"Today is the best that I've felt in a long time", Pat Kaleta told me after the team's skate at First Niagara Center. "I'm close, and I'm hoping that I'll be good to go and come back this week".
The Sabres can desperately use Kaleta 130 km per hour fore check, and his tight gap penalty kills skills against the Sens, Leafs, and Penguins.
"There's no doubt about it. All the teams we play this week have skill and speed. You have to deny their bast players time and space and make their D have to react to a fast fore check".
Kaleta cannot say what tomorrow brings, however, he is encouraged by the way he's feeling today.
"I'm just going to listen to the trainers and I'll keep doing what they ask me to do. I just want to get back to work to help this team win some games".
*****
Brayden McNabb told me the secret to the success that he has experienced in the seven games that he has played in a Buffalo Sabres sweater.
The Kootenay Kid has no panic in his game.
"You're right. Thats one of my strengths, ever since I was a Midget. I like the game to come to me".
This kid has been a Rock of Gibraltar for the Sabres, and has added a wheel barrow full of toughness and smarts to the Sabres D corps that has been depleted by injuries to Tyler Myers, Mike Weber, and Jordan Leopold this season.
Coincidentally, Weber has been cleared to play. If I'm MA Gragnani, I'm concerned right now. More on the Weber new later.
McNasty has an uncanny knack to not only read his keys, but then he has the above average ability to skate backwards, and to use his lower core and legs to drive off his edges to close the gap on the puck carrrier. Before you know it, the 6'5 225 lb. McNasty is dropping enemy forwards like bowling pins.
McNasty has such great vision, and strength to augment his lift-and-separate technique.
I called him a coaching clinic on skates because his skating and hitting fundamentals are spot on. He laughed.
I asked the B-81 Bomber to tell me his trade secret for tracking a hit and then lowering the boom on his opponents.
"You wanna know? I always watch to see if their head's down. Then, I try to get there as quickly as possible. I get excited when I see a guy with his head down, with the puck. But, I have to be careful with the really skilled players because as I'm watching his head position, he's watching my feet. Its kind of like a game. He's watching me while I'm watching him. Its a chess game for sure".
From the mouths of babes. McNasty has "IT". I don't know what "IT" is, but I do know that all of the best hitting Dmen in NHL history have had "IT".
Scott Stevens had "IT".
Hey, McNasty. Anyone ever compare your ferocious style to that of NHL Hall of Famer, Scott Stevens?
"No. I don't know about that. I'm very respectful of Scott Stevens and all that he accomplished in his NHL career. He had a knack for it... catching guys with their heads down
and finsihing. Its something that I try to do. I'm no Scott Stevens. I have a lot to work on. This is the best league in the world and I'm still learning".
Modesty. Humility. Pugnacity.
McNasty.
*****
Lindy Ruff is pumped up to play the teams that his team hates: Ottawa, Tronna, and Pittsburgh (sans Sidney Crosby due to concussion symptoms)
thanks, sabres.com
****
Thomas Vanek wants to drop the puck and get back to work.
The Sabres are back on the ice. The NY Rangers loss was promptly sent screaming up the north bound I-190 to the Model City land fill.
Don't look back, you can never look back!
Here are your line trios at today's practice:
26-58-29
63-9-21
71-23-54
8-28-36 and 37
Fresh faces at this skate are Gaustad and Kaleta.
Colin Stuart was sent back to Rochester on Sunday morning.
****
Luke Adam has had himself a productive season in Buffalo. The rookie centreman is presently tied for 4th place among the NHL Individual Rookie Scoring Leaders.
In 29 games played, Adam has 9 goals and 10 assists. He's averaging 13:23 in total ice time.
Adam trails only Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (32 points), Craig Smith (22 pts), Adam Henrique (20 pts), Matt Read (19 pts).
I chatted with the rook about his upward ascent in the NHL.
"I'm learning something new every day. The guys in this room have been great to me. The coaches in Portland and here have been extremely supportive, too".
I asked Adam is playing in the World Junior Championships has prepared him for the bright lights and big stages of the NHL.
"No doubt. Playing in the World Juniors, for your country is really special. The pressure was very motivating for me. Look at all the media attention and the TV coverage. Its crazy. Playing for Team Canada, and playing with the best of the best young players in the world is very impressive. It has prepared me for this Buffalo opportunity".
Adam told me that his WJC experiences were mostly positive, however, its a loss that he still thinks of.
"Losing in OT, to the Americans. That was tough. But they had a great team and we battles them hard til the end. There is so much talent in North America and in Europe. I'm proud to have played for my country".
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