Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
That understated quote from Buffalo Sabres prospect Nikita Zadorov pretty much sums it up. It wasn't their tournament at all, in any aspect.
The Buffalo Sabres prospects went 0-3-1 at the Traverse City Tournament and finished in last place. They were outscored 17-6 overall and scored only one goal in three of the four games even though they collectively outshot their opponents by a 134-90 margin. A statistical anomaly had the Sabres scoring their only multi-goal game vs. the Dallas Stars in the only game they were outshot (29-24.)
Numbers are a funny thing as it began in the first game vs. the Carolina Hurricanes. The Sabres puck possession numbers were strong and they outshout the 'Canes 35-20 yet lost 6-1. Goaltender Andrey Makarov had a real rough outing allowing 6 goals on only 20 shots. Reports from the rink had him letting in a couple of softies, but he was also a victim of a very poor penalty kill.
Showing posts with label 2014 Traverse City Tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014 Traverse City Tournament. Show all posts
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Should Traverse City results matter that much to Sabres' fans?
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Not really. But it sure seems as if those results matter to Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray and Traverse City bench boss Chadd Cassidy. And they should.
Mike Morreale of nhl.com just wrote of Murray at the tournament, "[He] is the one standing on his bench in the last row, scribbling notes on a clipboard and every so often shaking his head and yelling to his players with the hope of gaining their attention."
A big chunk of those players are his guys, the ones he's either drafted, traded for or gave a tryout to.
His draft picks include 2014 2nd overall pick, Sam Reinhart and four others from that class--2nd rounders Brendan Lemieux (31st overall,) Eric Cornel (44th,) and Vaclav Karabacek (49th) up front and Brycen Martin (74th) on defense.
William Carrier (2013, 57th, STL) and Jordan Samuels-Thomas (2009, 203rd, ATL) were traded for in separate deals. The team invited six players to Traverse City--goalie Francios Brassard; defensemen Ryan MacKinnon and Jared Walsh; forwards Joseph Blandisi, Michael Joly, and Jack Rodewald.
Not really. But it sure seems as if those results matter to Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray and Traverse City bench boss Chadd Cassidy. And they should.
Mike Morreale of nhl.com just wrote of Murray at the tournament, "[He] is the one standing on his bench in the last row, scribbling notes on a clipboard and every so often shaking his head and yelling to his players with the hope of gaining their attention."
A big chunk of those players are his guys, the ones he's either drafted, traded for or gave a tryout to.
His draft picks include 2014 2nd overall pick, Sam Reinhart and four others from that class--2nd rounders Brendan Lemieux (31st overall,) Eric Cornel (44th,) and Vaclav Karabacek (49th) up front and Brycen Martin (74th) on defense.
William Carrier (2013, 57th, STL) and Jordan Samuels-Thomas (2009, 203rd, ATL) were traded for in separate deals. The team invited six players to Traverse City--goalie Francios Brassard; defensemen Ryan MacKinnon and Jared Walsh; forwards Joseph Blandisi, Michael Joly, and Jack Rodewald.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Goalies are a little too "comfortable" versus the Sabres
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
NY Rangers goalie prospect MacKenzie Skapski stopped 36 of 37 shots vs. the Buffalo Sabres prospects in yesterday's 2-1 overtime win. The 36 saves was a new Traverse City record for the Rangers, and when asked how he felt out there, Skapski replied, "I felt comfortable."
The Sabres youngins would, once again, throw plenty of rubber at the opposition net and would, once again, leave the ice having scored only one goal. “I thought one of our strengths coming into this tournament was going to be scoring goals. We have a lot of guys who are producers in that area,” coach Chadd Cassidy said. “It’s obviously been an issue for us. We had a lot of good chances again tonight.”
The "issue" overall seems to be getting into positions in and around the net to score.
NY Rangers goalie prospect MacKenzie Skapski stopped 36 of 37 shots vs. the Buffalo Sabres prospects in yesterday's 2-1 overtime win. The 36 saves was a new Traverse City record for the Rangers, and when asked how he felt out there, Skapski replied, "I felt comfortable."
The Sabres youngins would, once again, throw plenty of rubber at the opposition net and would, once again, leave the ice having scored only one goal. “I thought one of our strengths coming into this tournament was going to be scoring goals. We have a lot of guys who are producers in that area,” coach Chadd Cassidy said. “It’s obviously been an issue for us. We had a lot of good chances again tonight.”
The "issue" overall seems to be getting into positions in and around the net to score.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Notes on yesterday's loss to Carolina in Traverse City
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
A highly touted group of Sabres prospects hit the Traverse City ice yesterday and proceeded to lay an egg. Not that anyone should start manning the lifeboats, but a 6-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes prospects in game one of the tournament raised some questions.
The Sabres iced four first round picks and five second rounders yesterday afternoon while also having five players with NHL experience skate in the game. It all went for naught as the wheels fell off in the third period while Buffalo was trying to play catch-up. "We had to start pressing and we gave up some easy opportunities that in a tight game you don't normally give up," said bench boss, Chadd Cassidy.
