Published by hockeybuzz.com, 2-16-2017
Some of the first words at 6'5" 230 defenseman Nikita Zadorov's draft presser were, "Yeah, I like to hit." The native of Moscow, Russia delivered that line with a "cat that ate the canary"smile that revealed his pure love for that aspect of the game.
Buffalo had two first round picks in 2013--their own No. 8-overall and the 16th which came from the Minnesota Wild in the Jason Pominville trade. With their first selection the Sabres picked 6'3" 219 lb. Finnish defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, whom then director of scouting Kevin Devine said they keyed upon. As the draft moved on and No. 16 was getting closer, Zadorov kept dropping.
With the Sabres in need of quality forward help in addition to definitive needs on defense, Devine said that the team had no intention of drafting another defenseman in the first round, but Zadorov kept dropping. Devine also said that he and his scouts had Ristolainen and Zadorov "neck in neck" leading up to the draft and as the big Russian kept dropping their eyes got bigger. When Zadorov dropped to No. 16, the Sabres snatched him up.
"We were looking to move up but teams were saying no and he kept sliding and sliding," said Devine at the time. "So, to get those two big guys [without trading up] was pretty nice."
After getting over the shock of the Sabres not drafting a forward with the second of their two first round picks, Sabres fans began to conjure up visions of a "Twin Towers" top-pairing on defense. Ristolainen was a two-way, right-handed defenseman who loved to get up ice while Zadorov loved to hit and was preened in Russia to play defense. At the Traverse City Tournament that year the two got plenty of time as a pairing and looked impressive causing Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch to write, "I'm no scout, but those two looked beastly on the backend."
That was the dream, a big, mobile left/right, top-pairing duo that would anchor the Sabres defense for years to come.
However, that's about as far as it got.
Both were with the Sabres to open the tumultuous 2013-14 season and while Ristolainen, touted as the most NHL ready defenseman at the 2013 draft not named Seth Jones, was thrown right into the fire, Buffalo was 10 games into an awful season before Zadorov hit the ice. Oddly enough, Zadorov's NHL debut came against the Colorado Avalanche. He recorded three hits in 11:01 of ice-time.
Buffalo was 1-8-1 after their loss to Colorado with the downward spiral spinning off the GM and head coach, as they were both fired. With a new regime in town, the many youngins that the team started with were eventually sent to their respective developmental leagues. After 34 games with the Sabres, Ristolainen was sent to Rochester where he played another 34 games while Zadorov was sent to junior, rejoining the London Knights.
It was at the end of that hockey season that their two paths diverged even further.
Ristolainen was very unhappy that he was sent to the Amerks and used that anger back in Finland by taking out his frustrations in the weight room. He hit Buffalo's 2014 Development Camp cut with a look that said, "You're not sending me back to the AHL this year. He never touched AHL ice again.
Zadorov came into development camp that year out of shape and not ready for the pro game. Here's what I wrote back in September, 2014 as the Sabers were looking at more cuts before heading into the regular season:
"D, Nikita Zadorov--Fans are clamoring for the big rear-guard to make the team this season, but he is still a very raw prospect. If (when?) he gets sent back to junior, it will be a big disappointment for Zadorov, but nothing should be given to him. He had the opportunity to dominate at Traverse City but failed to show up against Dallas and was benched for the second half of the game. That pretty much punched his ticket back to London for another season in junior. Zadorov has tons of talent, including untapped offensive potential, but he's still a kid that needs to mature both physically and mentally. Physically he needs to work on his conditioning. Mentally he needs to adopt a more a professional approach to make it to the NHL. There's a wonderful, fun-loving, mischievous child inside of Zadorov that could eventually meld with his skills, size and aggressiveness to produce a top-notch player that's a fun teammate to be with, but a pain to play against. That personality could eventually balance out the somewhat stiff, very professional Rasmus Ristolainen on a "Twin-Towers" defensive pairing (like they did at the 2013 Traverse City tournament) of the future. But Zadorov needs to pay his dues first. It's as simple as that."
It didn't get better for Zadorov either as he soon found himself in hockey no-man's land. He clearly wasn't ready for the NHL but was too good for junior, something that also happened to fellow first-rounder, Mikhail Girgorenko (2012, 12th-overall,) and there was soon a tug-of-war between three leagues. According to Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald, his KHL team would not release his rights to the CHL, thus forcing Buffalo to keep him in a league he wasn't ready for or lose him to the KHL.
And it didn't get any better after that.
Zadorov had respectable numbers (3g, 12 assists, -10) for a 19 yr. old playing sheltered minutes that season, but he clearly wasn't ready physically or mentally for the game itself or the professionalism that was expected of him.
The Sabres worked on the conditioning part in-season and Zadorov responded, with the coach saying that the big Russian was working his butt off. It began to show on the ice but they were still unsure of his mental approach to the game going so far as to keep him with the Sabres instead of allowing him to go back to Russia to train for the 2015 World Junior Championships.
Those reservations ended up being well founded as Zadorov was bumped from a flight post All-Star break after he and his girlfriend spent the break in the Dominican Republic. He missed practice and the team flight to Calgary and was suspended by the team but would get back into the lineup in Vancouver after being out for two games.
GM Tim Murray could not have been pleased with the chain of events that occurred with Zadorov, nor that Zadorov, according to Murray, asked if his suspension was "part of the rules, part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement."
At the 2015 NHL Draft Zadorov was part of a package sent to the Avalanche for forwards Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn.
Of all the players Murray traded away, Zadorov was one of the toughest to see go. And with all the trouble Murray has had finding a d-partner for Ristolainen, having a maturing Zadorov in that spot would've saved everyone a lot of headaches. Would he have done so in Buffalo? Who knows?
The Sabres traded away a good one with plenty of upside in Zadorov but it's the old adage, "you have to give in order to get." O'Reilly is a consummate pro and has been better than expected in the eyes of many while helping transform the forward group. With Zadorov, you just never know. All the physical tools are there but how much progress can and will he make in the mental/professional aspects of the game is to be determined and it's something Murray probably wasn't interested in finding out. He knew what he was getting with O'Reilly.
