Ville Leino was pretty candid about his horrible season in Buffalo but seemed to suggest that the Sabre coaching staff did not use him and other players to their potential. Leino scored only eight goals and registered a paltry 25 points in 71 games after signing a lucrative 6-year, $27 million contract. We don't think it prudent on his part to cast stones at coach Lindy Ruff. Leino said the following about players' roles: "There was a lot of pieces that were kind of out of place. Also, they've got to work with what they were given. We have a lot of good players and we're a good team, which we proved at the end. We just didn't get that chemistry and all that right away at the start, and it was probably too late." Stay tuned for the fallout.

Ville Leino potted a goal in the Sabres' 2-1 loss to the Flyers Thursday night. Leino has a track record of clutch goals but the big center has been a bust of a signing for the Sabres as well as a fantasy disappointment this season.

Ville Leino has recorded two goals in his past 22 games. He scored both tallies against Vancouver back on Mar. 3. Leino has contributed seven assists over that span, but his goal scoring woes have been an issue all year long. He scored a career-high of 19, with the Philadelphia Flyers last season, but has produced just six in 2011-12.

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff has been pleased with Ville Leino's play recently, even though it has come with him skating in the team's bottom-six forward group. "Ever since we put him in the shutdown position, he's played well," Ruff said. "His play in the second half here has been real good for our team, and there's probably better things to come yet." Leino is has been playing center again between Nathan Gerbe and Patrick Kaleta. He has six goals and 20 points over 55 games in what has been a disappointing season.

Ville Leino recorded two goals in the Buffalo Sabres' 5-3 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. The center has been a bust of a signing for the Sabres, but if there's ever a time when they need him to produce like his ability (and money) suggests, it's now. He has only six goals and 20 points after putting up 19 and 53 last season. Leino's goals both game in the first period, and Brad Boyes (fifth) rounded it out with the Sabres' third. Christian Ehrhoff (fifth) and Tyler Ennis (seventh) notched goals in the third period. Boyes also had an assist while Patrick Kaleta had two.

Center Ville Leino had two assists in the Sabres' 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Buffalo Friday night. Scoring goals for the Sabres were Tyler Ennis, Tyler Myers and Robyn Regehr.

Ville Leino will make his return to Philadelphia on Thursday night. He has underachieved in 2011-12 with the Buffalo Sabres, with just four goals and 11 assists in 45 games, but is looking forward to playing in Philly again. Leino is slated to skate alongside Jason Pominville and Derek Roy in the contest.

Ville Leino put an end to an 11-game goalless drought in Tuesday's win over Montreal. He has registered a mere four goals and 12 points in 39 games with the Sabres this season. Leino's struggles have been well documented, but he feels like he can turn things around before the year is done. "The last five games I've been feeling confident," he said. "I've been working hard on my game every day. It's been a tough season for me and the whole team, but hopefully we'll start to get going here."

Ville Leino returned to action on Saturday January 7.

Ville Leino (foot) skated on Friday, but it's not clear if he'll play on Saturday. Leino previously brought up the possibility of him returning on Saturday, but Sabres coach Lindy Ruff hasn't been quite as optimistic. "He was ready two weeks ago, and that's his personality. ... Ready means different things for Ville than it does for me," Ruff explained. Consider Leino doubtful Saturday and probable to return next week.