LabattBlue

Just find the best person in the country at doing the job(regardless of sport) and throw a bunch of Pegula bucks at them. The only stipulation prior to hiring him/her would be to explain how they will get Chet & Muffy into the game. LOL

On defense maybe, but hopefully that pipeline is somewhat restocked via this years draft, and also Martin & Florentino from past drafts. In the forward ranks, you have Bailey, Baptiste, Carrier and a lesser extent, Schaller, Dupuy, Rodrigues, Varone & Catenacci this year. Next year should bring Fasching, Karabacek, Cornel & co. I also think the goalie prospects are decent(Makarov, Ullmark & to a lesser extent Liewen), and more are on the way(Johansson & Peterson). Two things happened... 1. Murray shipped out a LOT of picks and prospects for ROR, Kane, Bogo, Fasching & Deslauriers. 2. Many guys who might have been in Rochester, ended up in/or will end up in Buffalo early in their careers(Risto, Girgs, Eichel, Reinhart). Others are graduating to the Sabres full-time this season(Pysyk & Larsson).

While Pegula is willing to spend and spend and spend, sometimes I get the impression that there aren't the sharpest tools in the shed making decisions at FNC that he normally would leave up to them. That being said, it is a rookie intra-squad scrimmage, not a game. I'd be more upset if I can't see his first preseason games.

Is/Has ROR been in Buffalo since contract was announced? Very surprised the Sabres haven't trotted him out in front of the media?

Went to session today. Could only stay to see the "non-Eichel" group.... - I'm guessing somewhere between 750-1000 people in attendance. - Second day in a row, no Hurley. - Also, no Carrier. - For the second year in a row, I have been impressed by Willman. I know he did very little in his freshman year at Brown, but he is very smooth on his skates and has serious skills. Very interested to see if his play improves a lot this college season. - I saw references elsewhere that Reinhart "looks bigger". Not sure how anyone can tell this by looking at a player wearing equipment. LOL - Reinhart's skating appears to be better, but it is only drills, and I am guessing. Very hard to tell I would think unless you have a trained eye. - I like Fasching's skating. During a drill where skating direction was changing(as in change of puck posession/transition), he seemed very smooth on his skates for a big man. - One more Reinhart note. Noticed that he was one of two players moving the nets at the beginning of the ice being resurfaced. Nice to see that he is not a primadonna. - Can't say anyone else stood out.

I think an expansion team in the NW(Portland or Seattle) would do great. Then, move the Coyotes to Vegas, and the Panthers to Quebec or Toronto. That being said, I'd be interested to see if Houston could support an NHL team. If they can, move the Panthers there instead. Hockey in South Florida is a joke.

I think the Sabres could make a playoff run this season, but the defense along with the goaltending is going to determine whether they sneak into the playoffs, or are a team that is still 10-15 points away. Just too many questions... Gorges...Will he be the same player after the microfracture surgery Pysyk...Can he be a top 4 20 minute player right away Risto...Continue to improve or regress as a youngster ala Myers Bogo...Can he stay healthy to the tune of dressing for 65-70 games Weber, Carlo & whomever else fills the 5-6-7 roles...They are adequate 10-15 minute per game guys. Lehner...Can he be a #1 and show that he is over concussion issues Johnson...Nothing more than a backup good for 15 games or so

One other funny thing... They were running a drill and instead of using the orange cones, the coaches placed their gloves on the ice to act as the pylons.

I will provide the odd observations(not all on ice)... - The entire 100 level was open with the exception of center ice section behind penalty box for sabres staff. - Passed Bylsma before scrimmage started. Had a big smile on his face. - Eichel is smooth(big surprise there). - Hurley who was not at rookie camp last season, was listed as part of second group, but I didn't see him(I only stayed for about 30 min of second group) - I noticed Estefan make a couple of great shots and equally bad efforts. LOL - I know this is an awful thing to say, but when watching Fasching, all I think about is Taylor Pyatt. Sorry. - Got wanded by security prior to being admitted. Seriously? For a rookie practice. PS Their wands suck. I had keys, coins and my phone in my pocket and no alarm. - Had to be 20-25 staff in Sabres section. The only guys I could pick out from across the ice were Bylsma and Murray. - 25% off a lot of Sabres gear...hats, tshirts, etc... - Might go tomorrow or Wednesday. Can't make scrimmage or 3 on 3, so this will be my fix until September.

Am I the only one curious as to the wording of the practices. In the past, I only remember them being listed as practices, along with the times/dates... On-ice coach’s practice: On-ice skills practice: On-ice testing: I wonder what the differences are between the 3?

Pretty sure they have one 2nd and four 3rds next year.

I actually thought his cap hit would be closer to 8mil. I don't really care how much Pegs handed to him in terms of signing bonus versus yearly salary. Only thing that matters to me is cap hit. I fully expect ROR to be worth every penny of this contract, especially years 4-7 when newer contracts will make this seem like a bargain.

Shannon's statement is about as dumb as they come. This team needs to start developing a winning culture ASAP, and the sooner it starts the better.

I think he is a very good #7. They don't need him every day(you wouldn't want to with his injury history), but for the price they paid, if they can get 20-30 games out of him as an injury replacement, that would be great. Key thing...he is healthy for the 20-30 games when you need him to be in the lineup. I don't think there is any place for Stewart on this roster, and at the price he will command, he wouldn't be slotted for 3rd-4th line minutes.

Not sure if this helps, but here is last years camp schedule... Thursday, Sept. 18 Players report for testing and physicals. **Closed to public.** Friday, Sept. 19 Session one: 10-11:30 a.m. Session two: 12-1:30 p.m. Session three: 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 Session one: 10-11:15 a.m. Session two: 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Session three: 1-2:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21 Pre-game skate (in Buffalo): 9:15-10 a.m. Practice session (non-game group): 10:15-11:30 a.m. Buffalo at Washington: 5 p.m., Verizon Center Monday, Sept. 22 Session one: 10-11:15 a.m. Session two: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 Practice session (non-game group): 9-10:15 a.m. Pre-game skate: 10:30-11:15 a.m. Carolina at Buffalo: 7 p.m., First Niagara Center Wednesday, Sept. 24 Session one: 10-11:15 a.m. Session two: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 Off day

Yep. I fully expect moves to be made and I don't mean Donovan. The Sabres and the Amerks will both be better if Ruhwedel and McCabe are Amerks this season.

While the Bruins the bed on draft day, they still have some good players. I can see them competing for a playoff spot this season...assuming Chara has something left in the tank.

Amerk fans should be extremely happy today...O'Reilly, Donovan & Akeson. Is there still room for Ellis in Rochester? :ph34r:

I can't remember from last year, but assuming they don't have legit reasons not to be there, I would expect all players from juniors, college, overseas, and also 1st and 2nd year pros. [edited]Along with enough invitees to make up a roster of 40 or so players.

You know what I like about Oduya... Even as he plays into his 30's, he continues to be a guy who doesn't miss many games. I would be okay with giving him 4 years, and if push came to shove, I'd give him 5.

Hard to believe development camp is next week. Look forward to going down for practice a couple days.

I still think the best case scenario(and obviously doesn't need to be resolved today or even in the next week or two) is for the Sabres to sign and/or trade for two defensemen to play with the big club next year. McCabe, Ruhwedel & Donovan would all be Rochester bound and can fight for the first injury call-up.

Slight reading comprehension issue this afternoon. :doh:

Rick Martin ;)

^^^ This. If the suites and seats are sold, that is all that matters to the owners and Bettman.