Colorado visits Buffalo tonight with the worst record in the league. It will be the second team in Zadorov's career that's plummeting to the bottom. From what I've seen, he's still got that child-like demeanor and as Mark Scheiffle of the Winnipeg Jets found out a couple of weeks ago, he still likes to hit.
We'll see what he has in store for his former team tonight.
Showing posts with label Nikita Zadorov. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nikita Zadorov. Show all posts
Friday, February 17, 2017
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Sabres draft-day makeover: Jack Eichel, Robin Lehner, Ryan O'Reilly
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
There was a time earlier this calendar year when Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray had three first round picks heading into the 2015 NHL draft and five total stretching from the second overall down to pick No. 51. Then came the blockbuster trade for Evander Kane on February 11th that saw one of those picks, the lower of the two not Buffalo's, head to Winnipeg.
Even so, he still landed in Fort Lauderdale armed with two first-rounders (Nos. 2 and 21) and two second-rounders (Nos. 31 and 51) in what's being considered as a very deep 2015 draft. Odds were slim that he wasn't going to use all those picks as the Sabres had accumulated many picks and prospects over the last few years. When he came on board 18 months ago, the Sabres had already been stocking their cupboard and he added to that with his moves around the 2014 trade deadline. He continued adding at the 2015 deadline saying, "our time is the future."
That future came pretty quick. After finishing in 30th place and finding out where they would be from the draft lottery the theme went from "our time is the future" to the future begins now.
Murray gave us a preview of what might happen on the draft floor during the first round. At a pre-draft press gathering held at First Niagara Center he said he was looking to do something with the 21st pick--either move up or use it for a young veteran. One of his ideal scenarios would have "a team call and they're having problems with one of their players, that are having problems with their cap situation," he would say that day, "and they offer us a 23- or 24-year-old top-six forward or top-three defenseman or No. 1 goalie, and they'd be willing to take [the 21st pick] for that."
There was a time earlier this calendar year when Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray had three first round picks heading into the 2015 NHL draft and five total stretching from the second overall down to pick No. 51. Then came the blockbuster trade for Evander Kane on February 11th that saw one of those picks, the lower of the two not Buffalo's, head to Winnipeg.
Even so, he still landed in Fort Lauderdale armed with two first-rounders (Nos. 2 and 21) and two second-rounders (Nos. 31 and 51) in what's being considered as a very deep 2015 draft. Odds were slim that he wasn't going to use all those picks as the Sabres had accumulated many picks and prospects over the last few years. When he came on board 18 months ago, the Sabres had already been stocking their cupboard and he added to that with his moves around the 2014 trade deadline. He continued adding at the 2015 deadline saying, "our time is the future."
That future came pretty quick. After finishing in 30th place and finding out where they would be from the draft lottery the theme went from "our time is the future" to the future begins now.
Murray gave us a preview of what might happen on the draft floor during the first round. At a pre-draft press gathering held at First Niagara Center he said he was looking to do something with the 21st pick--either move up or use it for a young veteran. One of his ideal scenarios would have "a team call and they're having problems with one of their players, that are having problems with their cap situation," he would say that day, "and they offer us a 23- or 24-year-old top-six forward or top-three defenseman or No. 1 goalie, and they'd be willing to take [the 21st pick] for that."
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Threre's more to the Sabres future than just presumed 2nd-overall pick, Jack Eichel
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Probable second-overall draft prospect Jack Eichel deserves all the press he gets. Let's get that out of the way right off the bat. Yet in saying that we need to remember that he's still only 18 years old and has a ton to learn on the ice. We Sabres fans also need to keep in mind that although it's a foregone conclusion that he will be drafted by the Buffalo Sabres later this month, he's still not in the Sabres organization yet.
Members of the Buffalo Sabres brass walked into First Niagara Center for the interview portion of the 2015 NHL Draft Combine and stuck to their agenda. They still went through the interview process with Eichel, just like they will do with presumed 1st-overall selection Connor McDavid and many of the 120 prospects in Buffalo for the Combine. Questions like, "what are your strengths and weaknesses?" and "Do you like Buffalo?" are some general ones. Those specific to Eichel included "how did you feel about your year at Boston University and losing in the NCAA Final Four?" and "Do you need to go back and win that game again?" They're the parameters of the process and some of the things Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma delved into when discussing Eichel on WGR's Howard Simon Show this morning.
Bylsma would quickly qualify the Eichel-specific process by saying, "You ask those questions just like you would any other kid. Whatever the chances are in Vegas are that Eichel is not the second-overall pick (for Buffalo,) that's still a part of the conversation too."
Probable second-overall draft prospect Jack Eichel deserves all the press he gets. Let's get that out of the way right off the bat. Yet in saying that we need to remember that he's still only 18 years old and has a ton to learn on the ice. We Sabres fans also need to keep in mind that although it's a foregone conclusion that he will be drafted by the Buffalo Sabres later this month, he's still not in the Sabres organization yet.
Members of the Buffalo Sabres brass walked into First Niagara Center for the interview portion of the 2015 NHL Draft Combine and stuck to their agenda. They still went through the interview process with Eichel, just like they will do with presumed 1st-overall selection Connor McDavid and many of the 120 prospects in Buffalo for the Combine. Questions like, "what are your strengths and weaknesses?" and "Do you like Buffalo?" are some general ones. Those specific to Eichel included "how did you feel about your year at Boston University and losing in the NCAA Final Four?" and "Do you need to go back and win that game again?" They're the parameters of the process and some of the things Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma delved into when discussing Eichel on WGR's Howard Simon Show this morning.
Bylsma would quickly qualify the Eichel-specific process by saying, "You ask those questions just like you would any other kid. Whatever the chances are in Vegas are that Eichel is not the second-overall pick (for Buffalo,) that's still a part of the conversation too."
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Nikita Zadorov and Mikhail Grigorenko at different stages of the developmental process
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
There was a point in the season when Buffalo Sabres rookie defenseman Nikita Zadorov was logging games of 20-plus minutes in a top-four role while playing alongside fellow youngin, Rasmus Ristolainen. The "Twin Towers" on defense gave fans a starry-eyed glimpse into the future as they were in lock-down mode much of the time while helping propel the team to their best stretch of the season.
