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Buffalo Sabres Training Camp (2020/21)


LGR4GM

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Fresh Ralph interview on an NHL podcast today.

Among the highlights:

  • Some of their acquisitions were made specifically to address their inability to match up tactically with the Lightning
  • The taxi squad and the 7 game trial will allow them until February to get a feel on Cozens despite the fact he is missing camp.
  • They kept every player they wanted to keep (in case anyone was still wondering about Larsson)
  • Thinks Irwin will add something but said the team kept the same starting six deliberately because they like the mix and believe they have more to offer; quickly mentioned Montour.
  • Said physically the D corps has all added size and muscle and singled out Dahlin.
  • Intimated that Miller’s early issues were that his heart was still in Vegas.
  • Said Ullmark isn’t getting his due around the league, suggesting his injury last year was a big blow. Was also positive about Hutton’s recovery from his eye issue and about his attitude, but (IMO) didn’t give a ringing endorsement of his ability.
  • Said communication, teaching and culture building has been happening steadily behind the scenes, player to coaches, and player to player. Said Eichel and Hall have been communicating regularly and mentioned Hall’s workouts with Skinner.
  • Seems to treating the taxi squad like an expanded roster rather than a group of starters and emergency fillers; indicating they will be a full part of the team and will have to plug in and out of the lineup on a regular basis. Said we should be adding an extra line to our typical perception of 12 forwards and 7 D.
  • Thinks tactics mean a heckuva lot more in a set-up where you play 7 teams 8 times, then indicated he knows the coaches in our new division very, very well.
  • Goal is to win the majority of their 8-game seasonal series.
  • He has been using his contacts with Premier League soccer, Euro hockey, and the Bills to learn COVID protocols; the Sabres will be using stricter guidelines than those being implemented by the NHL.
  • will be two full-on regulation intrasquad games to make up for the lack of exhibition games.
Edited by dudacek
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7 hours ago, dudacek said:

Fresh Ralph interview on an NHL podcast today.

Among the highlights:

  • Some of their acquisitions were made specifically to address their inability to match up tactically with the Lightning
  • The taxi squad and the 7 game trial will allow them until February to get a feel on Cozens despite the fact he is missing camp.
  • They kept every player they wanted to keep (in case anyone was still wondering about Larsson)
  • Thinks Irwin will add something but said the team kept the same starting six deliberately because they like the mix and believe they have more to offer; quickly mentioned Montour.
  • Said physically the D corps has all added size and muscle and singled out Dahlin.
  • Intimated that Miller’s early issues were that his heart was still in Vegas.
  • Said Ullmark isn’t getting his due around the league, suggesting his injury last year was a big blow. Was also positive about Hutton’s recovery from his eye issue and about his attitude, but (IMO) didn’t give a ringing endorsement of his ability.
  • Said communication, teaching and culture building has been happening steadily behind the scenes, player to coaches, and player to player. Said Eichel and Hall have been communicating regularly and mentioned Hall’s workouts with Skinner.
  • Seems to treating the taxi squad like an expanded roster rather than a group of starters and emergency fillers; indicating they will be a full part of the team and will have to plug in and out of the lineup on a regular basis. Said we should be adding an extra line to our typical perception of 12 forwards and 7 D.
  • Thinks tactics mean a heckuva lot more in a set-up where you play 7 teams 8 times, then indicated he knows the coaches in our new division very, very well.
  • Goal is to win the majority of their 8-game seasonal series.
  • He has been using his contacts with Premier League soccer, Euro hockey, and the Bills to learn COVID protocols; the Sabres will be using stricter guidelines than those being implemented by the NHL.
  • will be two full-on regulation intrasquad games to make up for the lack of exhibition games.

That was great! Thanks.

Really interesting about the match ups with the Lightening.

Hopefully Ullmark thinks he has something to prove.

Just can't help getting the feeling they are growing into a real solid team from reading that.

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1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

RK is gonna be a reason this team makes it or falls flat. He's had extra time now to adapt his game to the new nhl. I worry about the defense adding size only if it compromises speed. 

The context was the relative youth of the group. If I remember correctly, he listed the mobility as a reason they like the group and added the strength as an area where they can, and did, grow.

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

If Buffalo is gonna carry 15 forwards, I think Ruustolainen makes this team. 

Ralph singled out how well he’s been doing overseas, and how well Bryson and Mittelstadt finished with the Amerks.

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9 minutes ago, dudacek said:

The context was the relative youth of the group. If I remember correctly, he listed the mobility as a reason they like the group and added the strength as an area where they can, and did, grow.

Ralph singled out how well he’s been doing overseas, and how well Bryson and Mittelstadt finished with the Amerks.

I did not know Bryson was doing so well. Love we have depth on defense finally. So if McCabe walks after the season maybe that does not hurt as much

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Riley Sheahan PTO - more C depth is always a good thing.  Nice addition to the taxi squad at the worst.

From @dudacek

Quote

Wrong thread I guess, but this morning Ralph took some responsibility for Skinner’s problems last year before going on about the need for defensive commitment. He said he and Skinner have had good talks about what needs to be different this year, but didn’t elaborate.

RK should admit that he failed to give Skinner proper linemates, like Reinhart or Eichel, to get him going.

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4 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

So Cozens, Quinn, Johnson and JJP won’t be available until Jan 12/13 at the earliest?

Yes, although Johnson will return to Minnesota as he doesn’t have an ELC yet.

1 minute ago, thewookie1 said:

I wonder if they could run their own practices with a non-team coach?

 

I think it’s full quarantine, with exercise equipment being delivered to their rooms as Hockey Canada did. 

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