Too Many Buffalo Sabres, Not Enough Time
By Tim Redinger
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
What a problem for the Buffalo Sabres to have. Too many players on the training camp roster, and not enough time to properly evaluate the talent.
In a year with an abbreviated training camp and no exhibitions games to see how players truly react to one another, the Buffalo Sabres have a plethora of players that won’t make the opening night roster – but can’t make the 45 minute trip back to the farm without clearing waivers.
One guy fighting for a playoff spot is T.J. Brennan. He will be playing in the NHL this season, but if the Buffalo Sabres try to push him back through waivers – it won’t be in blue and gold.
A trade has to happen, and that could be why the Buffalo Sabres brought back veteran forward Jochen Hecht into the fold.
With nine NHL ready defenseman on the roster currently, and having already lost Joe Finley through waivers to the New York Islanders – GM Darcy Regier and head coach Lindy Ruff have some hard decisions to make. Who stays and who goes. Even newcomer Adam Pardy is proving his worth in the two days that the team has practiced so far. Buffalo has options – and needs up front, and you know that Regier’s phone has been ringing off the hook – possibly even before it was allowed.
Darcy has a habit of ot wanting to pull the trigger on a deal because the price was too high – or the return not enough. He may not have a choice this year – and I anticipate the Buffalo Sabres will be announcing at least two moves this year prior to the season starting.
Lindy Ruff said this morning on WGR550 with Howard Simon that he would love to keep all nine defenseman on the roster – but should realistically be seeking 7 or eight. Who will be the odd one or two guys out?
My vote would be on Andrej Sekera and Jordan Leopold. Not that I have anything against those guys, but the salary’s make sense, and Sekera has never really come to the level that he has shown in international play while wearing the sweater of the Buffalo Sabres. Both would promise a decent return back – depending on what Darcy’s dance partner has to offer and what exactly the Sabres are looking for in return.
The Edmonton Oilers have a lot of young prospects and players to offer – even if the Buffalo Sabres have a deep hatred lingering over the Thomas Vanek offer sheet incident.
Mikhail Grigorenko adds another interesting point to the mix. Proving himself in the short time he has been with the Buffalo Sabres – he will most likely get his five game tryout in Blue and Gold to start the season. An ugly false rumor drifted prior to the MOU signing that the Quebec Ramparts were not going to part with the Russian forward in the hopes of making a serious bid at the Memorial Cup. The Buffalo Sabres have several Memorial Cup winners that joined the team after their junior careers in Tyler Myers and Mark Pysyk – so staying in the Q to lift those championship trophies would not hurt Grigs, but the Buffalo Sabres could use his skill at the NHL level, so long that the jump from the QMJHL to the NHL doesn’t hinder the kids abilities.
Enjoy the highlights from yesterday’s scrimmage if you were not one of the many who made the trek downtown to watch the guys back on the ice.