It's easy to forget, however, that Zadorov is only 19 years old and plays a position that takes most players years to figure out. Rare is the teenager that can walk into the National Hockey League and have the physical and mental maturity to log 20-plus minutes effectively over the course of an 82-game season. A player with that type of game is usually found at or near the top of the draft like Drew Doughty in 2008 (LAK, 2nd-overall,) Victor Hedman (TBL, 2009, 2nd-overall) and Aaron Ekblad (FLA, 2014, 1st overall.)
Zadorov was drafted 16th-overall in 2013.
There was a point in the season when Buffalo Sabres rookie defenseman Nikita Zadorov was logging games of 20-plus minutes in a top-four role while playing alongside fellow youngin, Rasmus Ristolainen. The "Twin Towers" on defense gave fans a starry-eyed glimpse into the future as they were in lock-down mode much of the time while helping propel the team to their best stretch of the season.
It's easy to forget, however, that Zadorov is only 19 years old and plays a position that takes most players years to figure out. Rare is the teenager that can walk into the National Hockey League and have the physical and mental maturity to log 20-plus minutes effectively over the course of an 82-game season. A player with that type of game is usually found at or near the top of the draft like Drew Doughty in 2008 (LAK, 2nd-overall,) Victor Hedman (TBL, 2009, 2nd-overall) and Aaron Ekblad (FLA, 2014, 1st overall.)
Zadorov was drafted 16th-overall in 2013.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Tim Murray defines a "changing" core for his team
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The word "core" can be a four-letter word from the point of view of a Sabres fan in 2015. It's a word that conjures up visions of a talented group of individual players who's underachieving, passive play inevitably lead to years of mediocrity as a team. "Core" can be a good word, like in Los Angeles with the Kings or with the Blackhawks in Chicago. Or it can touch a nerve, like in Buffalo.
When Sabres' broadcaster Brian Duff asked Buffalo GM Tim Murray to "define the core," yesterday before the game at Washington, it caused a mild twitch, albeit much milder than in recent years past. And that's a good thing as the past is slowly giving way to the future.
So how many players represent Murray's core right now?
"It changes depending on the circumstances," Murray told Duff. "Certainly today when you have Brian Gionta, Matty Moulson and Josh Gorges (the Sabres' three captains) and [Zemgus] Girgensons and [Mike] Weber and the two kids on the blue line (Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov.)
"They're here. They're all NHL players."
The word "core" can be a four-letter word from the point of view of a Sabres fan in 2015. It's a word that conjures up visions of a talented group of individual players who's underachieving, passive play inevitably lead to years of mediocrity as a team. "Core" can be a good word, like in Los Angeles with the Kings or with the Blackhawks in Chicago. Or it can touch a nerve, like in Buffalo.
When Sabres' broadcaster Brian Duff asked Buffalo GM Tim Murray to "define the core," yesterday before the game at Washington, it caused a mild twitch, albeit much milder than in recent years past. And that's a good thing as the past is slowly giving way to the future.
So how many players represent Murray's core right now?
"It changes depending on the circumstances," Murray told Duff. "Certainly today when you have Brian Gionta, Matty Moulson and Josh Gorges (the Sabres' three captains) and [Zemgus] Girgensons and [Mike] Weber and the two kids on the blue line (Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov.)
"They're here. They're all NHL players."
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Grigorenko, Makarov sent down, Hackett recalled, plus more on goalies
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Before anyone loses their minds upon hearing that the Sabres have sent F, Mikhail Grigorenko to Rochester, note that he was called up on an emergency basis because F, Zac Dalpe was tending to family matters. With Dalpe back, Grigorenko jumps back on I-90 and heads east to Rochester (hopefully not flat as a pancake.)
The Amerks, surprisingly, have more than held their own since the NHL's March 2nd trade deadline when Buffalo GM Tim Murray moved three forwards from the roster. Forwards Chris Stewart, Torrey Mitchell and Brian Flynn were replaced in the lineup by call-ups Tim Schaller and Jerry D'Amigo who joined recent Amerks call-ups Johan Larsson and Zac Dalpe. Rochester is 1-0-0-1 since despite Varone, Schaller and Larsson spending one or more games in Buffalo. Also of note, when Dalpe was out, he was leading the Amerks in scoring with 16 goals.
Grigorenko was called up with Schaller and D'Amigo but was more of a security blanket if F, Tyler Ennis wasn't able to go at Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He was in the press box with Ennis ready to go, then was sent back down. But with Dalpe out at Ottawa last night, Grigorenko was able to say that the trip did more than just put another stamp on his passport.
More changes are coming for tonight and you can add that Chad Johnson, who was acquired in a trade deadline deal from the Islanders in the Michal Neuvirth trade, to the list. He is in a walking boot and possibly out for the season after taking a puck to his foot. In his stead, Andrey Makarov was recalled for the Ottawa game to back up Anders Lindack who was acquired from Dallas in the Jhonas Enroth trade back on February 11th.
Now Makarov was sent down and goalie Matt Hackett recalled (more on him in a bit) for tonight's game at Washington.
Before anyone loses their minds upon hearing that the Sabres have sent F, Mikhail Grigorenko to Rochester, note that he was called up on an emergency basis because F, Zac Dalpe was tending to family matters. With Dalpe back, Grigorenko jumps back on I-90 and heads east to Rochester (hopefully not flat as a pancake.)
The Amerks, surprisingly, have more than held their own since the NHL's March 2nd trade deadline when Buffalo GM Tim Murray moved three forwards from the roster. Forwards Chris Stewart, Torrey Mitchell and Brian Flynn were replaced in the lineup by call-ups Tim Schaller and Jerry D'Amigo who joined recent Amerks call-ups Johan Larsson and Zac Dalpe. Rochester is 1-0-0-1 since despite Varone, Schaller and Larsson spending one or more games in Buffalo. Also of note, when Dalpe was out, he was leading the Amerks in scoring with 16 goals.
Grigorenko was called up with Schaller and D'Amigo but was more of a security blanket if F, Tyler Ennis wasn't able to go at Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He was in the press box with Ennis ready to go, then was sent back down. But with Dalpe out at Ottawa last night, Grigorenko was able to say that the trip did more than just put another stamp on his passport.
