Lockout is Over.....2013 Preseason Talk!

[S319R11S16]

Ugh, would be great if Lindy didn't force him into a top 6 role like you all know he will.

Exactly my issue.

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]

Cue the season opener rumors!

Canes beat guy says opener could be against them on 1/19 (which was on the original 82 game schedule):

PNC Arena is booked Jan. 19 for rodeo. Canes had game scheduled in Buffalo. Was told that could be the season opener.

https://twitter.com/ice_chip/status/288732668684812288

Meanwhile, Black is speculating that the Sabres' opener will be on 1/20:

Black says likely home opener for #sabres will be jan. 20 but sked still TBA.

https://twitter.com/BNHarrington/status/288724303585882112

 

[Zip15]

Cue the season opener rumors!

Canes beat guy says opener could be against them on 1/19 (which was on the original 82 game schedule):



https://twitter.com/ice_chip/status/288732668684812288

Meanwhile, Black is speculating that the Sabres' opener will be on 1/20:



https://twitter.com/BNHarrington/status/288724303585882112

Well, it won't be Ottawa. Winnipeg Free Press reporting the Sens will open at the Jets on 1/19. Not surprising that a source--*cough*the NHL*cough*--leaked that to the newspaper that was effectively the league's mouthpiece during the lockout.

EDIT: That game is at 1:30 p.m. I anticipate a "Day of Hockey" with the Jets kicking it off with their great home crowd.

 

[KevinFG]

Glad to see the Jets get a moment in the sun (if true). Because their travel schedule is going to SUCK this year.

 

[rabi]

did anyone else realize that Grigorenko will be 18 for this entire season, when was the last time we had an 18 year old in the discussion to make the team?

please no age jokes that wasn't funny 8 months ago

Pierre Turgeon?
Born 8/28/1969

SEASON TEAM GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG S S%
1987-1988 Sabres 76 14 28 42 -8 34 8 0 3 101 13.9

Grigs turns "19" on May 16th, so Turgeon was younger

 

[LaxSabre]

Cue the season opener rumors! Canes beat guy says opener could be against them on 1/19 -
meanwhile, Black is speculating that the Sabres' opener will be on 1/20.

Hopefully its away on January 19 and home on January 20. I'm a Bandits fan too (as well as a STH) and I was planning on attending the Bandits game in Rochester on January 19 and that definiately won't happen if the Sabres open up that night at home. Reason: I'm a Sabres STH as well (since 1999) and hasn't missed a home opener since 1994 (bad illness) and before that since the late 80's. No way I'm having my streak end because of a rescheduling due to a lockout.

 

[jBuds]

Cue the season opener rumors!

Canes beat guy says opener could be against them on 1/19 (which was on the original 82 game schedule):



https://twitter.com/ice_chip/status/288732668684812288

Meanwhile, Black is speculating that the Sabres' opener will be on 1/20:



https://twitter.com/BNHarrington/status/288724303585882112

I took that as "the home opener will be January 20th"... Will we be in Carolina to lose to the Staal's and Semin the night before?


Edit:

At a 30-minute meeting with the media, Black revealed the team is still waiting on the season schedule and it may not come until after Wednesday's Board of Governors ratification meeting in New York City. Training camp is expected to open Saturday, Sunday or Monday with the season starting Jan. 19 but Black said he some indication Buffalo's first home game will be Sunday, Jan. 20.

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2013/01/sabres-president-apologizes-for-lockout.html?ref=brp


Edit again:

Carolina was on the original schedule for January 19th, but that was to be in Buffalo.

The Sabres were still waiting Tuesday night to hear when their season will begin. The schedule, which is expected to feature 48 intraconference games, could be released today but possibly not until Thursday. The Sabres’ original calendar called for them to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 19.

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130109/SPORTS/130109309/1004

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]

The rumored opener against Carolina would still be in Buffalo.

 

[jBuds]

The rumored opener against Carolina would still be in Buffalo.

You're certain? Did the beat guy report that as well? Curious, because I didn't read the piece by him.

 

[Zip15]

You're certain? Did the beat guy report that as well? Curious, because I didn't read the piece by him.

Read the above tweet re: PNC Arena (formerly RBC Center) not being available on 1/19.

 

[Chainshot]

We can basically write off Dominic Moore making a return to the NHL this year. His wife, Katie, passed away today from her battle with cancer today.

Such a sad story.

That was what I was afraid of. Condolences to Dom and his family.

