26CornerBlitz Posted August 23, 2018 Author Posted August 23, 2018 Sabres' Okposo is feeling great and ready to get back to what he used to be Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) - When Kyle Okposo left in April, he said he must demand more from himself and was looking forward to working out in the summer the way he knew he can. If you remember, last summer Okposo didn’t know if he’d ever play hockey or be normal again after a bout with Altered Mental Status caused by a medication he got for a concussion. The winger was never really right during the season and he knew it, “I feel good, I worked on a lot of things that I needed to work on and feeling a lot better coming into camp this year than last year, that’s for sure.” In his career, Okposo averages 21 goals and 56 points over 82 games. Last season, he netted 15 goals and 44 points. Last season was also very mentally draining on the winger. In the past four months, he didn’t have to worry about if he can be the husband or dad that he wants to be. He didn’t have to worry about if he’d every play hockey again. He said that was a huge load off of him, “It was a big relief to where I could just train the way that I wanted to and do the things that I know make me a successful hockey player. Last summer was a lot about working on my mind and just making sure I could play the game again, where now I know I can play so lets get back to trying to be an elite player.” 1
26CornerBlitz Posted August 23, 2018 Author Posted August 23, 2018 Sabres' Eichel focuses on keeping fiery emotions in check BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Breaking sticks, icy stares and one-word answers made out of frustration have done nothing to transform the Sabres into contenders during center Jack Eichel’s three seasons in Buffalo. Perhaps, Eichel has begun to realize he can’t lead by emotion alone. “I think that’s important, obviously, not reacting, body language, staying upbeat. I think that’s part of it,” Eichel told The Associated Press after joining numerous teammates for an informal session at the team’s practice facility Thursday.
26CornerBlitz Posted August 24, 2018 Author Posted August 24, 2018 Nice write up on Mittelstadt in The Athletic: The Gifted: Sabres super-prospect Casey Mittelstadt a... I distinctly remember the first time I was ever blown away by Casey Mittelstadt. It was Sept. 22, 2016 and his draft season had barely just begun. I was beginning to ramp up my scouting for Future Considerations with one of the big early events on the draft calendar: The CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game. In a losing effort (Mittelstadt’s Team Howe lost 6-4 to Team LeClair), Mittelstadt looked bored. Not bored in the lazy kind of way but bored in the my-skill-set-is-so-far-ahead-of-everyone-else-on-this-ice-that-I-can-do-whatever-I-want kind of way. In a game that featured top-flight prospects such as Kailer Yamamoto, Jason Robertson, Josh Norris and Ryan Poehling, Mittelstadt looked peerless. He scored twice (the only player to do so) and was named player of the game. The first goal looked like this: 1
BillsFan4 Posted August 24, 2018 Posted August 24, 2018 (edited) Good stuff 26. I still feel that in the years to come Mittelstadt may prove to be a top 4 player from that draft. Maybe even top 2. I am getting really excited for this season! Here is is a similar breakdown of Rasmus Dahlin, for those who missed it before the draft (and have an athletic subscription) - https://theathletic.com/322529/2018/04/23/breaking-down-rasmus-dahlin-the-makings-of-a-generational-talent-and-first-overall-lock/ Quote And this year at the draft there will be no debate; no Nico vs. Nolan, no Taylor vs. Tyler. As good as Andrei Svechnikov and Filip Zadina are, there is one prize at the top in 2018. Rasmus Dahlin. But what are these teams ‘playing’ for in the lottery? What makes Dahlin so unique as to make him worthy of pursuing worse than 1-in-5 odds (at best) at landing him? The numbers tell part of the story. In 41 games for Frolunda in the SHL this year, Dahlin picked up seven goals and 20 points, making him the highest-scoring under-18 defenceman in the history of Sweden’s top tier. This isn’t new for Dahlin. The previous season, his 22 points in 24 games in SuperElit (Sweden’s top under-20 junior league) represented the highest points per game clip (0.92) ever for an under-17 defenceman with a 24-or-more game sample size. