Sabres Training Camp 2025

[Porous Five Hole]

3 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I think UPL remains the plan for now.

The fact the Levi is with the Amerks, not the Sabres emphasizes that he is not currently the plan.

But like a noted intellect once observed, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.

The concerning part is no update to UPL and a timeline.  I just started a new thread to discuss.  If I am the decision maker, it has to be Levi on opening night….right?

[Taro T]

On 9/18/2025 at 10:21 AM, LGR4GM said:

 

 

Interesting that they'e been running the NHLers vs the NHLers and AHLers vs AHLers and so on in camp.  Pretty sure they did that last year, but they also were on a very condensed schedule.

Traditionally, they've had their 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th lines / pairings in one session and then the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th in the other so they could either have NHL v NHLer or see how the guys fighting to move up do on occassion vs their own NHLers.

Maybe read Heather's tweets (or whatever blusky posts are called) incorrectly, but that's how it seems they're doing things this time.

[ska-T Palmtown]

8 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

I don't want to talk much about Bruins because this is a Sabres site and people don't want that but since you asked the contrast is massive.

Now, as I said, if your team is a top team and a cup contender your line up is pretty close to set. So when you look back on the Bergeron era top rated Bruins teams rookies were in camp but on the margins for sure. But the Sabres aren't a top team. You don't have a set line up (pretty much the same as the year before) when you sucked. 

So this year, Bruins now suck like the Sabres, camp is loaded with people fighting for jobs. It's near impossible to know who will play where outside of maybe Geekie Lindholm Pasta.   They are moving people around all over. They really have too many bodies. Way too many. Will any young guys make it? No idea, but the idea that fans don't know the final lines and roster at all is the contrast. 

By all rights Bruins should suck and bottom feed for the next several years. If they finish this year ahead of the Sabres you as a Sabres fan might as well just give up watching hockey. 

Did the Broons reporters share lines from camp? How is that any different? There have to be lines. The Broons coach has some he wants to try, I am sure. It seems kinda absurd to vary your lines day-to-day, you never build or see chemistry. I get that the Sabres are frustrating, but being upset (hopeless? disappointed?) because you don't like the lines Ruff trotted out day one and two of camp is probably a bit much, no? And we know from many past seasons that the "second line" won't necessarily be used the second most ,etc, etc ... 

[shrader]

6 hours ago, Taro T said:

Interesting that they'e been running the NHLers vs the NHLers and AHLers vs AHLers and so on in camp.  Pretty sure they did that last year, but they also were on a very condensed schedule.

Traditionally, they've had their 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th lines / pairings in one session and then the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th in the other so they could either have NHL v NHLer or see how the guys fighting to move up do on occassion vs their own NHLers.

Maybe read Heather's tweets (or whatever blusky posts are called) incorrectly, but that's how it seems they're doing things this time.

How far back does traditionally go? Back to Lindy’s first run?

[Taro T]

15 minutes ago, shrader said:

How far back does traditionally go? Back to Lindy’s first run?

At least into the 00's.  Don't recall how much further back it'd go.

[PerreaultForever]

10 hours ago, dudacek said:

What would you say to Lindy when he tells reporters he wants to maximize the implementation of structural changes in the way the team plays defence?

He said wants those systems absorbed together by the players most likely to be playing together and tested against the best possible opponents, rather than minor-leaguers and prospects.

You say Kulich is not ready for 2nd line minutes, and Benson is not ready for 1st line minutes, and you've said none of the Sabres minor leaguers are NHL ready.

And you've also said they're not giving players chances to prove themselves and find chemistry.

Explain to me how that isn't arguing against yourself.

To the first, my comment to Lindy would be why was that not done last year when you first got here? Why don't most of these guys already know your defensive system? Or why was there no defensive system last year?

To the second part, I'm saying this illustrates the flaw and the lies. They have said they want internal competition and they claim to have depth. And yet, the line up is basically set and like last year so where's the depth? Where's the competition? If you are making these claims shouldn't we be seeing something to that effect? So since we aren't, we can see that they are just lying. 

So I am not arguing against myself because although the situation I want is competition for jobs I fully know that doesn't exist. Doesn't mean I can't want it though or say that's how it should be. 

[PerreaultForever]

2 hours ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

Did the Broons reporters share lines from camp? How is that any different? There have to be lines. The Broons coach has some he wants to try, I am sure. It seems kinda absurd to vary your lines day-to-day, you never build or see chemistry. I get that the Sabres are frustrating, but being upset (hopeless? disappointed?) because you don't like the lines Ruff trotted out day one and two of camp is probably a bit much, no? And we know from many past seasons that the "second line" won't necessarily be used the second most ,etc, etc ... 

See my post above. What I want and what I see are two different things. 

The Bruins have already moved people around. Zacha has been at center and wing for example. The Bruins spent the entire second day doing one on one board battles to which Casey Mittelstadt said "I've never done those that much any camp. It was hard but I enjoyed it for the most part". I think the focus they have is completely different. Looks like they plan to grind and grind hard. Probably a decent plan as their scoring ability is suspect to say the least. 

Putting Zacha at center is a major surprise though. Most people figured Mitts would be there until Poitras was ready to move up. Now nobody knows where Mitts ends up as the third line looks like it's maybe Jeannot Kuraly and Eyessimont. Minten is also pressing for a center spot. Beecher (their Krebs last year) is going to have a hard time keeping his job. 

Ultimately my main point is you line up a roster the same as the year before and your results are likely to be the same too. Bad teams shouldn't be set in camp. Period. If they are, the organization has failed before it starts.