(WGR 550) -- Some notes from Friday's Sabres practice:
-- Craig Rivet spoke more about the role he played in Mike Grier landing in Buffalo. Grier had a number of offers on the table and called Rivet because he knew the Sabres skipper wouldn't "B.S." him about the direction of the organization. Grier said "Riv" did a good job.
-- Rivet also spoke to his hope for the careers of the youth on defense, saying Mike Weber and Tyler Myers have impressed him in camp. When asked about Chris Butler's strong debut last season and what to expect in terms of growth this year, Rivet stressed that to see Butler repeat last year's performance over an 82-game stretch would be great, and not to heap crazy expectations on the 22-year old blueliner (who turns 23 on Oct. 27).
-- The team is speaking highly of Steve Montador, the free agent defensemen who leads all Sabres preseason players in shots on goal. Rivet agreed that Montador has been an overlooked player at most of his stops, and praised his smarts and toughness (Rivet and Montador fought last season). For Montador's part, he speaks a heady game and has done some good things in his offseasons, like teach underprivileged Tanzanian kids sports with the Right to Play program in July 2007 with fellow blueliner Andrew Ference, currently of the Boston Bruins.
-- Lindy Ruff spoke glowingly of Matt Ellis, not only for his offense production, but for not complaining about ice time during an relatively exceptional first year with the club. Ruff said most players who work very hard and produce end up griping for more ice time, but that Ellis has accepted time on the ice, whether 30 seconds or eight minutes per game.
-- Ruff said the two Sabres goaltenders would each get a full game between the pipes this weekend.
-- I asked Rivet about his transition from pugilist to pointman, and the captain spoke about how he was an offensive defenseman with some gaudy numbers when drafted from the Kingston Frontenacs. But Rivet noticed that the Habs had taken another right-handed shot in the first round of the 1992 draft, while Rivet was taken in the third round. So Rivet toughened up his game to make the big club, knowing that Montreal had high hopes for their first round pick (Rivet wouldn't name him, but it was David Wilkie, who went on to play 167 total games with the Canadiens, Lightning and Rangers). It's this sort of versatility and smarts that help to make Rivet a good guy to help youngsters on a hockey club.
They are all nuts. Bottom line. Let's see what is said on when they miss the playoffs three years in a row. A repeat in the off season: We didn't get the swagger we hoped.
09/25/2009 5:52PM
Fact
So.. that means when we DO make the playoffs this year you will be one of the ones on the bandwagon. Season didn't even start.. have some faith.
09/25/2009 6:12PM
re: thought
cant wait till guys like you come crawling back when the sabres are in the playoffs. the season hasnt even started yet and you're already writing them off. you're probably the same guy who wrote them off coming right out of the lockout. loser
09/25/2009 7:35PM
Playoffs
I know hockey. This team will be in the playoffs.
09/25/2009 9:41PM
raring to go! to the Golf course!
yeah great cheerleading! another year of excuse making and exonerating managment as we fail to get into the playoffs again!
09/25/2009 11:00PM
re: thought
seriously your such a bandwagon fan that can just go crawl in a hole. exactly like other people saisd your gunna be one of the people that come back and support the sabres when they DO make the playoffs. real sabres fans believe anything is possible.
09/26/2009 12:51AM
Saterdays game
Its only preseason but ill be there to support the team,habs suck!
09/26/2009 5:26AM
we are making the playoffs
next year.
09/26/2009 8:24AM
Long Wait
Can't wait for hockey to start
09/26/2009 10:04AM
I love all the bandwagon fans
You people who don't think this team can make the playoffs are out of your mind.. Granted we are hoping our core can all come together at once but every team that made off season splashes spent money on a roy vanek pomminville connoly etc.. We have those guys what did you want to do go pay 5 mill for mike cammallari who LA didnt even want and who will be a dud in montreal.. Like I said about the only move I think we could have made was maybe going after a tanguay (who signed real cheap) but what do all of you bandwagon fans want? We have tremendous talent---we don't need d or o we have an abundance of players we even have a few vets possibly fighting for a spot(hank,ellis,mccormick etc) we have a bright future ---this is to all the real fans --can you imagine if hecht connoly roy pom van staff grier fire on all cylinders????? thats one hell of a squad not to mention we also have paille and mac---o well I'll just sit back and wait for all the bandwagon fans to keep not renewing their season tickets so I can get off the waiting list and in the arena more than 5-10 times a year
09/26/2009 10:22AM
really??
what has mgmt done to change anything?.. its the same friggin team that has misssed the playoffs the last two years!.. how gullible and ignorant does mgmt think we are?
09/26/2009 11:43AM
re re: thought
I dont know why you both are hounding this person so much. They have a point, it doesnt make them a bandwagon fan. This organization always makes excuses on why we didnt succeed (especially the past 2 seasons)yet they dont make the necessary changes. They rely too much on prospect growth
09/26/2009 12:17PM
Guys
Come on guys. The Sabres haven't even started for real yet, and look at them in the games that don't count: 3-0-1. Get real guys, and stop doubting before they've started!
09/26/2009 4:18PM
Really??
you expect the same team that missed the playoffs by 1 win last season while plagued with injuries including there all star goalie and there goal scorer to make the playoffs. obviously im being sarcastic. the Sabres need to stay healthy the only signing we needed to do this off season was to get some more trainers. stop bashing the Sabres cuz they didn't sign everyone in free agency. this isnt nhl 10 you cant sign everyone with an 87 rating or above then trade for the rest of the stars in the league.
09/26/2009 5:14PM
Take it easy
Everybody just take it easy now. The Sabres will be in the playoffs this season. So SHUT THE F UP!
09/26/2009 8:19PM
Hecht
Anyone that isn't a blind homer knows that Hecht is garbage and as long as the Sabres keep trying to use him like a top liner it will continue to hold them back.
09/27/2009 10:31AM
re:Hecht
yeah..just because hecht isn't the best of players he's gonna hold them back?? just one player?? okkk. there are 23 other guys who need to do the same. Hecht isn't the only one on the team that needs to step up you loser. God can everyone just shut up already? those who are bashing them cannot call yourself real fans. If all you do is complain, then just don't watch them.. man its not that hard.If they bug you so much don't follow them.. you're not a real fan anyway. Through thick and thin is what a TRUE fan is all about.
09/27/2009 1:47PM
re:Hecht
I agree, Hecht is dead weight on this team. He's neither physical or a skilled play maker. He needs to be traded or sent down and make room for someone else.
09/27/2009 1:50PM
Miller
To make it to the Stanley cup Finals, this club needs to have a team on the ice that can consistently score more than 3 goals every night. Miller is incapable of winning close games against the elite teams in the league.
To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 1 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 2 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; tournament; WGR; Jeremy White; Golf; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 3 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 4 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 5 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 6 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 7 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 8 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala;
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