Confirmed with Link: Sabres open 2024-25 season in Prague, Czechia vs NJ Devils + Preseason game vs RB Munich

[Doug Prishpreed]

Casey played very well for them in preseason so it will be interesting to see if his level of play stays as high as the opponents round out with full NHL rosters. Given his history, he seems like a good bet to keep it up.

The Devils appear to be leaning into a lot of puck movement in the same way Buffalo will. If Siegenthaler is back to form and the addition of Pesce, they have a couple of excellent play killers. Hamilton's absence last year was also a big blow, pushes everyone down a spot on the depth chart now that he's back.

Markstrom-Allen is also the best net tandem they've had in years. It'll be a test for sure.

I’m just talking about two two games - I do think they’re clearly a better team than Buffalo with Pesce and Hughes but I’m hopeful for these first two since they look even on paper.

Regarding Casey, that’s annoying to hear. I think I guaranteed he wouldn’t be an impact player so that’s looks like another whiff for me in the “projecting defensemen” category.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

The problem with both Allen and Markstrom is they can look like a Vezina candidate one game, and then look ECHL level the next.

That’s every goalie except for like two or three of them

 

[Dingo44]

Now it's Špaček, Kotalik, and Miller!

 

[Sabre the Win]

Surprised Buffalo didn't send Dom out there.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Spacek was my favorite , I hope TBN interviews him

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Surprised Buffalo didn't send Dom out there.

I don’t think the team is sending these guys, they just wanted to go. Im sure there’s a seat for Dom at any game he wants to see.

 

[Dingo44]

I don’t think the team is sending these guys, they just wanted to go. Im sure there’s a seat for Dom at any game he wants to see.

I agree. I'll be shocked if Dom isn't at one or both games. This was just a practice visit but it's still cool to see them. I bet Ruff can tell the current kids stories about all three - and they can tell them stories about playing for Ruff!

 

[OilersFanatics505]

Do the Sabres and Devils salary cap tracking start and end earlier than everyone else?

 

[Jacob582]

Do the Sabres and Devils salary cap tracking start and end earlier than everyone else?

Don't think so.

Team rosters for all 32 teams are due on Monday, October 7th at 5:00 PM.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I agree. I'll be shocked if Dom isn't at one or both games. This was just a practice visit but it's still cool to see them. I bet Ruff can tell the current kids stories about all three - and they can tell them stories about playing for Ruff!

Kotalik seems like he’s a huge Sabres fan still, follows the team closely. I’d love to know if Spacek is doing likewise, and what he thinks of the defense this year.

 

[Matt Ress]

Didn't Dom and Ruff not get along? I could be misremembering

 

[Dingo44]

Didn't Dom and Ruff not get along? I could be misremembering

That was Nolan.

 

[Chainshot]

Didn't Dom and Ruff not get along? I could be misremembering

Dom and Ted Nolan did not get along. Dom and Regier/Rigas also didn't see eye-to-eye because of the Peca holdout his last year in Buffalo.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Do the Sabres and Devils salary cap tracking start and end earlier than everyone else?

I don’t believe so. Especially seeing they’re both carrying 4 extra people on the trip. Pretty sure if they were that’d put the Devils over the cap ceiling.

 

[Gras]

One more sleep, then we get hockey at 1pm and 10am

So glad I am not working.

More like 10am and 7am

 

[Jim Bob]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841886423739228558

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841880952194400723

 

[TehDoak]

Surprised Buffalo didn't send Dom out there.

I don’t think the team is sending these guys, they just wanted to go. Im sure there’s a seat for Dom at any game he wants to see.

Hasek might be boycotting the NHL. He was very vocal about Russian players shouldn’t be allowed to play without condemning the war in the Ukraine.

Edit:

A quick google search shows that yes, that is the reason:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841826463684706505

 

[Matt Ress]

Hasek might be boycotting the NHL. He was very vocal about Russian players shouldn’t be allowed to play without condemning the war in the Ukraine.

Edit:

A quick google search shows that yes, that is the reason:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841826463684706505

Yea wow I'm guessing Dom's not making an appearance

 

[Beerz]

Hasek might be boycotting the NHL. He was very vocal about Russian players shouldn’t be allowed to play without condemning the war in the Ukraine.

Edit:

A quick google search shows that yes, that is the reason:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841826463684706505

While I disagree with Dom on this i can respect his decision.

 

[DapperCam]

While I disagree with Dom on this i can respect his decision.

It feels like an extreme position, but it's hard to put myself in his shoes. He grew up in the Eastern Bloc and the current war is a potential existential threat to himself and his country. The distance between the Czech Republic and Ukraine is about the same as the distance between Buffalo and Cincinnati.

 

[Weltschmerz]

Now it's Špaček, Kotalik, and Miller!

Connolly and Kotalik

candk.ytmnd.com

By the way in 24 hours the first game would be over, time to start the GDT.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[Weltschmerz]

While I disagree with Dom on this i can respect his decision.

He is a bit like Bobby fischer, genius are extreme sometimes.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

View attachment 912100

Has Kotalik shrunk? I'd swear he was bigger than that. And damn, Spacek looks old. Probably IS old...

I landed in Prague a couple of hours ago. So pumped up to be finally watching this team play in the flesh.

 

[BUCKSHOT]

Has Kotalik shrunk? I'd swear he was bigger than that. And damn, Spacek looks old. Probably IS old...

I landed in Prague a couple of hours ago. So pumped up to be finally watching this team play in the flesh.

Hope you have a great time !