More changes are coming for tonight and you can add that Chad Johnson, who was acquired in a trade deadline deal from the Islanders in the Michal Neuvirth trade, to the list. He is in a walking boot and possibly out for the season after taking a puck to his foot. In his stead, Andrey Makarov was recalled for the Ottawa game to back up Anders Lindack who was acquired from Dallas in the Jhonas Enroth trade back on February 11th.
Now Makarov was sent down and goalie Matt Hackett recalled (more on him in a bit) for tonight's game at Washington.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
A "contrite" Nikita Zadorov, an expressive Tim Murray, and tonights McEichel Cup
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov was said to be "contrite" in his apology at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta yesterday. "I shouldn't do that. I should make the trip a day early and have a safe day, an extra day," Zadorov said. "It's kind of my mistake. I shouldn't do that. Next time I have to be safer."
Zadorov did not report back to the team on time after the All-Star break as he was bumped from his return flight to Buffalo. He and his girlfriend were stranded in the Dominican Republic for another day and it caused him to miss practice as well as the Sabres flight to Calgary. His agent, Rolland Hedges, told Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald that “everything” was tried to get him back on time. "He’s upset,” Hedges was quoted as saying.
The team took a measured approach to the incident with head coach Ted Nolan taking the lead. Zadorov's a 19 yr. old kid who used an eight-day break to bask in the warmth of the Caribbean. Although it's not too far-fetched to think that he wasn't in the Dominican Republic on a Buddhist monk retreat, it's probably best to believe that this was nothing more than a matter of a young player who needs to leave himself more wiggle room when it comes to planning his flights.
“When you’re a 19-year-old kid, sometimes if you’re not instructed to do things, you know how kids can be sometimes,” Nolan said on Tuesday. “But this will be a big, big learning curve for him. But we’ll deal with it when he gets back.”
They did deal with it. Zadorov is no longer suspended and according to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News, "[he] was one of the first players on the ice and one of the last ones off in his first workout (in Edmonton yesterday) following the All-Star break."
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov was said to be "contrite" in his apology at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta yesterday. "I shouldn't do that. I should make the trip a day early and have a safe day, an extra day," Zadorov said. "It's kind of my mistake. I shouldn't do that. Next time I have to be safer."
Zadorov did not report back to the team on time after the All-Star break as he was bumped from his return flight to Buffalo. He and his girlfriend were stranded in the Dominican Republic for another day and it caused him to miss practice as well as the Sabres flight to Calgary. His agent, Rolland Hedges, told Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald that “everything” was tried to get him back on time. "He’s upset,” Hedges was quoted as saying.
The team took a measured approach to the incident with head coach Ted Nolan taking the lead. Zadorov's a 19 yr. old kid who used an eight-day break to bask in the warmth of the Caribbean. Although it's not too far-fetched to think that he wasn't in the Dominican Republic on a Buddhist monk retreat, it's probably best to believe that this was nothing more than a matter of a young player who needs to leave himself more wiggle room when it comes to planning his flights.
“When you’re a 19-year-old kid, sometimes if you’re not instructed to do things, you know how kids can be sometimes,” Nolan said on Tuesday. “But this will be a big, big learning curve for him. But we’ll deal with it when he gets back.”
They did deal with it. Zadorov is no longer suspended and according to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News, "[he] was one of the first players on the ice and one of the last ones off in his first workout (in Edmonton yesterday) following the All-Star break."
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Should the Buffalo Sabres claim Mike Richards? Plus quick-pops.
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
I’ve always been a fan of Mike Richards. He was a pick of former Philly GM Bobby Clarke who was pretty good at drafting top-notch centers with skill and bite. I love the 2003 draft class, which is one of the best in draft history, where Richards was picked 24th by the Flyers.
When Richards was at his best, his two-way game was amongst the best and he was extremely tough to play against. Although he crossed the line in this writer’s opinion, landing a couple of dirty hits which left David Booth and Tim Connolly injured, the way he masterfully disguised them was sheer genius. His style of play was in lock-step with an old-school attitude in that he’d do anything for the team on the ice. Kind of a throwback to the Broadstreet Bully days captained by Clarke.
Richards’ drive, cunning and chutzpah were attributes that were missing on the Los Angeles Kings in 2011 and I’m a firm believer that he is the main reason they were able to get over the hump and finally raise the Stanley Cup. Not the lone reason, mind you, but without him I’m of the belief that the Kings don’t get it done.
I’ve always been a fan of Mike Richards. He was a pick of former Philly GM Bobby Clarke who was pretty good at drafting top-notch centers with skill and bite. I love the 2003 draft class, which is one of the best in draft history, where Richards was picked 24th by the Flyers.
When Richards was at his best, his two-way game was amongst the best and he was extremely tough to play against. Although he crossed the line in this writer’s opinion, landing a couple of dirty hits which left David Booth and Tim Connolly injured, the way he masterfully disguised them was sheer genius. His style of play was in lock-step with an old-school attitude in that he’d do anything for the team on the ice. Kind of a throwback to the Broadstreet Bully days captained by Clarke.
Richards’ drive, cunning and chutzpah were attributes that were missing on the Los Angeles Kings in 2011 and I’m a firm believer that he is the main reason they were able to get over the hump and finally raise the Stanley Cup. Not the lone reason, mind you, but without him I’m of the belief that the Kings don’t get it done.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
If you're gonna have a "soft night," it might as well be on the road
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Perhaps the best way for the 2014-15 regular season to ultimately unfold is for a young, inconsistent Buffalo Sabres team to have strong, entertaining home games balanced by lackluster performances on the road.
On Saturday night Buffalo entered the third period down 3-0 at home to the NY Islanders. For the only the third time in franchise history they were able to come back and win the game (4-3 SO) and they left the ice as a raucous First Niagara Center crowd gave them a standing ovation.
Last night on the road in Ottawa, the Senators scored three unanswered goals, including an empty-netter to take down the Sabres 5-2 in a game that was punctuated by soft, "fly-by" play from the Sabres. Buffalo is now 4-12-1 on the road this season. Only the Edmonton Oilers (what a surprise) have less wins (2) than the Sabres on the road.
For a team that simply doesn't have the firepower to even make a playoff run, a win at home/lose on the road mentality offers up a modicum success in what would otherwise be another bad season.
