Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The trimming of the roster will continue over the course of the next week as the Buffalo Sabres ready themselves for their season opener on October 8th. The Ottawa Senators visit the First Niagara Center next Thursday in one of the most anticipated season openers for Buffalo in a long time.
With the roster makeover in full swing as GM Tim Murray and head coach Dan Bylsma now lead the journey up from the bottom of the league. With only three games remaining in the preseason, many are fighting for NHL roster spots and it's especially tight up-front as only two or three bottom-six spots might be available.
Defense is a bit different as injuries have crept into the equation meaning that a player like 18 yr. old Brendan Guhle (2015, 51st overall,) who would normally be headed back to junior sometime within the next week, may get an extended look in the regular season. Two d-men trying to make enough of an impression to stick with the Sabres--Jake McCabe and Chad Ruhwedel--are suffering from injuries that will probably sideline them for the rest of the preseason. That would make two years in a row that McCabe went down in the preseason. Last year upon his return he was sent to Rochester and it's likely that both he and Ruhwedel will be headed there once healthy.
Goaltending is pretty much a lock. Barring injury, Robin Lehner should start vs. his old team on October 8th with Chad Johnson as back-up.
The Amerks opened up their camp yesterday and saw an influx of players. Loaned to Rochester were forwards Justin Bailey (2013, 52nd) and Nicolas Baptiste (2013, 69th.) As expected both were sent to Rochester to begin their professional careers in probable top-six roles. They were joined by Jean Dupuy (2014, FA,) William Carrier (2015, 57th, STL,) Daniel Catenacci (2011, 77th,) Justin Kea (2012, 73rd) and Jack Nevins (2013, FA, MTL) to fill out the forward ranks. Jerry D'Amigo (2009, 158th, CLB) and Phil Varone (2009, 147th, SJS) both passed through waivers and will be joining the club up-front as well. Forward Matt Garbowsky (2015, FA) and defenseman Matt Prapavessis (2015, FA) were released from their respective PTO's with Buffalo and joined Rochester on their AHL contracts.
Goaltender Andrey Makarov was also loaned to Rochester and looks to be the starter in net for the Amerks this season.
Rochester opened training camp yesterday with 23 players including recently signed defensemen Colby Robak (2008, 46th, FLA) and Spiro Goulakos.
Robak was with the Amerks when they were affiliated with the Florida Panthers while the Sabres were in Portland, ME and has bounced around over the last three seasons with stops that included stints in the NHL (FLA, ANA) and the AHL (San Antoino and Norfolk.) The 6'3", 207 lb. Robak told Amerks broadcaster Don Stevens of his return to Rochester, "It's good to be back. [Walking through those doors] took me back a few years. The start of my pro career was here and I had a good time. It's a great city, the fans are great and the organization's great."
Goulakos was an invitee to Sabres camp, was released from his PTO last Thursday and was signed by Rochester on Sunday. The Montreal native came from Colgate University where he was captain the his last two years in college.
Filling out the roster for yesterday's skate were forwards, Cason Hohmann, Chris Langkow, Mike Seidel, Garrett Klotz, Allan McPherson (re-signed 2015,) Scott Jacklin and William Kessel. Also skating were defenseman Josh Chapman and Zach Tokinen as well as goaltender, CJ Motte. See Amerks.com's Warren Kosel's day one notes here.
It will be the last hurrah for some to the players slated to play in tonight's matchup vs. the Maple Leafs. Forwards Evan Rodrigues (2015, FA) and Cal O'Reilly will be on a line tonight while Jason Akeson (2015, FA) and Tim Schaller (2013, FA) are expected to go on Thursday. Of the four, Schaller looks to be the only one with a legitimate shot at making the Sabres roster opening night, but even that's slim as Buffalo's loaded with players up front.
The Amerks are waiting for the defense to sort itself out in Buffalo, but injuries have clouded things. As mentioned, both McCabe and Ruhwedel are shelved and both are expected to be in Buffalo while veteran Bobby Sanguinetti (2006, 21st, NYR) has an upper body injury.
