Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The 2015 Sabres Development Camp has come to a close and probably the most impressive aspect of the weeklong event was the amount of interest shown by hockey fans in Western New York. Thousands of Sabres fans came downtown on a daily basis to watch 46 prospects go through workout drills and on Friday a record 17,115 were in attendance to watch the annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage. "I've said all along it's an unbelievable hockey market, I called it the eighth Canadian hockey market," said Sabres GM Tim Murray at the press conference, "and I think we've surpassed a lot of Canadian markets when it comes to this type of thing."
Just the fact that there was a press conference after an off-season workout for the youngins--the intra-squad 3-on-3 tournament--was enough to bring a light-hearted chuckle of disbelief. "A press conference for a development camp in July," grinned Murray as he began the media session.
Welcome to Buffalo.
Even though Murray has been on the job for well over a year, this being his second development camp, the over-the-top interest in the camp still left him shaking his head. But it really shouldn't be a surprise. That passion for the sport has been engrained in the collective Buffalo hockey mindset from the beginning. As you walk in the First Niagara Center and look up there's history laid out in photos beginning with Semour Knox III who's passion for the game set the tone. Next to him is a photo of Punch Imlach, an iconic figure in the hockey world. And then there's the Sabres first draft pick ever, Hall of Famer Gil Perreault, So it began with those three.
Showing posts with label 2015 Development Camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015 Development Camp. Show all posts
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Monday, July 13, 2015
17,115 say good-bye to two years of suffering
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
That number was not a misprint.
Seventeen thousand, one hundred and fifteen fans finished off a gorgeous summer day in early July by filling the First Niagara for the Buffalo Sabres annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage. And I thought last years attendance of 8,725 for the scrimmage was an incredible turnout.
17,115.
"It’s crazy to think there was 17,000 people here for a scrimmage in July," said top Sabres prospect, 2015 second-overall pick Jack Eichel, "but it says a lot about Buffalo and how passionate they are about the Sabres.”
Eichel wouldn't say it, but the main reason the fans opted to spend a few hours watching prospects scrimmage instead sipping a beverage outside in the warm summer evening was him. The 18 yr. old center represents a number of things to Buffalo hockey fans, but maybe most importantly, he's considered the face of the future and he's is helping Sabres fans lay to rest the last two years.
That number was not a misprint.
Seventeen thousand, one hundred and fifteen fans finished off a gorgeous summer day in early July by filling the First Niagara for the Buffalo Sabres annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage. And I thought last years attendance of 8,725 for the scrimmage was an incredible turnout.
17,115.
"It’s crazy to think there was 17,000 people here for a scrimmage in July," said top Sabres prospect, 2015 second-overall pick Jack Eichel, "but it says a lot about Buffalo and how passionate they are about the Sabres.”
Eichel wouldn't say it, but the main reason the fans opted to spend a few hours watching prospects scrimmage instead sipping a beverage outside in the warm summer evening was him. The 18 yr. old center represents a number of things to Buffalo hockey fans, but maybe most importantly, he's considered the face of the future and he's is helping Sabres fans lay to rest the last two years.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Still trying to figure out where Sam Reinhart fits into the equation
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart was drafted 2nd overall in the 2014 draft. There were three players at the top who were all considered possible No. 1 overall picks--Reinhart, C, Sam Bennett and D, Aaron Ekblad, who was the eventual 1st overall pick by the Florida Panthers. One player, forward Leon Draisaitl, snuck into the top-three when he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers leaving Bennett to be plucked by the Calgary Flames in the No.4 slot.
Ekblad had himself a pretty good rookie season on an up and coming Panthers team. He was on the top-pairing with former Sabres d-man Brian Campbell and was on the top powerplay unit. Ekblad finished the season with 12 goals, 27 assists and was a plus-12 while on his way to the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. After the season he headed to the Czech Republic and helped Team Canada to a gold medal at the World Championships.
The Calgary Flames had a bit more of a veteran presence than Florida and also have been the beneficiaries of some pretty good drafting the last couple of years under the leadership of team president, Brian Burke. Unfortunately for Bennett he was rehabbing from a shoulder injury for a good chunk of the 2014-15 season. He ended up playing 11 regular season for his junior club, Kingston, scoring 11 goals and adding 24 assists. After the Frontenacs were swept in the OHL playoffs he joined the Flames for the final regular season game. Calgary made the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and would make it to the second round. Bennett had four points (3+1) in 11 playoff games.