Perhaps the best way for the 2014-15 regular season to ultimately unfold is for a young, inconsistent Buffalo Sabres team to have strong, entertaining home games balanced by lackluster performances on the road.
On Saturday night Buffalo entered the third period down 3-0 at home to the NY Islanders. For the only the third time in franchise history they were able to come back and win the game (4-3 SO) and they left the ice as a raucous First Niagara Center crowd gave them a standing ovation.
Last night on the road in Ottawa, the Senators scored three unanswered goals, including an empty-netter to take down the Sabres 5-2 in a game that was punctuated by soft, "fly-by" play from the Sabres. Buffalo is now 4-12-1 on the road this season. Only the Edmonton Oilers (what a surprise) have less wins (2) than the Sabres on the road.
For a team that simply doesn't have the firepower to even make a playoff run, a win at home/lose on the road mentality offers up a modicum success in what would otherwise be another bad season.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
WJC would be the right move for Nikita Zadorov.
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
When defenseman Nikita Zadorov was selected by his native Russia to attend their World Junior camp, he was in the midst helping his Buffalo Sabres team out of a season-long slump. It was late November and after starting the month with a 1-5-1 record, they seemed to be turning it around as the Sabres finished the month on a 5-1 run. One of the key ingredients in that turnaround was Zadorov.
Zadorov was paired with fellow 2013 first round pick Rasmus Ristolainen and the two would help anchor the blueline behind the top pairing of Tyler Myers and a surprising Tyson Strachan, who replaced the injured Josh Gorges. With things seemingly falling into place, the team on a roll and Zadorov looking like he belonged, the Sabres would've been hard-pressed to allow him to head to the WJC for a few weeks.
As always, things can change. The team has been slipping in December and Zadorov has taken a slight step back.
When defenseman Nikita Zadorov was selected by his native Russia to attend their World Junior camp, he was in the midst helping his Buffalo Sabres team out of a season-long slump. It was late November and after starting the month with a 1-5-1 record, they seemed to be turning it around as the Sabres finished the month on a 5-1 run. One of the key ingredients in that turnaround was Zadorov.
Zadorov was paired with fellow 2013 first round pick Rasmus Ristolainen and the two would help anchor the blueline behind the top pairing of Tyler Myers and a surprising Tyson Strachan, who replaced the injured Josh Gorges. With things seemingly falling into place, the team on a roll and Zadorov looking like he belonged, the Sabres would've been hard-pressed to allow him to head to the WJC for a few weeks.
As always, things can change. The team has been slipping in December and Zadorov has taken a slight step back.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
"Does this look familiar to you?"
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Such was the question coming from Buffalo Sabres play-by-play man Dan Dunleavy to rink-side analyst Rob Ray. Although you couldn't see him, you could hear a smile coming through when that question conjured up memories of a time when scenes like last night were commonplace. "Yeah, I love it," responded Ray, fondly recalling a raucous era of which he was a large part.
That was back in head coach Ted Nolan's first stint with the Sabres, and he had a rambunctious group to say the least. During the 1995-96 season, Matthew Barnaby, Brad May and Rob Ray accumulated 917 total penalty minutes, a good chunk of them from roughing calls and fighting majors. During that season, hockeyfights.com lists Barnaby with 28 fights, May with 17, and Ray, 27.
Of the three, though, the 6'0" 205 lb. Ray had the unenviable task of taking on the heavyweights. Yet he reveled in his role, never hesitating to drop 'em with the enforcers of the league like Todd Ewen, Ken Daneynko and Donald Brashear. His fights with Toronto's Tie Domi are legendary in both cities and he once had his orbital bone smashed by possibly the greatest fighter of all time, Tony Twist.
Such was the question coming from Buffalo Sabres play-by-play man Dan Dunleavy to rink-side analyst Rob Ray. Although you couldn't see him, you could hear a smile coming through when that question conjured up memories of a time when scenes like last night were commonplace. "Yeah, I love it," responded Ray, fondly recalling a raucous era of which he was a large part.
That was back in head coach Ted Nolan's first stint with the Sabres, and he had a rambunctious group to say the least. During the 1995-96 season, Matthew Barnaby, Brad May and Rob Ray accumulated 917 total penalty minutes, a good chunk of them from roughing calls and fighting majors. During that season, hockeyfights.com lists Barnaby with 28 fights, May with 17, and Ray, 27.
Of the three, though, the 6'0" 205 lb. Ray had the unenviable task of taking on the heavyweights. Yet he reveled in his role, never hesitating to drop 'em with the enforcers of the league like Todd Ewen, Ken Daneynko and Donald Brashear. His fights with Toronto's Tie Domi are legendary in both cities and he once had his orbital bone smashed by possibly the greatest fighter of all time, Tony Twist.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Nikita Zadorov "finds his way"
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Just about a month ago, the Buffalo Sabres were in a bit of a quandary with defensive prospect Nikita Zadorov as he was caught in the middle of a tug-of-war.
At the time Zadorov wasn't ready for the NHL, but he had outgrown the CHL and even though he'd be a man against boys, if need be, the Sabres were prepared to send him to the OHL's London Knights. Basically, two things kept him out of London and in a state of limbo in Buffalo--his aversion to playing junior hockey and CSKA Moscow's (KHL) refusal to sign a release for him to play there.
If Buffalo had sent Zadorov to the OHL, he could have ended up playing in the KHL instead, something that the Sabres really weren't interested in. So they were forced to keep him with the team.
As Zadorov is readying himself to suit up for his 10th game for the Sabres this season, thus kicking in his entry-level contract, it would seem as if the team was able to make some lemonade out of the lemons handed them.
Just about a month ago, the Buffalo Sabres were in a bit of a quandary with defensive prospect Nikita Zadorov as he was caught in the middle of a tug-of-war.
At the time Zadorov wasn't ready for the NHL, but he had outgrown the CHL and even though he'd be a man against boys, if need be, the Sabres were prepared to send him to the OHL's London Knights. Basically, two things kept him out of London and in a state of limbo in Buffalo--his aversion to playing junior hockey and CSKA Moscow's (KHL) refusal to sign a release for him to play there.
If Buffalo had sent Zadorov to the OHL, he could have ended up playing in the KHL instead, something that the Sabres really weren't interested in. So they were forced to keep him with the team.
