Sabres skirmishing in practice is exactly what this team needs

Say what you will about fighting in hockey, let alone fighting in practice. I, for one, am all for a few scrums as long as there’s proper etiquette involved. Sure, there could be long-term ramifications for those who are repeat offenders years from today, but that’s their choice, so it’s where I stand. As for the Sabres, they seem to be, at the moment, completely fine with getting physical during practice. 

Hey, when you’re getting physical at practice, this kind of stuff will happen, especially when you need to up the intensity following a 1-3-0 start. If you’ve read my most recent takes on the Sabres, you’ll know that I’ve raised the bar this season, even if I’m not expecting the playoffs. 

But with Lindy Ruff back in town and more physical play than this team has seen in years, competitive hockey is a must. And if it’s not trending in the right direction and two players get tangled up, let them go at it, as was the case between Rasmus Dahlin and Peyton Krebs.

Scrums in practice should be accepted by Sabres fans this season

I’m all for scrums, and to be frank, they need to continue so the level of intensity can get to a point and remain sky-high. Note that I’m not saying we need to see players skirmishing or dropping gloves in every practice, and definitely not in every game. 

But if this team’s looking flat either at the Harborcenter, KeyBank Center, or when they’re on a road trip, add that element to the game. Again, if the players are cool with the risks along with the short and potential long-term ramifications, it’s their choice as long as fighting and scrums remain legal in the game. 

We’ve seen enough low-energy hockey from the Blue and Gold for how long now? It’s one of many reasons Lindy Ruff is back in town. The Sabres needed a culture and an identity change, and Ruff brings that to the forefront, so if I’m Buffalo, I want to keep it going. 

But, I will end on this one caveat: You can fight, scrum, and shove one another around all you want; just make sure it doesn’t spill over into the locker room. They need to be friends off the ice, and, if the situation calls for it, enemies on the ice, then go back to being friends again, which should only build team chemistry.