucks have made the playoffs in 10 of the last 12 seasons, getting to Game Seven of the Cup final in 2011 before losing to Boston. They looked golden this year after going 10-1-2 in December, but are just 9-19-3 since the new year as the heat has squarely landed on Tortorella and General Manager Mike Gillis.' … [Read more...] about Canucks have plenty at stake

Two years after trade, Zack Kassian and Cody Hodgson both yet to deliver (Vancouver Province) Game Day (Vancouver Sun) Sabres-Canucks Preview (AP) Buffalo Sabres (20-42-8) at Vancouver Canucks (32-20-10) (The Sports Network) Daniel Sedin to return as Canucks host Sabres (NHL.com) Tale of the tape (Canucks.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Vancouver Coverage

'Ted Nolan said, “We’re trying something different, he was feeling really good and then goes on the ice and doesn’t feel very well and then he felt good so we put him on the ice and the same thing, so we’ll try to keep him off until he feels maybe over 100 percent and then we’ll put him back on.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres Nuevirth not progressing. Lieuwen will start

'The way Compher is playing during his first year for the University of Michigan should excite you about his future.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Compher flourishing

'“If you know John Scott, he’s that kind of guy,” Conacher said after the game. “He’s a character guy. I wasn’t surprised he was the one to give me his helmet. I’m sure I’ll get a couple pictures and tweets of me with that picture of it three sizes too big."' … [Read more...] about ‘Conehead’ Conacher goes viral

'“We're two different players trying to make a career out of hockey,” Kassian noted. “That's what it is. Like I've said before, I wish him all the best and I know he wishes me all the best. Now I just need to keep on improving.”' … [Read more...] about Zack Kassian insists he’s not in competition with Cody Hodgson

'The good thing about rock bottom is that things can only get better, and indeed, in Buffalo, there are reasons for hope. Ownership is stable and determined to succeed with Pegula writing the checks.' … [Read more...] about SI.com NHL fan misery rankings: No. 3 Buffalo Sabres

'Deslauriers is still confident he can be a fulltime NHL player. He said, “For me my game is just keep it simple, it’s not a big change in the NHL to the AHL, I just use my size and just hit and that’s going to bring me good things.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres Deslauriers is learning on the job

Amerks' skid reaches 5 losses (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Lake Erie Monsters defeat Rochester Americans, 5-0 (Cleveland Plain Dealer) Amerks come up empty in 5-0 loss to Monsters (Amerks.com) Aittokallio Stops 25, Monsters Shutout Rochester 5-0 (LakeErieMonsters.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Rochester Coverage

'“It’s been great coming here playing the minutes I’ve been playing,” said Conacher, who had not scored since Dec. 28 with Ottawa but found the range playing with Hodgson and Torrey Mitchell. “Maybe this is the game I needed to let the floodgates open a little bit.”' … [Read more...] about Conacher’s tips help Sabres snap losing streak

'Close observers of the team point out there’s been no players in the age 25-27 range to help young players through their growing pains. There are veterans like Ference and Ryan Smyth on the roster but few elite mid-range players.' … [Read more...] about Oilers waiting on draft picks to provide relief

'“You can sit back and say ‘woe is me,’ but there is no point in that,” said Sabres forward Drew Stafford. “That kind of sucks the energy out of everyone. We got dealt this hand and this is the group we have, so we have to make the best out of it.”' … [Read more...] about After trading away prominent players, Buffalo Sabres focus on trying to win as many games as possible

Loss to last-place Sabres cuts deep for Oilers (Edmonton Journal) MacIntyre impressed by Gazdic’s toughness (Edmonton Journal) Photo gallery (Edmonton Journal) Amerks Oilers give up early lead to fall to last-place Buffalo Sabres (Edmonton Sun) After trading away prominent players, Buffalo Sabres focus on trying to win as many games as possible (Edmonton Sun) Oilers loss … [Read more...] about Friday’s Edmonton Coverage