Building a better Buffalo Sabres team is a numbers game. Darcy Regier only has 23 roster spots available to utilize. He and head coach Ron Rolston have invested hundreds, if not thousands of hours since the NHL Draft in June, contemplating and evaluating every prospect and veteran in the organization. Its been a thorough, top-to-bottom organizational depth chart review that began the very moment that the Sabres packed up their table on the floor at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, and then high-tailed it back to the First Niagara Center to begin the excruciating process of evaluating al of the assets in the Buffalo Sabres portfolio.
Regier and Rolston are faced with the unenviable task of paring down their roster, one last time, to get it from 26-27 contending players to the 23 player limit. Many players have impressed the Sabres brass in the past month, be it at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament, or in the six exhibition games that have been played to date. Many players have tried out for featured roles in Buffalo’s Theater of Youth, however, only 23 will have their names written on the opening night roster. The Sabres open the 2013-14 season in Detroit.
Regier spoke about his thought process on Wednesday night as his team was well on its way to defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0 at First Niagara Center. The Sabres are 4-1-1 in this exhibition season largely due to the fact that players young and old are buying in, and playing Ron Rolston’s aggressive, quick, “hard up the ice, even hard back to our zone” system.
Wednesday night, you finally got to see for yourself, with your own discerning and critical eyes, the progression of players that I have been writing about since July. Admit it. You liked what you saw. You liked it a lot. Some of you loved it more than others. You thought to yourselves: “Seeing Is Believing. I’m not as skeptical about my yeam’s “youth movement now that I have seen the kids play with the vets”.
The kids are alright. They are better than “alright”. The Buffalo kids are downright manly at this point on training camp. We are six days away from opening puck drop in Detroit Rock City. The roster that you saw on Wednesday night is pretty much the same lineup that will lead the Sabres into battle against Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Jimmy Howard and the Red Wings on October 2nd. The goaltending situation is set. Darcy Regier hasn’t decided yet whether he will keep 7 or 8 D. 13 or 14 forwards will be kept in Buffalo, while the rest will be sent either to Rochester or back to their junior clubs.
Yes. That was Zemgus Girgensons-Mikhail Grigorenko-Joel Armia causing fits and anxiety for the Blue Jackets defenders. The “1st Rounder Line” is big, string, fast, and devilishly skilled. The kid trio buzzed the Columbus zone all game long. They created chances for one another early on, and they persisted all game long. The line scored two of Buffalo’s three goals. Armia left the game in the third period with a hand issue. Before he left, he was a physical force. He was first on pucks and wasn’t afraid to finish checks. He shot the puck well and created opportunities for his line mates. Grigorenko potted a nice goal and was consistent all game long. He’s been playing well ever since he scored the shootout winner in Montreal a week and a half ago. He was 50% on draws and when he lost faceoffs, he dogged the opposing center to get the puck back. Grigo’s confidence, hands, feet, and imagination are all working in concert right now and we are seeing all aspects of his sick game that made him the 12th overall pick in 2012. Girgensons, per usual, was a beast. He’s a warrior. A man of many faces and talents. One shift he’s winning wall battles against two defenders, the next he is taking pucks off walls and driving the slot like he owns it. Girgensons has in general has made life miserable for opposing forwards and D-men. The kid never quits during a shift. His feet are always moving. He never glides to pucks. He goes 120 mph. You heard he was THAT good. Now you have seen it with your own eyes. Girgensons is a power forward in the truest sense of the word. Look at Chicago’s Bryan Bickell and what he did in the Stanley Cup playoffs and Finals for the Blackhawks. That’s the value that Girgensons will provide to the Sabres. You got a chance to see Johan Larsson play tether-puck while skating between John Scott and Pat Kaleta. Larsson plays like a hungry pit bull. The puck stays velcroed to his blade, and he’s a load to move off pucks. His passing is exquisite and his penalty killing is superb. Larsson is a chameleon in that he can play center at a high level, as well as playing wing at an equally high acuity level. He’s smart, rock sold, and skilled. His passing skills are very impressive. Yes, indeed. That was Rasmus Ristolainen riding puck carriers off into wall, blocking shots and cleaning enemy attackers out of Enroth’s crease. Ristolainen makes it look so easy. He skates better backwards than he does forwards, which is to say that he is an elite, world-class skater. He mobilizes his 6’4” 220 pound frame in no time flat, and he’s able to travel from “Point A” to “Point B” like a commuter train on open rails. Risto is one of many special Buffalo prospects who are plug and play ready. He will be rewarded for his brilliant work with a job in Buffalo’s starting 6 D corps.
Its my opinion that the super talented kids like Girgensons, Grigorenko, Armia, Larsson, Ristolainen, and Zadorov have won over their veteran teammates. I dare say that the kids have injected a much need quantity of exuberance and enthusiasm both into the room, which carries over to the ice. The vets I speak with in the room embrace the youngsters like they are NHL vets. There is a brotherhood and a mutual respect for one another that I see on a regular basis. Its really refreshing to see the older guys open up and share their experiences with the young kids. In the end, they are all in this thing together. I like the culture and the unity that I see and observe and I’m certain that the players feel it too.