As Zadorov is readying himself to suit up for his 10th game for the Sabres this season, thus kicking in his entry-level contract, it would seem as if the team was able to make some lemonade out of the lemons handed them.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Half-blind after watching the Sabres and Bills last night
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Any Buffalo sports fan who had one eye on the Sabres game and the other on the Bills last night is lucky to be able to see this morning. The Sabres lost 6-3 at Minnesota while the Bills turned in a clunker at Miami 22-9 in a game that had playoff implications despite being played in mid-November.
For Sabres' fans, losses are expected, unfortunately. All they're asking for is an honest effort and that Connor McDavid stops getting into fights. Yet, for as bad as this year has gone, these last two losses vs. a very strong St. Louis Blues club and a very good Wild team have provided some positives that look to be longstanding.
Against the Blues they managed to keep it relatively close for most of the game while pulling up their man pants and actually sticking up for each other and last night they scored three goals. It was the first time they've scored more than two goals in a game since their three-goal "outburst" against Carolina on October 14th.
Any Buffalo sports fan who had one eye on the Sabres game and the other on the Bills last night is lucky to be able to see this morning. The Sabres lost 6-3 at Minnesota while the Bills turned in a clunker at Miami 22-9 in a game that had playoff implications despite being played in mid-November.
For Sabres' fans, losses are expected, unfortunately. All they're asking for is an honest effort and that Connor McDavid stops getting into fights. Yet, for as bad as this year has gone, these last two losses vs. a very strong St. Louis Blues club and a very good Wild team have provided some positives that look to be longstanding.
Against the Blues they managed to keep it relatively close for most of the game while pulling up their man pants and actually sticking up for each other and last night they scored three goals. It was the first time they've scored more than two goals in a game since their three-goal "outburst" against Carolina on October 14th.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Kaleta's back. Deslauriers is (kind of) sorry, and the Sabres "Twin Towers"
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
One year ago today, after starting the 2013-14 season with an NHL-worst 4-15-1 record, the Buffalo Sabres fired long-time general manager Darcy Regier and head coach Ron Rolston.
Owner Terry Pegula made the announcement and said of the decision, "[Regier] didn't do what he did by himself. There was input from many people, prior owners, myself.
"Why now? I just decided, and that's the only answer I can give you. We work together, and sometimes you get to the point where a change was needed."
Over the summer Regier told the fans to be prepared for some "suffering" as he was close to fully dismantling the team he constructed. Amongst his remaining core players, only goalie Ryan Miller remained as forward Thomas Vanek was shipped to the NY Islanders on October 27. Regier's core, or "The Rochester Guys" as team President Ted Black called them, also included Paul Gaustad, Derek Roy and Jason Pominville.
One year ago today, after starting the 2013-14 season with an NHL-worst 4-15-1 record, the Buffalo Sabres fired long-time general manager Darcy Regier and head coach Ron Rolston.
Owner Terry Pegula made the announcement and said of the decision, "[Regier] didn't do what he did by himself. There was input from many people, prior owners, myself.
"Why now? I just decided, and that's the only answer I can give you. We work together, and sometimes you get to the point where a change was needed."
Over the summer Regier told the fans to be prepared for some "suffering" as he was close to fully dismantling the team he constructed. Amongst his remaining core players, only goalie Ryan Miller remained as forward Thomas Vanek was shipped to the NY Islanders on October 27. Regier's core, or "The Rochester Guys" as team President Ted Black called them, also included Paul Gaustad, Derek Roy and Jason Pominville.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Sabres display some anger against the Blues last night
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
In the years between Ted Nolan's time on the Buffalo Sabres bench we often heard about how players needed to stick up for each other, and how important it was. There were instances of that happening between his head coaching stints in Buffalo, like Drew Stafford, a rookie at the time, engaging with the Ottawa Senators Chris Neil after the latter laid out Chris Drury with a cheap shot. But the occurrences were too few and far between and nearly every time a Sabres player "stuck up for his teammate," one was left with the impression that it was more obligatory than something straight from the heart.
As a team, they're still at that place, but it would seem as if they might be beginning to break free. Or at least trying to.
Last night, St. Louis Blues d-man Ian Cole sent Tyler Ennis into the boards. The 6'1" 220 lb. Cole simply brushed off the 5'9" 160 lb Ennis around the goal line sending him to the ice and hard into the wall. It was well after the play and probably didn't need happen. But it did.
Rookie Nikita Zadorov ended up engaging in a bout with Cole, acquitting himself well, while Ennis found himself fighting 5'11" 220 lb. Alexander Steen. Said Ennis, "I went into the scrum, just trying to give [Cole] a couple shots and Steen comes in out of nowhere and had his gloves off. I didn't know until about ten seconds in that his gloves were off and I was 'in-one.'"
In the years between Ted Nolan's time on the Buffalo Sabres bench we often heard about how players needed to stick up for each other, and how important it was. There were instances of that happening between his head coaching stints in Buffalo, like Drew Stafford, a rookie at the time, engaging with the Ottawa Senators Chris Neil after the latter laid out Chris Drury with a cheap shot. But the occurrences were too few and far between and nearly every time a Sabres player "stuck up for his teammate," one was left with the impression that it was more obligatory than something straight from the heart.
As a team, they're still at that place, but it would seem as if they might be beginning to break free. Or at least trying to.
Last night, St. Louis Blues d-man Ian Cole sent Tyler Ennis into the boards. The 6'1" 220 lb. Cole simply brushed off the 5'9" 160 lb Ennis around the goal line sending him to the ice and hard into the wall. It was well after the play and probably didn't need happen. But it did.
Rookie Nikita Zadorov ended up engaging in a bout with Cole, acquitting himself well, while Ennis found himself fighting 5'11" 220 lb. Alexander Steen. Said Ennis, "I went into the scrum, just trying to give [Cole] a couple shots and Steen comes in out of nowhere and had his gloves off. I didn't know until about ten seconds in that his gloves were off and I was 'in-one.'"
Friday, November 7, 2014
Dear Habs fans, you're kidding me, right?
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
There's no justification, nor is there any rationalization of Montreal Canadiens rookie Jiri Sekac's boarding of Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
Say what you will about Zadorov "turning at the last moment." You know, like when you quickly survey the flow of the play in anticipation of wear you can go with the puck then actually attempt to play it instead of turning away from it.