There's good news for the Sabres defense-corps, however, as Rasmus Ristolainen is slated to make his preseason debut. Bylsma's looking to limit his top-pairing d-man to around 18-20 minutes. He said Ristolainen's injury didn't prevent him from skating and that he's now ready for some live action hitting.
In goal for the Sabres tonight is Robin Lehner who should be in the entire game.
The game is at 7:00pm and will be televised inside of 716 at HARBORCENTER.
From WGR's Paul Hamilton, tonight's expected forward lines:
Evander Kane, Ryan O'Reilly, Tyler Ennis
Matt Moulson, Jack Eichel, Brian Gionta
Evan Rodrigues, Cal O'Reilly, Sam Reinhart
Marcus Foligno, David Legwand, Nic Deslauriers
Ristolainen is expected to be joined on defense by Carlo Colaiacovo, Brendan Guhle, Cody Franson, Matt Donovan and Mike Weber.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Building the 2015-16 Buffalo Sabres roster--D, Mike Weber
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The top-five defensemen headed into the 2015-16 are pretty much a lock. Defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen, Zach Bogosian, Josh Gorges, Cody Franson and Mark Pysyk have all made their mark for the team in one way or another and all that's left to figure out is, who the No. 6 d-man will be.
In the mix is 32 yr. old, defensive defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo whom GM Tim Murray signed for depth. Edmond, OK native and puck-mover Matt Donovan was up with the NY Islanders last season but only played in 12 games and was signed by the Sabres after the Islanders opted not to qualify him. Buffalo rookie Jake McCabe is the fans choice but he still needs to iron out some inconsistencies in his two-way game and Rochester is as good a place as any to do that. Puck-mover Chad Ruhwedel who's shown a nice scoring touch in Rochester has yet to turn heads in Buffalo.
Eighteen year old Brendan Guhle, a 2015 second round pick (51st overall) has piqued the interest of many with his advanced skating, athleticism and acute hockey sense but, why rush the kid? Another year at Prince Albert (WHL) with the Raiders playing top minutes is a logical step. Of note: Murray has already signed him to his entry-level deal.
And then there's 27 yr. old Mike Weber. The Pittsburgh, PA native, who will be entering his eighth season with the club, is the longest-tenured Sabre.
The top-five defensemen headed into the 2015-16 are pretty much a lock. Defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen, Zach Bogosian, Josh Gorges, Cody Franson and Mark Pysyk have all made their mark for the team in one way or another and all that's left to figure out is, who the No. 6 d-man will be.
In the mix is 32 yr. old, defensive defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo whom GM Tim Murray signed for depth. Edmond, OK native and puck-mover Matt Donovan was up with the NY Islanders last season but only played in 12 games and was signed by the Sabres after the Islanders opted not to qualify him. Buffalo rookie Jake McCabe is the fans choice but he still needs to iron out some inconsistencies in his two-way game and Rochester is as good a place as any to do that. Puck-mover Chad Ruhwedel who's shown a nice scoring touch in Rochester has yet to turn heads in Buffalo.
Eighteen year old Brendan Guhle, a 2015 second round pick (51st overall) has piqued the interest of many with his advanced skating, athleticism and acute hockey sense but, why rush the kid? Another year at Prince Albert (WHL) with the Raiders playing top minutes is a logical step. Of note: Murray has already signed him to his entry-level deal.
And then there's 27 yr. old Mike Weber. The Pittsburgh, PA native, who will be entering his eighth season with the club, is the longest-tenured Sabre.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Buffalo rolls through Ontario with weekend wins
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Although it's only preseason, Buffalo Sabres fans are sure to like what's transpired thus far. After back-to-back, split-squad wins at Toronto and Ottawa, the Sabres stand at 3-1 with three more games slated before the season begins on October 8th.
In looking at the roster prior to Tuesday's preseason opener at the Minnesota Wild, the results thus far were somewhat anticipated. Sabres GM Tim Murray shored up the top-six with the acquisitions of Evander Kane and Ryan O'Reilly while also adding second-overall pick Jack Eichel at the 2015 NHL Draft. With those additions, as well as an up-tempo style favored by new head coach "Dancin'" Dan Bylsma, the Sabres had the look of a team that was ready to eradicate the offensive ineptitude from the collective consciousness of Sabreland. And they've done that thus far.
