3 major takeaways from Buffalo Sabres training camp – Thursday

The Buffalo Sabres took the ice for the first time on Thursday, and a few major topics jumped out at us, both on and off the ice.

The Buffalo Sabres held their first training camp practice today, and we got some incredible insight both on and off the ice. Of course, on the ice, there is rarely anything incredible worth noting on Day 1 of practice, so two-thirds of our takeaways today are discussing what happened or is happening off the ice.

There was, however, one notable thing to note that occurred at practice regarding a certain defensive pairing. But at this point, it’s not something you need to read into too much. However, there is more insight on the Jack Quinn situation, and who ultimately will (or won’t) take this spot at winger on the second line.

So what jumped out at Sabres camp as the team took the ice? Keep reading for a trio of insights and our opinions on each.

Takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres camp on Thursday

1 – A Clifton-Dahlin Pairing?

Early in camp, I often take one look at the lineups, shrug, then go about my day. But the one pairing that jumped at me had Connor Clifton lining up next to Rasmus Dahlin. This was the first time we saw Clifton out on the ice as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, and the physical 28-year-old would make an interesting complement to the two-way Dahlin.

However, it’s also imperative not to get too locked up on the lines and pairings at this point in camp. It’s still so early that we got prospects skating next to established players, and head coach Don Granato is doing nothing more than experimenting, as he should be.

That being said, I fully expect Clifton to pair primarily with either Dahlin on the first, or with Owen Power on the second.