26CornerBlitz

RR surfaces: @kevinoDandC Former #Amerks and #Sabres coach Ron Rolston taking in #Amerks vs. WBS Penguins game tonight. @kevinoDandC Ron Rolston is good friends with WBS coach John Hynes from their time together at USA Hockey's NTDP (as is #Amerks coach Chadd Cassidy).

Scrivens looks good so far and he'll need to keep it up for a while: @NHL Jonathan Quick out until Christmas? http://s.nhl.com/r1vwc

‏@pham1717 One thing I see is Nolan does quite a bit more coaching and instructing at practice than he did the first time he was here

Larsson and Risto both reassigned to the Amerks this morning.

'I can coach': COLUMN ON TED NOLAN There is never an easy answer with Ted Nolan, never a convenient or succinct explanation of where he's been, how he's been away this long, why the rest of the National Hockey League hasn't been pounding down doors to try to hire the onetime coach of the year. There are always whispers, questions, stories that don't exactly add up, and yet a directness from him that belies all the doubts that surround his coaching name. Nolan is back where he is most comfortable, 16 years after walking away from a meagre contract offer by Darcy Regier - the same Regier now gone in the purge of the Buffalo Sabres - looking like he belongs on the ice at First Niagara Center, sounding confident as ever in the city where he had his greatest professional success.

SABRES PROSPECTS REPORT 11/18/13 With action heating up in the college and junior ranks, a pair of former teammates with the U.S. National Team Development Program scored their first-ever collegiate goals over the weekend. Freshman centerman J.T. Compher (2013, second round) struck for his first two goals as fifth-ranked Michigan earned a non-conference split with Nebraska-Omaha. The Illinois product pounced on a power play rebound in Friday’s 3-2 loss. On Saturday, Compher raced in on a short-handed breakaway and buried a forehand as the Wolverines earned a 4-3 victory over the Mavericks. Compher has gathered eight points (2+6) in 10 contests while manning the right point on the Wolverines’ top power play unit. West Seneca, NY native Sean Malone (2013, sixth round) notched his first collegiate goal and added an assist Saturday as Harvard downed Princeton 5-3. Malone, who produced a helper and five shots on goal the night before in a 3-2 loss to Quinnipiac, has five points (1+4) through his first eight games with the Crimson. The speedy pivot is making an immediate impact early as top-line player in Cambridge.

@ISShockey http://ISStop30.com #3 Michael Dal Colle @MDalColle71 7 game point streak in Oct/Nov. Powerful stride, frame & protection this season.

Nabakov to IR with an LBI and the Oil gets ready for Bryzgalov by ‏@EdmontonOilers #Oilers place goaltender Jason LaBarbera on waivers.

‏VERNI TO LEAD THE RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR AT HARBORCENTER HARBORCENTER President John R. Koelmel announced today that Dominic Verni has been named General Manager of its restaurant and sports bar. “Dom brings tremendous experience and notable success in the food and beverage industry to HARBORCENTER,” Koelmel said. “We are very excited to have him leading the team that will make our restaurant and sports bar one of downtown Buffalo’s most enjoyable and notable entertainment venues.” The yet-to-be-named establishment will be owned and operated by HARBORCENTER. Patrons of the 13,000 square foot, two-level restaurant, with seating for 350, will enjoy fare that is highlighted by Western New York culinary favorites while featuring locally produced ingredients. The menu will be complimented by an extensive collection of craft beers and signature cocktails, available at three feature bars. In addition to being a focus for fans and visitors before and after Sabres home games and other events at the adjoining First Niagara Center, patrons will be able to enjoy the experience of a 36-foot television screen, the largest inWestern New York, as well as other amenities throughout the year. @HARBORCTR Dominic Verni has been named General Manager of HARBORCENTER's restaurant and sports bar @HARBORCTR The two-level restaurant & sports bar includes: WNY culinary favorites, local ingredients, 350+ seating, 3 feature bars, & a 36ft TV screen

@SportsnetSpec Oilers call up Bryzgalov. Of course, Dubnyk has finally found game, playing very well. Predict Dubnyk starts Tuesday vs CBJ.

I'm sure that LaFontaine addressed these concerns with Pegula since he previously had the Wang experience during his time with the NYI. No worries.

Must See: Inside Hockey: Pat LaFontaine (extended version) 5:59 Video: Inside Hockey: Pat LaFontaine embraces new gig with Sabres Pat LaFontaine was once the face of the Buffalo Sabres and now he's the man in charge. Hockey Night in Canada's Elliotte Friedman sat down with LaFontaine in his Inside Hockey segment about the former star centre's new role as the Sabres' president of hockey operations. LaFontaine shared his appreciation for the city of Buffalo, the search for the club's next general manager, and his plans for organization.