Perceived weaknesses on the back-end and in goal were areas of concern as they construct of the defense is still a work in progress. With top-four d-men Rasmus Ristolainen and Zach Bogosian out with injuries, most of the defense was playing a notch or two higher than their capabilities and it showed in the goals against.
Not to be discounted in the 15 goals against in four games thus far is goaltending, which was cause for concern heading into camp. Robin Lehner came in as the starter with Chad Johnson as the back-up. Lehner has done nothing to solidify his spot and looks like a goalie who hadn't seen live action since suffering a concussion back in February. Johnson was also felled by injury in late February and hasn't seen action since. Both, obviously, are a bit rusty to say the least.
Although it's only preseason, Buffalo Sabres fans are sure to like what's transpired thus far. After back-to-back, split-squad wins at Toronto and Ottawa, the Sabres stand at 3-1 with three more games slated before the season begins on October 8th.
In looking at the roster prior to Tuesday's preseason opener at the Minnesota Wild, the results thus far were somewhat anticipated. Sabres GM Tim Murray shored up the top-six with the acquisitions of Evander Kane and Ryan O'Reilly while also adding second-overall pick Jack Eichel at the 2015 NHL Draft. With those additions, as well as an up-tempo style favored by new head coach "Dancin'" Dan Bylsma, the Sabres had the look of a team that was ready to eradicate the offensive ineptitude from the collective consciousness of Sabreland. And they've done that thus far.
Perceived weaknesses on the back-end and in goal were areas of concern as they construct of the defense is still a work in progress. With top-four d-men Rasmus Ristolainen and Zach Bogosian out with injuries, most of the defense was playing a notch or two higher than their capabilities and it showed in the goals against.
Not to be discounted in the 15 goals against in four games thus far is goaltending, which was cause for concern heading into camp. Robin Lehner came in as the starter with Chad Johnson as the back-up. Lehner has done nothing to solidify his spot and looks like a goalie who hadn't seen live action since suffering a concussion back in February. Johnson was also felled by injury in late February and hasn't seen action since. Both, obviously, are a bit rusty to say the least.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Building the 2015-16 Buffalo Sabres roster--D, Mark Pysyk
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Of all the players mired in the muck that was the Buffalo Sabres last two seasons, defenseman Mark Pysyk was the one who got crapped on the most. But with that over and fading into memory, it's time for him to take his place in the Sabres top-six defense corps.
When it comes to Pysyk and how he'd been approaching his time in Rochester despite having more to offer than half the d-men that have paraded through Buffalo the last two years, I keep hearing the words of long-time Amerks broadcaster, Don Stevens. Said Stevens of Pysyk, "He's just glad to be playing the game of hockey, which is the kind of player you want. He wants to be playing. I think he's smart enough to know that he has a long career ahead of him and that he can settle in for the long haul."
The "long-haul" begins this season. Finally.
It's safe to say that almost every Sabres fan thought Pysyk would be in the lineup last season, but he was a caught up in a crude game that included numbers, waivers, a preseason injury and an organizational focus on the long-term. In addition there was drama surrounding 19 yr. old defenseman Nikita Zadorov that included a tug of war between the Zadorov camp, the Canadian Hockey League and the KHL which would also affect Pysyk's status with the club.
Of all the players mired in the muck that was the Buffalo Sabres last two seasons, defenseman Mark Pysyk was the one who got crapped on the most. But with that over and fading into memory, it's time for him to take his place in the Sabres top-six defense corps.
When it comes to Pysyk and how he'd been approaching his time in Rochester despite having more to offer than half the d-men that have paraded through Buffalo the last two years, I keep hearing the words of long-time Amerks broadcaster, Don Stevens. Said Stevens of Pysyk, "He's just glad to be playing the game of hockey, which is the kind of player you want. He wants to be playing. I think he's smart enough to know that he has a long career ahead of him and that he can settle in for the long haul."
