Just back from the Sabres skate.
Here are your lines for tonight's tilt:
FORWARDS:
KOTALIK-DRURY-PAILLE
POMINVILLE-NOVOTNY-VANEK
AFINOGENOV-ROY-RYAN
PETERS-GAUSTAD-THORBURN
D:
SPACEK-CAMPBELL
LYDMAN-SEKERA
PAETSCH-NUMMINEN
G;
BIRON
***
So, Lindy. Looks to me that you want to win this game tonight, right?
" The purpose of this lineup is there's a couple of defenseman that we wanna look at and there's four forwards we want to take a close, careful look at- they've got American League experience, they're battling for a job, its a good lineup. We only have four pre-season games and their split up. The majority of the remaining games will be played with last season's players. We're not going to look too much further than today", Lindy Ruff told me after this morning's skate.
The two D men in the cross hairs tonight in Ottawa are Nathan Paetsch and Andrej Sekera. Paetsch has been a steady performer since Day 1 of this camp and Lindy told me that he likes the fact the at Paetsch finished so strong last season. You'll recall that Paetsch was pressed into emergency duty for Game 7 of the ECF versus Carolina on the road. "Nathan's a young guy with good skills and we've noticed him in this camp". Sekera is a solid puck mover, with good wheels and a big shot from the left point. He's trying to make a name for himself in this, his first Sabres training camp. He'll work with Teppo tonight.
********
Lindy Ruff realizes that he and his coaches have some tough decisions to make in the next little while concerning their forwards. Dan Paille, Chris Thorburn, Jiri Novotny, Marc Mancari and Mike Ryan have been playing their best hockey for the past week. Five guys fighting for two jobs makes for great intensity in camp. Makes for Tylenol and Maalox moments for Lindy and his staff, as well.
" We're looking at guys that have been around the system now for two- three years, and, through a Lockout, they are very familiar with how we want to play, and what is expected. Those players know how we play, they're comfortable with the system, and, they look comfortable on the ice. There's a fine line now between what you're looking for and what you're going to get for a player. All of those players are good players and somebody will get the nod and the person that doesn't probably won't be that far off from staying".
Tonight's game is significant for these forwards who are busting their tails to make the squad. The Sabres will cut their roster down to 25-26 players on Saturday. Many players will be returned to their Junior teams. The rest will be sent to Randy Cunneyworth is Rochester.
Its now or never for guys like Dan Paille.
" I think I need to do what I set out to do from the beginning. I need to be more physical. I've had good games the past two games, but now I need to increase my physical play. I have to focus on that mentality and play that way". Paille scored in Toronto on Monday night and he made plays with the puck and away from the puck versus Columbus on Tuesday. Paille has to find a way to incorporate his physical game tonight in order to bring his game full circle. He's ready for the challenge. " I worked out and skated all Summer and I feel like I'm in my best shape. Time to let her rip", Paille told me this morning.
Paille followed the off-season program prescribed to him by Sabres sStrength and Conditioning Coach, Doug McKenny. Paille showed up for camp with a wider, thicker upper body, and, he now tips the scales at 6 feet and 205. He played at 195 last season. He knows that must put his assets to work tonight. The Welland native has an asterisk next to his name for another reason. He does not have to clear waivers in order to be sent to Rochester. " That is a little bit in the back of my mind because it makes it easier (to send him down), but, I'm in a fight for a spot and I fel like I'm gonna do it".
Ironic that the Sabres are in Ottawa tonight.
Dan Paille and I have spoken at time since August about the player he wants to become in the NHL. He's a guy with size, speed, smarts, vision of the entire 200 by 85, refuse to lose mentality.Sounds a lot like Mike Fisher, doesn't it?
" Over the past two-three years, I've watched Mike Fisher play and he does all the little things so well. He's an everynight player, and that's what I want to be. " I respect the way he plays hard everynight, and he's one of the guys that I'd like to copy and take after. He's a great young player with a great future, and, I think I can compare myself to him. THAT'S the way I want to play. I look at him and his ability to change his game inside the game. I want to be that kind of player, and that's what I'm working toward. "
Like Fisher, Paille has is chameleon-like. He has multiple personalities on the ice, and he wants to increase his equity on the Sabres by bringing everynight offense, defense, hitting, and leadership to his squad. " When the time comes in a game to make a play, I gotta make it; when its time to throw the body around, I gotta do it; the big thing for me is to exert myself in the physical department . The one thing I know Lindy wants me to do is hit, and I gotta start hitting. I can't get caught out of position looking for someone to hit, I have to be smart and play my game. When the time comes, I gotta go out there and finish just like Mike Grier did last year: finish every check, big or small, doesn't mmater. No matter what I've gotta be there".