Yeah, it was his fault. And when former ref Kerry Fraser backs it, well you know you're right. Right?
Save your blabber.
I have one question. Would you feel the same way if a Sabres' player did the exact same thing to a Canadiens player?
It's doubtful.
What it should come down to in this case, as with any, is intent to injure. Even though intent to injure is almost impossible to prove, Jiri Sekac was intent upon doing as much damage as he could to a player in a vulnerable position. It matters not whether or not Zadorov was at fault for putting himself in a vulnerable position (and you can't prove that he foresaw what was coming as he was about to play the puck.) It was a brutal hit. So brutal that the immediate reaction from the booth was "That might be a game ejection. That was a vicious hit."
And so it was.
You see, it wasn't about Zadorov, it was how Sekac zoned in on Zadorov's back, "He's looking at numbers the whole way" and the speed with which he went in. That and how Sekac snapped his hips for maximum impact on contact, kind of like a boxer when he snaps those hips while throwing a roundhouse to get the most power out of his punch.
Even though Sekac "does not let up one bit," the impact would have been lessened had he not cocked and released a George Forman-like roundhouse elbow smack dab between the five and one.
Don't worry, though, Sabres fans are accustomed to this kind of stuff. The city of Buffalo, the Sabres and their fans are looked (down) upon as the bastard-child of the red-headed stepchild and no matter what the child did, it's his fault.
We get it.
Just remember, very dog has his day.
Woof.
There's no justification, nor is there any rationalization of Montreal Canadiens rookie Jiri Sekac's boarding of Sabres defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
Say what you will about Zadorov "turning at the last moment." You know, like when you quickly survey the flow of the play in anticipation of wear you can go with the puck then actually attempt to play it instead of turning away from it.
Yeah, it was his fault. And when former ref Kerry Fraser backs it, well you know you're right. Right?
Save your blabber.
I have one question. Would you feel the same way if a Sabres' player did the exact same thing to a Canadiens player?
It's doubtful.
What it should come down to in this case, as with any, is intent to injure. Even though intent to injure is almost impossible to prove, Jiri Sekac was intent upon doing as much damage as he could to a player in a vulnerable position. It matters not whether or not Zadorov was at fault for putting himself in a vulnerable position (and you can't prove that he foresaw what was coming as he was about to play the puck.) It was a brutal hit. So brutal that the immediate reaction from the booth was "That might be a game ejection. That was a vicious hit."
And so it was.
You see, it wasn't about Zadorov, it was how Sekac zoned in on Zadorov's back, "He's looking at numbers the whole way" and the speed with which he went in. That and how Sekac snapped his hips for maximum impact on contact, kind of like a boxer when he snaps those hips while throwing a roundhouse to get the most power out of his punch.
Even though Sekac "does not let up one bit," the impact would have been lessened had he not cocked and released a George Forman-like roundhouse elbow smack dab between the five and one.
Don't worry, though, Sabres fans are accustomed to this kind of stuff. The city of Buffalo, the Sabres and their fans are looked (down) upon as the bastard-child of the red-headed stepchild and no matter what the child did, it's his fault.
We get it.
Just remember, very dog has his day.
Woof.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Les Habitants visit Buffalo with Brian Gionta, Josh Gorges. Plus, susceptibility
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Buffalo Sabres continue a four-game homestand tonight as they host the Montreal Canadiens, a team that they've played 262 times. It's not hard to imagine the Les Habitants, a franchise with 24 Stanley Cups and over 3000 wins, dominating the Sabres. But, oddly enough, through four and a half decades of battling with Montreal, the Sabres have a 119-106-37 record in the series.
Recent history, though, hasn't been so kind. Although they are 4-6-0 in their last 10 games against Montreal, the Sabres haven't beaten the Canadiens since a 2-1 victory in Montreal on March 23, 2013. Since then Buffalo is 0-5-0, have scored only four goals and were shut out in the last two meetings.
Montreal enters tonight's contest with 17 points via an 8-4-1 record, good for second in the Atlantic Division. After a hot start, they've cooled considerably going 0-2-1 in their last three including back-to-back blowouts at home. They were dumped 6-2 by the upstart Calgary Flames on Sunday and were shut out by the Chicago Blackhawks 5-0 last night.
The Buffalo Sabres continue a four-game homestand tonight as they host the Montreal Canadiens, a team that they've played 262 times. It's not hard to imagine the Les Habitants, a franchise with 24 Stanley Cups and over 3000 wins, dominating the Sabres. But, oddly enough, through four and a half decades of battling with Montreal, the Sabres have a 119-106-37 record in the series.
Recent history, though, hasn't been so kind. Although they are 4-6-0 in their last 10 games against Montreal, the Sabres haven't beaten the Canadiens since a 2-1 victory in Montreal on March 23, 2013. Since then Buffalo is 0-5-0, have scored only four goals and were shut out in the last two meetings.
Montreal enters tonight's contest with 17 points via an 8-4-1 record, good for second in the Atlantic Division. After a hot start, they've cooled considerably going 0-2-1 in their last three including back-to-back blowouts at home. They were dumped 6-2 by the upstart Calgary Flames on Sunday and were shut out by the Chicago Blackhawks 5-0 last night.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Sam Reinhart sent back to junior. Still awaiting a Nikita Zadorov decision
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Buffalo Sabres' rookie forward Sam Reinhart was returned to the Kootenay Ice, his junior team, today. The 2nd overall pick in the 2014 Draft was held without a goal and managed only one assist with the team and was playing fourth-line minutes during the latter part of his stay. Because he did not appear in his 10th NHL game for Buffalo, his entry-level contract will not kick in.
Simple statistics dictate that the move was warranted. Other players in his situation like forwards Leon Draisatl (EDM, 2014 3rd-overall,) Andre Burakowsky (WSH, 2013, 23rd) and Defenseman Aaron Ekblad (FLA, 2014, 1st) all had better numbers and were playing bigger minutes.
For a statistical comparison, through nine games, Draisatl had a goal and two assists averaging over 13 minutes per game and Burakowsky has two goals and six assists averaging 14 minutes per game as the Capitals #2 center. Ekblad is averaging nearly 22 minutes of ice-time per game on the Cats defense. He's playing second-pairing minutes while being one of the anchors on the penalty kill unit. He has two assists.