The "long-haul" begins this season. Finally.
It's safe to say that almost every Sabres fan thought Pysyk would be in the lineup last season, but he was a caught up in a crude game that included numbers, waivers, a preseason injury and an organizational focus on the long-term. In addition there was drama surrounding 19 yr. old defenseman Nikita Zadorov that included a tug of war between the Zadorov camp, the Canadian Hockey League and the KHL which would also affect Pysyk's status with the club.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Building the 2015-16 Buffalo Sabres roster--RW, Brian Gionta
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Buffalo Sabres RW, Brian Gionta is a veteran of 13 NHL seasons. The former 3rd round pick (82nd overall,) who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 1998, won a Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2003, just his second season in the NHL. He also captained the most storied franchise in the league--the Montreal Canadiens--to a birth in the eastern conference finals the season before he came to Buffalo as a free agent in 2014. Gionta has the distinction of being the only full-fledged American-born team captain in the Canadiens 106-year history.
Gionta headlined a trio that included Matt Moulson and Josh Gorges coming to Buffalo that off season making the Sabres of the 2014 off season. With Buffalo intent upon fully bottoming out most had thought that the Sabres would have very little opportunity to land players of significance. But GM Tim Murray pulled a bit of a coup landing what turned out to be his three captains for the 2014-15 season. Although many had visions of the team improving greatly with those additions, the team once again sank to the bottom of the league. And for a player like Gionta who had known plenty of success throughout his NHL career, it was tough.
"Last year was one of the most frustrating years if not the most frustrating year of my professional career," said Gionta at training camp last week. "It was hard to get through." But being the true professional that he is, he spent the season controlling what he could control, his play. "At the same time you find things to grow off of and you find ways to improve yourself. You take that experience from last year and try to make it what it is."
"When teams are winning, things are easy," Gionta said to long-time Rochester Americans broadcaster Don Stevens while speaking at a youth camp this summer. "But when you're losing, you have to try and find answers and solutions and stay positive. You lose all the time, you don't want that feeling to set in and become the new normal. So that was the hardest thing, showing up at the rink and being positive each day and finding something to draw on to help the situation.''
Buffalo Sabres RW, Brian Gionta is a veteran of 13 NHL seasons. The former 3rd round pick (82nd overall,) who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 1998, won a Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2003, just his second season in the NHL. He also captained the most storied franchise in the league--the Montreal Canadiens--to a birth in the eastern conference finals the season before he came to Buffalo as a free agent in 2014. Gionta has the distinction of being the only full-fledged American-born team captain in the Canadiens 106-year history.
Gionta headlined a trio that included Matt Moulson and Josh Gorges coming to Buffalo that off season making the Sabres of the 2014 off season. With Buffalo intent upon fully bottoming out most had thought that the Sabres would have very little opportunity to land players of significance. But GM Tim Murray pulled a bit of a coup landing what turned out to be his three captains for the 2014-15 season. Although many had visions of the team improving greatly with those additions, the team once again sank to the bottom of the league. And for a player like Gionta who had known plenty of success throughout his NHL career, it was tough.
"Last year was one of the most frustrating years if not the most frustrating year of my professional career," said Gionta at training camp last week. "It was hard to get through." But being the true professional that he is, he spent the season controlling what he could control, his play. "At the same time you find things to grow off of and you find ways to improve yourself. You take that experience from last year and try to make it what it is."
"When teams are winning, things are easy," Gionta said to long-time Rochester Americans broadcaster Don Stevens while speaking at a youth camp this summer. "But when you're losing, you have to try and find answers and solutions and stay positive. You lose all the time, you don't want that feeling to set in and become the new normal. So that was the hardest thing, showing up at the rink and being positive each day and finding something to draw on to help the situation.''
Friday, September 25, 2015
Ottawa downs Sabres. Game notes plus other quick shots.
