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SABRES EXTEND QUALIFYING OFFERS TO RFAS |
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Darcy Regier wants to keep the young, productive core intact. He moved five steps closer to building a better mousetrap today.
Gaustad, Paille, Bernier, MacArhur, and Mancari have all been made qualifying offers. Terms not known yet.
Goose and Paille will likely double their salraies moving forward. Bernier will get a 5% bump, and Mac will get a 10% cha-ching.
Great nmews for Sabre Nation.
Next up: The UFAs.
Goodbye to Kalinin. Ditto Teppo. Nice to know ya Thibault. Jury's still out on Nolan Pratt.
****
I busted Drew Stafford's chops that he was the old grey beard in the gang of players in attendance at NU.
"Not true. There's some dude who was born in 1984 or something....", the 22 year old Stafford snapped back.
Staffford led by example as he banged , clawed for loose pucks, and put the biscuit in the basket in the drill-only first day of action.
"I feel great and I'm excited to be here".
Staff told me that he'd rather leave the 2007/2008 season in the rear view mirror. Injuries marred an otherwise promising first full-time NHL season for Stafford. Look for #21 to light it up with lineamates Roy and Vanek this season.
For the time being, its out with the old stuff. In with the new energy. Enter the young guns!
"We'll have fun here with the guys that are here", Stafford remarked. "The fans are great already. Its very cool to be back in college-- literally!"
He was referring to Nathan Gerbe, Timmy Kennedy, Felix Schutz, Tyler Ennis, and a host of dynamic young talent that has been asssembled for the express purposes of introducing and re-affirming the nuances and expectations of the NHL game.
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Tyler Myers is a skyscraper on skates!
The Calgary Kid, by way of Kelowna, is a load and a half at 6'7 and two bills--- and growing!
The kid's stick looks like its 10 feet long, and he knows how to use it to close the gap on opposing forwards. I'm very impressed with the his fast feet and aggressive hands.
No shakes or rattles. He looked composed and confident in his first session in the NHL.
Its no wonder the kid was rated as high as he was in the draft. He has all the tools to be a star:
Great shot, skates well, plays the body, will step in the shot lane to eat a bullet, and can defend like a mother.
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TJ Brennan and Nathan Gerbe were the last two players to leave the ice after Day 1 of camp. Stafford had to yell at them to clear out so trhat the zamboni guy could flood.
Gerbe is a joy to watch! His feet never stop and he's always looking to make a play. His shot is heavy annd deadly accurate.
Kennedy sported a #51 sweater, and he terrorized the goalie with his laserbeams. He did not get to shoot on Enroth and Eno as they were on the rink next door.
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The Swedes were in fine form.
Jhonas Enroth turned away the majority of pucks thrown at him in droills. His rebound control was crisp and controlled. The guy's splits are sick! Can't wait for scrimmages.
Young Persson looked impressive on D. Very strong on his skates and likes to play the body.
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