Training Camp Updates

So far, it looks like this Sabres camp has been a mixed bag on a number of fronts.  On one hand it looks like Thomas Vanek is that game-breaking forward we've been lacking (and desperately needed) since Mogilny left.  He's already shown some chemistry with co-captain Daniel Briere.  On the other, it looks like none of our three goalies have decided that they are the man for the job.  I've been hearing mixed reports about how well all of them have played from the people I've spoken to who've been able to get to camp or the exhibition games.  Hopefully, either Chainshot or my latest addition to the Sabre Rattling team, KB, will be able to shed some more light on this in the coming days.

While they've won both of their pre-season games so far it is a little disheartening that they were not able to score on a true #1 goalie, Kolzig, on Saturday night.  I did listen to the 1st period of the Columbus game on Sunday night while participating in yet another Fantasy Hockey draft (the annual friends game where I help the newbies and which my wife always seems to win), and the biggest impression I got was how strongly Tim Connolly was playing.  If Timmah! is prepared to play NHL hockey and not Tim Connolly hockey then both he and the Sabres have a much brighter outlook.  The question marks surrounding Tim are covered by the Buffalo News here.

Some of the other pleasant surprises in this camp were how well youngster Patrick Kaleta played.  He along with 5 others were returned to their junior clubs yesterday.    Patrick distinguished himself by throwing the body around with both heart and a little reckless abandon.  Look for him to become a Buffalo fan favorite over the next couple of years.  He's 19 and about to return for a 4th year at Peterborough of the OHL. 

Tonight's game against Minnesota will see Mika Noronen get his first start of the pre-season.  According to the Buffalo News Lindy Ruff has been happy with what he's seen so far from the goalies:

"I thought both of them were very good," Ruff said of the opening goaltender performances. "I thought Marty had a very sound game, made a lot of big saves. Ryan had one screen shot beat him that he didn't see at all, and then a huge scrum in front of the net, where the puck ended up getting pushed over. He was very good."

The important point of that article is the emphasis Ruff is placing on being better prepared than other teams for the rules changes and taking egregious advantage of them.  Unfortunately, if he doesn't get more creative with how he coaches the Power Play that's not going to happen.

There's enough skill on this team to have an effective Power Play but, again, from what I've been hearing the same old problems still exist with it as before.  Not enough movement, too easy to defend, never working to create an opening for the big shot from the point.

I guess Lindy's thinking quantity over quality at this point.  The problem is, though, as in the past, if the team doesn't respect your Power Play then they don't respect you 5 on 5 and give you time and space to work. 

Ta,

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[buzz girl]

The Sabres got off to a good start before they even hit the ice by picking future Hall of Fame centre Gilbert Perreault first overall in the NHL's Entry Draft. This season they have competed in all games with stellar goaltending, a slump has clouded the team. For the sixth time the Buffalo Sabres lost in six games Saturday night, dropping a 3-2 decision to Montreal in front of 21,273 fans, which marked the Canadiens' eighth consecutive sellout of the Bell Centre.

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