Both Draisaitl and Reinhart would start the season with their NHL clubs but end up back in junior for the balance of the season. Draisaitl played 37 games for Edmonton before the sent him back to Prince Albert. He had a very pedestrian 37-game tryout totaling only nine points (2+7) before the Oilers decided to keep his UFA year intact (had he played in 40 games, he'd have been one year closer to free agency.) After a trade to Kelowna he dominated with 53 regular season points in 34 games while adding 10 goals and 18 assists in only 19 playoff games.
Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart was drafted 2nd overall in the 2014 draft. There were three players at the top who were all considered possible No. 1 overall picks--Reinhart, C, Sam Bennett and D, Aaron Ekblad, who was the eventual 1st overall pick by the Florida Panthers. One player, forward Leon Draisaitl, snuck into the top-three when he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers leaving Bennett to be plucked by the Calgary Flames in the No.4 slot.
Ekblad had himself a pretty good rookie season on an up and coming Panthers team. He was on the top-pairing with former Sabres d-man Brian Campbell and was on the top powerplay unit. Ekblad finished the season with 12 goals, 27 assists and was a plus-12 while on his way to the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. After the season he headed to the Czech Republic and helped Team Canada to a gold medal at the World Championships.
The Calgary Flames had a bit more of a veteran presence than Florida and also have been the beneficiaries of some pretty good drafting the last couple of years under the leadership of team president, Brian Burke. Unfortunately for Bennett he was rehabbing from a shoulder injury for a good chunk of the 2014-15 season. He ended up playing 11 regular season for his junior club, Kingston, scoring 11 goals and adding 24 assists. After the Frontenacs were swept in the OHL playoffs he joined the Flames for the final regular season game. Calgary made the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and would make it to the second round. Bennett had four points (3+1) in 11 playoff games.
Both Draisaitl and Reinhart would start the season with their NHL clubs but end up back in junior for the balance of the season. Draisaitl played 37 games for Edmonton before the sent him back to Prince Albert. He had a very pedestrian 37-game tryout totaling only nine points (2+7) before the Oilers decided to keep his UFA year intact (had he played in 40 games, he'd have been one year closer to free agency.) After a trade to Kelowna he dominated with 53 regular season points in 34 games while adding 10 goals and 18 assists in only 19 playoff games.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Gustav Possler in Sweden focused upon summer training for upcoming MODO season
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
When the 2015 Sabres Development Camp roster came out Monday afternoon, there was an omission that raised some eyebrows if ever so slightly in some quarters--F, Gustav Possler. The 2013 5th round pick (130th overall) is still in his native Sweden while 46 other youngins are at the First Niagara Center getting themselves acclimated to their surroundings.
The 20 yr. old Possler sits a tad down the depth-chart on a very thin left-side and of the top-three at that spot (Daniel Catennaci, William Carrier) he probably has the most pure talent.
As to why he's not at camp, there's been no definitive answer. According to Sweden's Allehanda.se, Possler initially refused to comment on the situation. In a loose translation he told Allehanda's Adam Johansson that he wouldn't be commenting on the situation other than to say that he feels good, he's not hurt and that he'll be training this summer for his upcoming season for MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik .
SportsExpressen.se's Av Alexander Nilsson did a follow up with Possler situation and came up with the same results save for some ambiguity as to who's decision it was--Possler's, his agent or the Sabres. Clarity will come eventually as Possler said he may have been misunderstood in the Allehanda article. "I really don't know what happened," he said, "but there's really nothing to it." Nilsson would later tweet, "Possler declines NHL camp to focus on Modo: 'The best thing for me.'"
As with all things prospect-related, Kris Baker was kind enough to lend a bit of clarification to the situation (at least until an official announcement is made, if need be.) Baker pointed out that Possler has one more year on his MODO contract and even though Buffalo GM Tim Murray may have "tinkered with the idea of evaluating him at development camp, it's always been assumed that the plan was for him to play out his contract for MODO," Bakes told me.