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Buffalo Sabres are 1-1 in the preseason thus far after last night's 5-2 loss at the hands of the Ottawa Senators. Although Buffalo dominated in the shot department with 42 shots on goal compared to Ottawa's 26, they had trouble finding the back of the net. Senators goalie Matt O'Connor, a former teammate of Jack Eichel with the Boston University Terriers last season, was particularly stout in net for Ottawa as he stopped all 18 shots he faced including five on an early power play for the Sabres. The 6'6" netminder outdueled his counterpart across the ice as Buffalo goalie, and former Senator, Robin Lehner stopped only 16 of the 19 shots he faced (.843 save %.)
The Sabres were done-in by three Ottawa goals in 3:26 span during the second period. The line of Jason Akeson, David Legwand and Evan Rodrigues, along with 18 yr. old defenseman Brendan Guhle, were victimized for two of the three goals.
The Buffalo Sabres are 1-1 in the preseason thus far after last night's 5-2 loss at the hands of the Ottawa Senators. Although Buffalo dominated in the shot department with 42 shots on goal compared to Ottawa's 26, they had trouble finding the back of the net. Senators goalie Matt O'Connor, a former teammate of Jack Eichel with the Boston University Terriers last season, was particularly stout in net for Ottawa as he stopped all 18 shots he faced including five on an early power play for the Sabres. The 6'6" netminder outdueled his counterpart across the ice as Buffalo goalie, and former Senator, Robin Lehner stopped only 16 of the 19 shots he faced (.843 save %.)
The Sabres were done-in by three Ottawa goals in 3:26 span during the second period. The line of Jason Akeson, David Legwand and Evan Rodrigues, along with 18 yr. old defenseman Brendan Guhle, were victimized for two of the three goals.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Tonights lineup vs. the Ottawa Senators for preseason game No. 2
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Buffalo Sabres will be at home tonight for their second preseason game. Only one member of the squad that downed the Minnesota Wild on Monday will be in the lineup--D, Brendan Guhle. Here was the line up for that game:
Matt Moulson, Jack Eichel, Zemgus Girgensons
Marcus Foligno, Johan Larsson, Nic Deslauriers
William Carrier, Phil Varone, Justin Bailey
Jean Dupuy, Matt Ellis, Vaclav Karabacek
Mike Weber, Cody Franson
Brendan Guhle, Mark Pysyk
Jake McCabe, Brady Austin
Chad Johnson
Nathan Lieuwen
Tonight's lineup (via WGR's Paul Hamilton):
Evander Kane, Ryan O'Reilly, Tyler Ennis
Jamie McGinn, Sam Reinhart, Brian Gionta
Jerry D'Amigo, Eric Cornel, Nicholas Baptiste
Evan Rodrigues, David Legwand, Jason Akeson
Guhle, Josh Gorges,
Carlo Colaiacovo, Chad Ruhwedel
Jerome Leduc, Matt Donovan
Former Ottawa Senator Robin Lehner puts on the Blue and Gold for the first time to face his former team while Andrey Makarov backs him up in net.
The Buffalo Sabres will be at home tonight for their second preseason game. Only one member of the squad that downed the Minnesota Wild on Monday will be in the lineup--D, Brendan Guhle. Here was the line up for that game:
Matt Moulson, Jack Eichel, Zemgus Girgensons
Marcus Foligno, Johan Larsson, Nic Deslauriers
William Carrier, Phil Varone, Justin Bailey
Jean Dupuy, Matt Ellis, Vaclav Karabacek
Mike Weber, Cody Franson
Brendan Guhle, Mark Pysyk
Jake McCabe, Brady Austin
Chad Johnson
Nathan Lieuwen
Tonight's lineup (via WGR's Paul Hamilton):
Evander Kane, Ryan O'Reilly, Tyler Ennis
Jamie McGinn, Sam Reinhart, Brian Gionta
Jerry D'Amigo, Eric Cornel, Nicholas Baptiste
Evan Rodrigues, David Legwand, Jason Akeson
Guhle, Josh Gorges,
Carlo Colaiacovo, Chad Ruhwedel
Jerome Leduc, Matt Donovan
Former Ottawa Senator Robin Lehner puts on the Blue and Gold for the first time to face his former team while Andrey Makarov backs him up in net.
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