Buffalo gave up three powerplay goals in the game on five opportunities. "Obviously, their powerplay hurt us a lot," said Cassidy, post game, "you give them a man advantage, they did it last year, I think it was the same group that torched us for three or four goals."
Special teams aside, five-on-five Cassidy thought they played well, "I'm, really happy with the way [the team] played from a structural standpoint," he said. "Possession time and scoring chances we dominated."
A highly touted group of Sabres prospects hit the Traverse City ice yesterday and proceeded to lay an egg. Not that anyone should start manning the lifeboats, but a 6-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes prospects in game one of the tournament raised some questions.
The Sabres iced four first round picks and five second rounders yesterday afternoon while also having five players with NHL experience skate in the game. It all went for naught as the wheels fell off in the third period while Buffalo was trying to play catch-up. "We had to start pressing and we gave up some easy opportunities that in a tight game you don't normally give up," said bench boss, Chadd Cassidy.
Buffalo gave up three powerplay goals in the game on five opportunities. "Obviously, their powerplay hurt us a lot," said Cassidy, post game, "you give them a man advantage, they did it last year, I think it was the same group that torched us for three or four goals."
Special teams aside, five-on-five Cassidy thought they played well, "I'm, really happy with the way [the team] played from a structural standpoint," he said. "Possession time and scoring chances we dominated."
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Building the 2014-15 Buffalo Sabres roster--LHD, Andre Benoit...plus...
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Before we continue to build a Buffalo Sabres roster for the 2014-15 season, a couple of quick notes.
Hockey is here, or at least in Traverse City, Michigan. A team of Sabres prospects (plus a handful of "vets") will kick things off with a 4:00pm bout versus the Carolina Hurricanes' prospects.
The likes of Rasmus Ristolainen, Joel Armia, Jake McCabe and 2014, 2nd-overall pick Sam Reinhart will be hitting the ice to face most of Carolina's top prospects. The Cane's are anchored by defenseman Hayden Fleury (2014, 7th) on the back end and left winger Brock McGinn (2012, 47th) who scored 45 goals in 58 games for the Guelph Storm of the OHL.
Of note, Michigan State graduate Jake Chelios will hit the ice for Carolina as an invitee. Chelios' father Chris, played 26 years in the NHL and was the first ever to be named a Montreal Canadiens captain when he shared those duties with Guy Carbonneau in 1989-90.
The younger Chelios is a 6'2" 185 lb. defenseman who also played 7 games for the Chicago Wolves (STL,) the team that took down the Rochester Americans last year in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
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Before we continue to build a Buffalo Sabres roster for the 2014-15 season, a couple of quick notes.
Hockey is here, or at least in Traverse City, Michigan. A team of Sabres prospects (plus a handful of "vets") will kick things off with a 4:00pm bout versus the Carolina Hurricanes' prospects.
The likes of Rasmus Ristolainen, Joel Armia, Jake McCabe and 2014, 2nd-overall pick Sam Reinhart will be hitting the ice to face most of Carolina's top prospects. The Cane's are anchored by defenseman Hayden Fleury (2014, 7th) on the back end and left winger Brock McGinn (2012, 47th) who scored 45 goals in 58 games for the Guelph Storm of the OHL.
Of note, Michigan State graduate Jake Chelios will hit the ice for Carolina as an invitee. Chelios' father Chris, played 26 years in the NHL and was the first ever to be named a Montreal Canadiens captain when he shared those duties with Guy Carbonneau in 1989-90.
The younger Chelios is a 6'2" 185 lb. defenseman who also played 7 games for the Chicago Wolves (STL,) the team that took down the Rochester Americans last year in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
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Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Traverse City, 2014 plus a quick note on Pegula and the Buffalo Bills
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
First off, while typing this piece, word on the street from numerous sources is that Terry and Kim Pegula have won the bid to buy the Buffalo Bills and will be owners pending league approval.
Back in July, it looked as if the Pegula's put the hammerlock on all other bidders with word of a possible $1.3B non-binding bid. In the eyes of the Wilson Trust, it would seem the Pegula's just had too much going for them--most notable their immense wealth and liquidity and their passion for keeping the team in Buffalo--to deny them.
Congrats to the Pegulas and the Bills, but most of all, congrats to the fans of Buffalo. Stability for the second Buffalo franchise has been a long time coming.
Makes me wanna SHOUT!! (kick my heels up)
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First off, while typing this piece, word on the street from numerous sources is that Terry and Kim Pegula have won the bid to buy the Buffalo Bills and will be owners pending league approval.
Back in July, it looked as if the Pegula's put the hammerlock on all other bidders with word of a possible $1.3B non-binding bid. In the eyes of the Wilson Trust, it would seem the Pegula's just had too much going for them--most notable their immense wealth and liquidity and their passion for keeping the team in Buffalo--to deny them.
Congrats to the Pegulas and the Bills, but most of all, congrats to the fans of Buffalo. Stability for the second Buffalo franchise has been a long time coming.
Makes me wanna SHOUT!! (kick my heels up)
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