As individuals, kids like Gtigensons, Grigorenko, Armia, Larsson, Ristolainen, and Zadorov have proven their worth to the veteran core
by way of their outstanding achievements in the weight room, on the practice ice, and on the rink against NHLers. Now, they need to sustain it. Getting to the NHL is one thing. Staying in the NHL is entirely another thing. Of course the kids impressed at Traverse City by finishing second overall out of eight teams that participated in the most excellent prospect tourney. They have also making sizable, meaningful contribution to the Sabres in the first six exhibition games. However, where the rubber hit’s the ice is how do the kids play with the vets in scrimmages? Do they get “it”? How do they perform under duress in ugly melees against NHLers like the one we witnessed in Toronto on Sunday night. Some, no, most NHL teams do not have the embarrassment of riches in their coffers that the Buffalo Sabres can boast of. Having young talent is one thing. However, being able to weave the kids into your veteran core mosaic, and have the new group form a new, aggressive identity is entirely another thing. Ron Rolston and his assistants Joe sacco, Teppo Numminen, and Jerry Forton have done a masterful job at not only preparing their young players for the rigors of the NHL, but they’ve made their transition to pro hockey as seamless as possible. At least for now they have. Will there be hiccups and mistakes? Of course there will be. How else will kids learn if they are not making mistakes? Hell, I see NHL All Stars throw passes that turn into “pick sixes” every night on the NHL Network highlight packs. Mistakes happen. Turnovers happen. Its how the kids respond the mistakes that sets apart the good ones from the great ones. I see Rolston as his staff using positive reinforcement techniques all over the ice in practice drill as well as on the bench during games. The kids are alright because they know that their coaches believe in them and that there is a learning curve for them to make their transition to play with the best players in the world in the most competitive, and most talent-rich hockey league on the face of the earth.
When you watched he Blue jackets game on MSG, you were pleasantly surprised by what you saw from the vets. Admit it. Its ok.
You cheered when Ville Leino stuck his gface in a danger zone to hunt to rebound created by the CBUS goalie after Cody Hodgosn’s shot. Leino would win th eloose puck and score the kind of greasy goal that he scored for the Flyers in the playoffs a few years back. You cheered. I heard you. Yes, that was Hodgson blocking shots and coming back below the hash marks to receive breakout passes from his D. CoHo throwing checks pleased you, too.
Yes. That was Thomas Vanek that you saw back checking and knocking guys on their cans in the D-zone on MSG on Wednesday night. Yes. That was Tyler Myers, skating like his hair was on fire through all three zones circa 2010, head up, knees flexed, looking for a seam or a five foot pass to an adjacent forward. Yes. That was Mike Weber assisting on all 3 Buffalo Sabres goals.
Darcy Regier and Ron Rolston have some tough decisions to make this weekend. The Buffalo blueprint calls for only 23 bricks in the wall. They will have to subtract a couple to get to their limit.
Thanks, Sabres.com
So, injuries and/or trades notwithstanding, here’s what the Buffalo lineup will look like on opening night (not in this particular order):
Vanek-Hodgson-Foligno
Ott-Grigorenko-Leino
Girgensons-Ennis-Stafford
Scott-Larsson-Kaleta
Tallinder-Myers
Ehrhoff-Pysyk
Weber-Ristolainen
Miller
Enroth
Extras: Armia will take Scott's place when opponent lacks enforce;, Sulzer, McBain, and Porter
My sense is that Nikita Zadorov will play this season with his OHL London Knights this season. It makes a ton of sense to have the 18 year old go back to junior where he’ll play 25-27 minutes per games in all situations, including PP and PK. I’m a big proponent of allowing Zadorov experience what its like to be the #1 D, while preparing to play in the Memorial Cup tournament which will be hosted by his London Knights next Spring. He’ll be a Sabres star shortly.
The Sabres roster is not set in stone yet. It will be in the days to come. The composite sketch that I've outlined for you may be the final solution. If its not, it will look close to this.
Marcus Foligno will be in the opening night lineup. Right now, he's dealing with a shoulder strain. Joel Armia suffered a hand issue on Wednesday night. Bumps bruises? More serious issues? Thats to be decided in the days to come. I'm thinking, if Foligno can't play, Armia will stay. If Marcus is green-lighted then Armia will be sent to Rochester and will be recalled at another time when an injury or scoring slump occurs.
Trades are also going to be a factor as all 30 teams have had three weeks to evaluate their kids, vets, and free agent camp invitees. Teams have suffered injuries, too. For example, Edmonton has lost Sam Gagner for two months. They need a top six forward. Buffalo may be involved in trade talks. Ditto Calgary with veteran winger Mike Cammalleri (hand). Could Buffalo move Drew Stafford and his contract to open up a roster space and salary cap to make room for Armia? Its an option.
The roster is still a work in progress. By Monday it will be finalized. For now, we wait.
That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
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Happy 31st Birthday, Big John Scott!
Your BFF, Fink Kessel will do a drive-by past First Niagara Center later this morning. He will be throwing cupcakes at you because, frankly, you scare him.
John Scott will be busy with his team today, working out and practicing with his team. They will play Carolina Friday night.
Scott will be hosting a birthday party for Kessel and his Laffs at First Niagara Center on November 15th.
The fun loving, interview-bombing giant will be handing out knuckles and terror as party favors! Scott and the Sabres have a lot of fun activities planned for their QEW Bros. like a "Human Pinata" party game that they like to play.
Good times!
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