When the 2015 Sabres Development Camp roster came out Monday afternoon, there was an omission that raised some eyebrows if ever so slightly in some quarters--F, Gustav Possler. The 2013 5th round pick (130th overall) is still in his native Sweden while 46 other youngins are at the First Niagara Center getting themselves acclimated to their surroundings.
The 20 yr. old Possler sits a tad down the depth-chart on a very thin left-side and of the top-three at that spot (Daniel Catennaci, William Carrier) he probably has the most pure talent.
As to why he's not at camp, there's been no definitive answer. According to Sweden's Allehanda.se, Possler initially refused to comment on the situation. In a loose translation he told Allehanda's Adam Johansson that he wouldn't be commenting on the situation other than to say that he feels good, he's not hurt and that he'll be training this summer for his upcoming season for MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik .
SportsExpressen.se's Av Alexander Nilsson did a follow up with Possler situation and came up with the same results save for some ambiguity as to who's decision it was--Possler's, his agent or the Sabres. Clarity will come eventually as Possler said he may have been misunderstood in the Allehanda article. "I really don't know what happened," he said, "but there's really nothing to it." Nilsson would later tweet, "Possler declines NHL camp to focus on Modo: 'The best thing for me.'"
As with all things prospect-related, Kris Baker was kind enough to lend a bit of clarification to the situation (at least until an official announcement is made, if need be.) Baker pointed out that Possler has one more year on his MODO contract and even though Buffalo GM Tim Murray may have "tinkered with the idea of evaluating him at development camp, it's always been assumed that the plan was for him to play out his contract for MODO," Bakes told me.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
The youngins hit the ice today for 2015 Sabres Development Camp
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
In his prelude to the Buffalo Sabres top five prospects, Steven Ives of todaysslapshot.com provides a quick overview of the Sabres exploits on day one of the 2015 NHL Draft which includes taking some shots at the trades for Robin Lehner ("a head-scratcher") and Ryan O'Reilly ("a fairer deal would have been O'Reilly for Nikita Zadorov, straight-up.")
While understanding GM Tim Murray's motivation for making these trades, then claiming that Buffalo's draft weekend "should be considered a raging success," there's an undercurrent to Ives' piece found in his conclusion: "The Sabres prospect pool is still extremely deep, even with several players graduating and Compher being jettisoned to Colorado.
"The Sabres may have made a couple of controversial transactions at the draft, but the weekend was still a raging success if just for [Jack] Eichel donning the Buffalo jersey for the very first time. This is a future juggernaut, a team which can challenge for the Stanley Cup in the foreseeable future. Our only wish is that they would be a little more patient with getting to that point."
Generally speaking, it's a solid assessment of the Sabres at the draft, save for the patience part. Murray had spent the majority of his first year as GM being very patient while finishing the teardown and directing the bottoming-out period that lead up to the lottery and the selection of 2015 second-overall pick in Eichel. Yet, when the opportunity came for him to land three future pieces that were right in his wheelhouse, patience may have left him on the outside looking in.
In his prelude to the Buffalo Sabres top five prospects, Steven Ives of todaysslapshot.com provides a quick overview of the Sabres exploits on day one of the 2015 NHL Draft which includes taking some shots at the trades for Robin Lehner ("a head-scratcher") and Ryan O'Reilly ("a fairer deal would have been O'Reilly for Nikita Zadorov, straight-up.")
While understanding GM Tim Murray's motivation for making these trades, then claiming that Buffalo's draft weekend "should be considered a raging success," there's an undercurrent to Ives' piece found in his conclusion: "The Sabres prospect pool is still extremely deep, even with several players graduating and Compher being jettisoned to Colorado.
"The Sabres may have made a couple of controversial transactions at the draft, but the weekend was still a raging success if just for [Jack] Eichel donning the Buffalo jersey for the very first time. This is a future juggernaut, a team which can challenge for the Stanley Cup in the foreseeable future. Our only wish is that they would be a little more patient with getting to that point."
Generally speaking, it's a solid assessment of the Sabres at the draft, save for the patience part. Murray had spent the majority of his first year as GM being very patient while finishing the teardown and directing the bottoming-out period that lead up to the lottery and the selection of 2015 second-overall pick in Eichel. Yet, when the opportunity came for him to land three future pieces that were right in his wheelhouse, patience may have left him on the outside looking in.
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