And the teams that those three are playing on are in much better shape than the Sabres at this point. After a slow start a young Edmonton team with plenty of talent up-front has gained some traction having won four in a row before losing to Nashville on Wednesday. The Panthers also started slow but went 2-0-2 in their last four games. Washington sits right in the middle of the Metropolitan Division with a 4-3-2 record.
But, one could also say that although Reinhart was on a bad team in Buffalo playing just over 10 minutes a game, he didn't look that much out of place in an NHL rink. He's always played a subtle game and he continued with that during his stint with the Sabres. You could see progress as he was learning the game and he would have continued to learn more as the season went on. But it was not enough, especially when you look at the physical differences in Reinhart and NHL players.
Buffalo Sabres' rookie forward Sam Reinhart was returned to the Kootenay Ice, his junior team, today. The 2nd overall pick in the 2014 Draft was held without a goal and managed only one assist with the team and was playing fourth-line minutes during the latter part of his stay. Because he did not appear in his 10th NHL game for Buffalo, his entry-level contract will not kick in.
Simple statistics dictate that the move was warranted. Other players in his situation like forwards Leon Draisatl (EDM, 2014 3rd-overall,) Andre Burakowsky (WSH, 2013, 23rd) and Defenseman Aaron Ekblad (FLA, 2014, 1st) all had better numbers and were playing bigger minutes.
For a statistical comparison, through nine games, Draisatl had a goal and two assists averaging over 13 minutes per game and Burakowsky has two goals and six assists averaging 14 minutes per game as the Capitals #2 center. Ekblad is averaging nearly 22 minutes of ice-time per game on the Cats defense. He's playing second-pairing minutes while being one of the anchors on the penalty kill unit. He has two assists.
And the teams that those three are playing on are in much better shape than the Sabres at this point. After a slow start a young Edmonton team with plenty of talent up-front has gained some traction having won four in a row before losing to Nashville on Wednesday. The Panthers also started slow but went 2-0-2 in their last four games. Washington sits right in the middle of the Metropolitan Division with a 4-3-2 record.
But, one could also say that although Reinhart was on a bad team in Buffalo playing just over 10 minutes a game, he didn't look that much out of place in an NHL rink. He's always played a subtle game and he continued with that during his stint with the Sabres. You could see progress as he was learning the game and he would have continued to learn more as the season went on. But it was not enough, especially when you look at the physical differences in Reinhart and NHL players.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Nikita Zadorov and three leagues, none of which are best for him
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Thanks to Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald, light was shed upon the Nikita Zadorov dilemma yesterday.
Going back to last Friday, Sabres head coach Ted Nolan was asked about the dilemma but he said that he couldn't "answer that question straight up." Zadorov has been a healthy scratch through the first six games of the season, but was not sent back to his junior team, the London Knights. Questions were being raised, and all that Nolan could say was that the team was "trying to do the best with the situation."
That situation has Zadorov as not quite ready for the NHL. He should be playing in the American Hockey League. But, as we know all too well, the agreement between the Canadian Hockey League and the NHL has no provisions for allowing 19 yr. old CHL/NHL tweeners an opportunity to develop at the AHL level. It's deja vu all over again for the Buffalo Sabres as they went through this same situation last season with Mikhail Grigorenko.
But there's a twist with "Big Z" this year.
Thanks to Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald, light was shed upon the Nikita Zadorov dilemma yesterday.
Going back to last Friday, Sabres head coach Ted Nolan was asked about the dilemma but he said that he couldn't "answer that question straight up." Zadorov has been a healthy scratch through the first six games of the season, but was not sent back to his junior team, the London Knights. Questions were being raised, and all that Nolan could say was that the team was "trying to do the best with the situation."
That situation has Zadorov as not quite ready for the NHL. He should be playing in the American Hockey League. But, as we know all too well, the agreement between the Canadian Hockey League and the NHL has no provisions for allowing 19 yr. old CHL/NHL tweeners an opportunity to develop at the AHL level. It's deja vu all over again for the Buffalo Sabres as they went through this same situation last season with Mikhail Grigorenko.
But there's a twist with "Big Z" this year.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
The Sabres host Florida tonight as the roster begins to take shape
Reprinted with permission from hockyebuzz.com
When the Buffalo Sabres opened the regular season on October 9th, they had five players injured--G, Matt Hackett; F, Patrick Kaleta; F, Johan Larsson; D, Mark Pysyk; D, Jake McCabe.
Hackett is still recovering from a knee injury after a nasty collision took him out last season while Kaleta is back on the ice in a non-contact uniform.
Kaleta was hit in the face by a puck that, according to the winger, “Broke a bunch of things in there." He went on to say that behind his full face shield are three plates and 14 screws which are now a part of him. And although he still has blood in his eye from the slapshot, “I went through all the tests with my eyeball," he said, "and I’m blessed and lucky my eyesight is good, knock on wood, so far. Everything else was pretty much crushed, I guess." Save for his spirit.
He's back on the ice skating with the team after being out only three weeks and he's itchin' to get back out there. “I’m probably going to let the plates and the screws settle a little bit. Other than that, once I get the green light, I’m ready to go whether my face is broken or not.”
When the Buffalo Sabres opened the regular season on October 9th, they had five players injured--G, Matt Hackett; F, Patrick Kaleta; F, Johan Larsson; D, Mark Pysyk; D, Jake McCabe.
Hackett is still recovering from a knee injury after a nasty collision took him out last season while Kaleta is back on the ice in a non-contact uniform.
Kaleta was hit in the face by a puck that, according to the winger, “Broke a bunch of things in there." He went on to say that behind his full face shield are three plates and 14 screws which are now a part of him. And although he still has blood in his eye from the slapshot, “I went through all the tests with my eyeball," he said, "and I’m blessed and lucky my eyesight is good, knock on wood, so far. Everything else was pretty much crushed, I guess." Save for his spirit.
He's back on the ice skating with the team after being out only three weeks and he's itchin' to get back out there. “I’m probably going to let the plates and the screws settle a little bit. Other than that, once I get the green light, I’m ready to go whether my face is broken or not.”
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