So what to do when Hurricane Irene is gumming up the works along the Eastern Seaboard? The weather is cloudy and cool outside. Time to head to the rink, where the pros go!
Northtown Centre in suburban Buffalo has been abuzz all week. Indilvidual Sabres players are making their way back into town from their Summer homes and lake cottages. One by one, they are venturing back to their home away from home: the rink.
Its become an annual ritual for the pros to strap up, haul on the gear, toss the bucket over the Sumemr flow, and to get the hands, eys, wheels, and lungs ready for training camp. Gone are the days when NHLers go home after the season and work part time jobs as laborers and used car salesman. Today's NHL demands that the boys clean out their lockers, head out to a two week holiday with the lady friend or family, then, its back on the bike and back to the dungeon to pump weights and to build/maintan core strength. Former NHLer, Gary Roberts, just concluded his Bio Steel Gym camp in Toronto. A-listers like Stamkos, Gogliano, and Cammalleri all are disciples of Roberts and they follow religiously the fitness plan that he and partner Matt Nichols put forth.
NHLers don't dare use training camp as a "biggest loser" fat camp to get one's self back into playing shape. If you are an experienced NHLer and you sat around the cottage smoking cigs and pounding pale ale al Summer, your days in the best league in the world will be numbered. A hungry, young pup, with single digit body fat and the strength and speed of a cheetah will destroy the dreams and relegate fat vets to the AHL or to Europe. Its THAT important to arrive to camp in maximum health and conditioning.
Sabre players and prospects know that Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier drill fitness and rest, 24/7/365. Strength and conditioning coach, Doug McKenney is a stickler for every aspect of fitness and recovery. The Sabres are so successful because they place a high premium of achieving the best total fitness possible for each player and prospect. If you are a slacker and a have a beer gut, you need not apply in Buffalo.
Today, it was good to see some vets and rooks working out. Pat Kaleta, Drew Stafford, Nathan Gerbe, Matt Ellis, Cody McCormick, Brad Boyes, TJ Brennan, Drew Schiestel, Adam Mair David Leggio (Amerks tender) and a bunch of Niagara University D1 guys putting in their work at a spirited 90 minutes skills andn drills session. More Sabres will join in next week. Camp wil officially open on 9/16, so the boys have a couple of weeks to work their edges and to maximize their vo2 levels.
It was good to see my buddy, Drew Stafford, at the rink again. Last time I saw Staff was locker clean out day. At that time, he was a soon-to-be RFA, and the questions were swirling about whether Buffalo would want to retain him, or, if he'd become a beneficiary of the dreaded offer sheet. As you will recall, I began telling you back in December that Staff "ain't goin' anywhere", to quote Mr. Pegula. I don't want to say I told ya so, but.... I told ya so. Staff spent the Summer in his native Minnesota, and he's glad to be back in Buffalo.
Stafford loves the Sabres and the Sabres love Stafford. Period. End of sentence.
I know, I'm a shameless Stafford honk. Whatever. I know a 30+ goal scorer when I see one. I saw Staff's skills five years ago. I won't break my arm patting my own back.
I know what I know, and contrary to what some of you think, I actually do know what I am talking about when I talk about how highly the Sabres value Stafford.
Staff has more than earned his new four year, $16 large, pizza pie. With that, Staff will have to continue to grow his game. he'll have to be a dominant player on both side of the puck, in all three zones. He thrives 5 on 5 and on the PP. I'm told that Lindy will work Staff more on the PK. Gone are valuable Pkers Connolly, Grier, and Niedermayer. The coach will be relying on Stafford to be a complete player each and every shift of every game this season.
Its a tall order. Staff is up to the challenge.
"It was a busy Summer. I worked out the whole time, just like last Summer", Staff told me. "I want to be better this season than I was last season, and I'm putting in the work".
I'll say. The dude is built like a tank. He appears to me to be more toned than when he was when he left here for Minnesota back in April. He was in great shape then. He's in excellent shape now. His feet are as fast as his hands. His vision and awareness are superb. His shot is accurate and deadly. I see him scoring 35+ pucks this season.
I couldn't resist the temptation to chirp Staff's lettuce.
"What, no Summer flow?", I asked?
"Naw. Clean and mean", he laughed.
Times they are a changin'. In Summer's past, Staff would roll back to Buffalo be rockin the monster salad. This Summer, he's ALL business. High and tight. Crew cut. Shaved melon!
One of the youngsters running and gunning with the Sabres today was a sixteen year old local kid, with a bright hockey future. His name is Justin Bailey and he's a Buffalo kid. He's already 6'3" and he can skate like his hair's on fire. The kid is skinny and long, and he'll no doubt fill-out at the next level.
You see, Bailey is the son of former Buffalo Bills standout linebacker, Carlton Bailey. He has played for the Triple A Regals in Buffalo, and now he's on his way to Long Island, where he will play alongside the son of former Sabres captain, Pat LaFontaine. Justin told me that he made his USA travel team in Indiana, and he's looking forward to living with the Sabres legend and his family for this upcoming season.
"I'm excited for the chance to play in Long Island. Their house is great and I'm looking forward to the season", he told me.
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