11/16 - BNG 7, RCH 3 -- Amerks drop 7-3 decision to Senators: The Rochester Americans had their two-game winning streak snapped on Saturday, falling to the Binghamton Senators on the road by a score of 7-3. The loss moves the Amerks’ record to 7-4-2-2, but Rochester remains in first place in the American Hockey League’s North Division. Forward Mike Zigomanis scored twice for the Amerks while rookie Joel Armia scored the first goal of his North American professional career and Luke Adam registered his team-leading 18th point of the season with an assist. Kevin Sundher, meanwhile, extended his point streak to three games with an assist and goaltender Matt Hackett finished with 31 saves. Binghamton received two-goal games from both Corey Cowick and Buddy Robinson. Wacey Hamilton recorded three assists while Shane Prince, Stephane Da Costa and Mike Hoffman each notched a goal and an assist. Goaltender Andrew Hammond turned aside 31 of 34 shots to earn the win for Binghamton. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zQGnCCf26A Armia's Goal is at 1:47. Nice!

It's covered in the Amerks thread, but great to see Armia off to such a good start.

In the ECHL, Makarov & Knapp were matched up. Here are some highlights from that game, including several early stops from Makarov:

That's right. ‏@RSandersonWHTK #Amerks RW Joel Armia scores 1st N. American pro goal. Slapper from top of R circle, beats Hammond over R shoulder. 4-2 #BSens [3rd 3:20]

Amerks losing 5-3 but Armia has his 1st NA Goal: @AmerksHockey GOAL!!! Joel Armia's first goal as an Amerk cuts the lead in half. Armia's first goal from Varone and Gauthier-Leduc at 3:20.

‏@SabresProspects Check out one of Joel Armia's two assists from the Amerks' Friday win over Utica http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nXjA484OYI

Anyone believe in Re-Drew-Venation under Nolan?

Hockey's Future presents the top grouping of the Fall NHL Team Rankings. 2. Buffalo Sabres Strengths: The Buffalo Sabres have a stacked prospect group that will help their rebuild at the NHL level over the next few years. The team added 11 newly drafted prospects, including two towering physical defensemen in Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov. Their talent pool is extremely deep at the center, defense, and goaltending positions. The organization has many prospects already playing in the NHL, led by forwards Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson, and Mikhail Grigorenko. Weakness: Buffalo is not especially deep with natural wingers, particularly on the left side. The organization also lacks an elite, goal-scoring forward. Though many of their top prospects are already playing in the NHL, it will still take some time for them to reach their potential. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Mikhail Grigorenko, C; 2. Rasmus Ristolainen, D; 3. Brayden McNabb, D; 4. Mark Pysyk, D; 5. Matt Hackett, G. Key Additions: Nikita Zadorov (2013), Rasmus Ristolainen (2013), JT Compher (2013), Gustav Possler (2013). Key Losses: Riley Boychuk (trade-NJD).

Mentally he was in the wrong place, but now it seems as if the light is on. Kudos to him for the turnaround.

It's wise to have patience with young players. We keep forgetting that Adam is only 23 years old.

11/15 - RCH 4, UTI 2 -- Adam, Armia lead Amerks to 4-2 win over Utica: The Rochester Americans defeated the Utica Comets by a score of 4-2 on Friday night at Utica Memorial Auditorium as Luke Adam scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season for Rochester. The win was the second straight for the Amerks and improved their record to 7-3-2-2 on the season, keeping them alone in first place in the American Hockey League’s North Division. By recording his second consecutive two-goal game, Adam took over the AHL lead in goals with 13 in just 14 games. Rookie Joel Armia, playing in just his second game with the Amerks, collected two assists for the first points of his North American professional career. Kevin Sundher also registered two assists while veterans Matt Ellis and Mike Zigomanis each scored a goal to round out the scoring for Rochester. Goaltender Nathan Lieuwen stopped 33 of 35 shots to earn the win in net. Utica forward Benn Ferriero scored both Comets goals on the night while netminders Joacim Eriksson and Joe Cannata combined to stop 26 of 30 Rochester shots on goal.

@BuffaloSabres .@AmerksHockey update: Joel Armia (@10Armia) just registered an assist for his first North American pro hockey point. ‏@RSandersonWHTK END 2nd - #Amerks 4 (Ellis, Adam, Adam, Zigomanis) #Comets 1 (Ferriero). SOG: Utica 9 (22) Rochester 11 (18).

@AmerksHockey #Amerks starting six: Ruhwedel and McNabb on the blueline with Varone centering Tardif and Armia. Lieuwen gets the nod between the pipes. @kevinoDandC Luke Adam with a PPG for #Amerks. His 12th goal -- in just 14 games. 2-0 at Utica. At some point, the #Sabres MUST give him another chance.