 

[TehDoak]

Potential Suitors for the Sabres blueline extras:

Vancouver, St. Louis and Ottawa are all looking per spectors

http://spectorshockey.net/blog/nhl-morning-rumor-mill-january-9-2013/

 

[Zip15]

Potential Suitors for the Sabres blueline extras:

Vancouver, St. Louis and Ottawa are all looking per spectors

http://spectorshockey.net/blog/nhl-morning-rumor-mill-january-9-2013/

The Blues would be a good fit, IMO. Watching that series against LA, I was appalled at their complete lack of any LHD who could move the puck out of their zone with any consistency. I think LA would consistently dump it to the RHD corner (Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk), take away the wall and pass middle, and force it over to guys like Jackman, Cole, et al., who'd promptly turn the puck over under a heavy forecheck.

I'd probably take a 2nd rounder from them, even if it's likely to be in the 50-60 range. Looking at their youngsters, I can't think of anyone we'd want that they'd be willing to give up. Guys like Schwartz and Tarasenko are most definitely off-limits, especially for only Leopold. I don't imagine they're in a hurry to move any of their merry band of NHL youngsters, either--Oshie, Berglund, Perron, et al.

One guy I'd love for them to look at is Vlad Sobotka. He's a scrappy type with some skill, and I remember hating him during that Boston playoff series. He's signed for two more years at 1.3m per, and can play some center, IIRC.

 

[Jame]

The Blues would be a good fit, IMO. Watching that series against LA, I was appalled at their complete lack of any LHD who could move the puck out of their zone with any consistency. I think LA would consistently dump it to the RHD corner (Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk), take away the wall and pass middle, and force it over to guys like Jackman, Cole, et al., who'd promptly turn the puck over under a heavy forecheck.

I'd probably take a 2nd rounder from them, even if it's likely to be in the 50-60 range. Looking at their youngsters, I can't think of anyone we'd want that they'd be willing to give up. Guys like Schwartz and Tarasenko are most definitely off-limits, especially for only Leopold. I don't imagine they're in a hurry to move any of their merry band of NHL youngsters, either--Oshie, Berglund, Perron, et al.

One guy I'd love for them to look at is Vlad Sobotka. He's a scrappy type with some skill, and I remember hating him during that Boston playoff series. He's signed for two more years at 1.3m per, and can play some center, IIRC.

 

[imyourhuckleberry]

Mike Harrington ‏@BNHarrington
So openers on 19th are OTT at WPG and TOR at MON. Black said #sabres open at home on 20th. Thus looks like BUF at BOS on 19th.

Just speculation but still this would be ideal!

 

[TehDoak]

Fun, an early gut check against a hated opponent, in boston none the less.

$5 says Scott, McCormick, Kaleta 4th line gets plenty of ice time.

 

[ottsabrefan]

As per Bob Mac, rookies will likely get 5 games w/o burning year.

 

[Zip15]

Fun, an early gut check against a hated opponent, in boston none the less.

$5 says Scott, McCormick, Kaleta 4th line gets plenty of ice time.

McCormick is injured and likely won't be ready for the season. I'd imagine Scott will dress. Finding a willing dance partner, on the other hand, is another issue.

 

[Woodhouse]

Scott is the only addition to the guys skating at Northtown Center today; Ennis and Regehr opted not to skate.

And BTW Ruff's on HH right now with Sylvester and Robitaille.

EDIT: This morning's audio: Regier on Howard Simon Show, Leopold on HH and Ruff on HH.

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

Thirded.

 

[Woodhouse]

Grigorenko arrived in Quebec yesterday and said he's "really excited and a little nervous" about attending Buffalo's training camp. He could play his final QMJHL game tomorrow versus Chicoutimi.

 

[jfb392]

Per CapGeek, even though the start of free agency remains unchanged, teams may meet with players from the day after the Draft until the day prior to free agency.

 

[TehDoak]

Per CapGeek, even though the start of free agency remains unchanged, teams may meet with players from the day after the Draft until the day prior to free agency.

That should make the first hour following the opening of free agency even more chaotic. Hopefully this will allow teams to actually bring a player in, show them the facilities and city rather than meet in a random Ontario office building to 'interview' with the player for a few hours.

 

[Paxon]

Per CapGeek, even though the start of free agency remains unchanged, teams may meet with players from the day after the Draft until the day prior to free agency.

I'm so glad they did this. The NBA has a similar set-up (1 week talk period before start of free agency I believe) and you have to think it helps prevent teams from making panic moves. It also allows teams that may not necessarily be high on a player's radar (such as, I don't know, the Buffalo Sabres) get their pitch in as players' time is less a precious resource.

 

[couture23]

Ruff says Miller will likely get 36-38 games this year.