*****
I caught up with Chris Thorburn after the skate. Nice tussle in T.O. the other night, eh?
"Ben Ondrus is a big boy and we've been playing against each other the past three seasons. We agreed to help each other out, so we tossed the mitts and danced. He's a strong guy!"
Very cool to hear when two guys who have respect for one another give each other a wink and they chuck the knuckles. That my friends is respect. Personally, I'd like to see more of it in The NHL amnd The A.
Thorburn is riding shotgun tonight with Andrew Peters and Paul Gaustad. Lots of finesse, eh, Thorbie.
" Dude, we almost scored twice in Toronto. We are a very dangerous line----- ( insert hysterical laughter here)-------- okay, so we're not fifty goal scorers, but we like our game. Especially tonight. We're big, strong, and we can skate. Look at Petey and Goose, those guys are beasts. I fit right in and I want to win a job here. I'm ready to do what I gotta do."
Would you scrap with McGrattan tonight
"Whatever it takes. Petey's our heavyweight. We'll be ready for anything."
Just then, good ole Petey strolls by. So, you ready for McGrattan?
" You know I don't go looking for it. If it happens, it happens. I'm always ready. Did you see the moves I made against the Leafs?", insert big grin and wink here.
I love this job !
******
Danny Briere WAS on the ice this morning. Don't fret, Sabre Fan. Danny will be fine.
" Its feeling better. The pain is getting better. I'll be ok", Danny told me with a smile on his way into the room.
*******
Derek Roy has become somewhat of a cult hero in the Ottawa Valley. Everytime we skates onto the ice at Scotiabank Place, he's amazed at the warm reception he receives from Sens fans.
"They love me there. Their fans are sooooooooooo kind to me. Its great".
******
Captain Chris Drury has been the direct beneficiary of some immediate Jaro Spacek attention in this training camp.
Jaro is ALL about the tape to tape pass. He does it better than anyone in the league. The guy throws lazer beams that hit you right on the tape while your at top speed. Its uncanny how great a passer he really is. In last night's Blue vs. Gold Scrimmage, Jaro performed surgery on the defensive zone coverage and found Drury for a two foot tap in putt.
WOW !!
" Jaro has been great so far. The pass out of the D zone has become so much more important in this game. The "off the glass and out", I never thought it was a good play, and, now I think its a terrible play. Hopefully, tape to tape passes is what we're getting out there. Its what we expect. As we receive them, we're looking to create with another tape to taper...Spacek is an amazing passer and we haven't seen him because he's be hidden in the West. Its been a while since he's been in the East, with the way everyone bounces around anyways. I did not know just how good he is. We're going to get our share of chances with Jaro back there!"
Lindy Ruff agrees.
" Jaro is like a quarterback in the NFL. He's such a smart puck mover, and a dangerous passer. He has good vision and we look for him to make plays for us. When forwards are open and they don't get the puck, they're disappointed. Jaro's one guy, that in most cases, will lay the puck flat on somebody's stick."
******
Max Afinogenov looks like he's found another gear in this camp. His hands, feet, and eyes are working at a sick rate of speed and efficiency. In last night's Blue/ Gold scrimmage, Max scored two highlight reel goals and he made it look easy. His passing has been crisp and concise as well.
Lindy, what are you feeding this guy?
" Is it that he's THAT fast, or, is that he other guys have just slowed down?!! I hope it is he first, not the latter. Max has got great acceleration and he put on a show last night. I think we ned a lot of players to focus in on what their good at and to perform in camp. You can't wait til after preseason to find chemistry, or to find your game. Its important for players to get their game going right now".
Max is leading by his exmaple. The guy's game is evolving before our eyes.
*****
That's my story and I'm stickin to it......
Garth
[email protected] 
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