Forward Nick Baptiste will be making his NHL debut tonight versus the Calgary Flames.
You can call it a baptism by fire.
Sabres head coach announces Baptiste's entry into the lineup during his game day scrum.
Baptiste scored 28 points (13G, 15A) in 62 games for the Rochester Amerks in his first pro season in 2015-16.
Buffalo trios from game day skate:
Reinhart-ROR-Okposo
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Ennis-Girgensons-Deslauriers
Moulson-Grant-Baptiste
I like the idea of Bylsma sitting rookie Hudson Fasching who played so so in his first two NHL games. Fasching is an effective down low, cycle man who moves well for a big man and can finish. The game will slow down for Fasching when he watches the action from 150 feet above the ice.
Baptiste is a big play threat when the puck is on his stick. Baptiste played an integral role for the OHL Erie Otters where he set up and converted plays from Connor McDavid, Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, Remy Erie and other game breakers. Coincidentally, Baptiste's great friend Strome will also be making his NHL debut tonight for the Arizona Coyotes.
Baptiste offers a scintillating suite of high end speed and skills to the Buffalo lineup. He plays fast and can get to his top speed in 3 to 4 strides. Baptiste has similar speed and skill to Calgary's sophomore phenom Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames love to push the pace and thrown the bomb to shooting stars Gaudreau, Sean Monohan and Sam Bennett. Dan Bylsma is wise to inject Baptiste into the lineup to give Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan another offensive threat to have to contend with.
Baptiste was called up when Evander Kane and Jack Eichel suffered long term injuries last week.
Baptiste scored a goal and an assist in the Amerks' win over Hershey, and was then called up to Buffalo.
Baptiste plays with high pace, power and passion. His speed and ability to hold onto pucks will serve him wel in Buffalo's lineup. Baptiste knows what to do with the puck when he has it on his stick.
Baptiste (6’1”, 206 lbs.) recorded a goal and an assist in Rochester’s season-opener last night against the Hershey Bears. The Ottawa, Ontario native tallied two points (1G, 1A) in two preseason games with the Sabres in September.
The Sabres’ third-round selection (69th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft, Baptiste made his professional debut with Rochester in the 2015-16 season, ranking third among Amerks rookies with 28 points (13+15) in 62 games.
**
Tonight is legendary equipment manager Rip Simonick's 3,500th career game.
Rip is an iconic figure inside the NHL. He has worked with every icon and legend in Sabres team history.
Congrats to you, Mr. Simonick.
***
Join the Discussion:
»