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story...... But beyond the numbers, what makes Dahlin special are all of the stylistic traits that give him a chance to become a truly unique, dynamic player. Quote What we can learn from Dahlin’s record-breaking offensive season, beyond the historic numbers, is that the plays he’s making are plays of skill, speed, finesse, and technique. With each extra goal, or highlight reel assist comes a reaffirmation of the transformative ability he has. It shows us that what he’s done is repeatable and that his eight per cent shooting percentage (high for a defenceman) is no fluke. Above all else, it’s the way he makes plays, not the end results, that give us a glimpse into the unknown. That dynamism leads to wonder — wonder about the possibilities and the potential. The potential of something truly new and different. Very few players create that kind of wonder. Ovechkin. McDavid. Karlsson. Dahlin’s skillset has that kind of lure. It’s up to him to fulfill it. Edited August 24, 2018 by BillsFan4 1
BillsFan4 Posted August 25, 2018 Posted August 25, 2018 Good article on Dahlin (from the Buffalo news. No subscription required) https://buffalonews.com/2018/08/24/as-rasmus-dahlin-settles-in-buffalo-few-teen-traces-remain/ Quote Every time he’s on the ice he shows the skill set he has,” said veteran center Zemgus Girgensons, who has spent ample time on and off ice with Dahlin this summer. “It’s definitely what you’d expect from a first overall pick. It’s pretty impressive what we can do out there. The division, the stickhandling, it’s all there. Off the ice, he’s a mature guy. You’d never think he’s 18 years old. He carries himself like a professional.” Quote Dahlin has spent plenty of time away from the rink this summer with teammates, including Girgensons and Casey Mittelstadt. He took in a Bills game and the Beyonce/Jay-Z concert at New Era Field. He’s already recognizable, getting stopped for photos and autographs wherever he goes. Though that’s not new for Dahlin – as a hockey prodigy, he’s been a national celebrity in Sweden for a few years – it does feel more intense. “It’s a little bit different,” he said. “Everyone told me it’s a hockey town, and I can feel it. It’s great. Great fans.”
BillsFan4 Posted August 27, 2018 Posted August 27, 2018 Another good article on Mittelstadt (sub. required). https://theathletic.com/491592/2018/08/27/after-initial-taste-of-nhl-casey-mittelstadt-continues-to-grind-towards-first-full-year-with-the-sabres/ Interesting blurb on Eichel - Quote It was Eichel who did his part to help bring Mittelstadt more into the fold over the summer as he paid him a visit in Minnesota in a bonding trip of sorts. Even though Eichel himself is still young, he wanted to make sure to lead the way for Mittelstadt and other guys in that area. “He came out to Minny and we got all the guys from Buffalo out there (Phil Housley, C.J. Smith, and Casey Nelson) and played some golf and hung out a little bit,” Mittelstadt said. “It’s cool to see guys come out and it makes you have some fun and get to know each other better and for a young guy like me that’s huge to try and get to know the guys as quick as I can. It’s huge.” I love hearing this type of stuff. He was also the first one who took Casey out to dinner last season when he got to Buffalo, and he took Dahlin out on the town/to dinner this offseason as well. Eichel seems to have really matured and is hopefully becoming the leader that this team needs. You could see it in his interviews near the end of last year. I remember a local buffalo reporter saying (sometime around the last 1/3 of last season) that something had changed in Eichel. Like he had an epiphany or something - that he had to be the one to step up and lead and he could not allow this (type of season) to happen again. 1
26CornerBlitz Posted August 27, 2018 Author Posted August 27, 2018 (edited) Sabres' Ristolainen is enthusiatic about this season Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) - When Rasmus Ristolainen left in April, he was mad, he was frustrated and he was tired of losing. During the summer, he said he worked out a lot and spent time with family and friends. Ristolainen has spent his first few days on the ice at HarborCenter after getting back from Finland. He said he can’t wait for the season, “I’m really excited, especially after a tough year like we had. Guys feel really excited about this year and me too. “Everybody knows we needed some changes, some fresh blood here and I like the moves we made.“ 8-27: Rasmus Ristolainen (5:44) Edited August 27, 2018 by 26CornerBlitz 1
26CornerBlitz Posted August 28, 2018 Author Posted August 28, 2018 Casey Mittelstadt ready to put down roots with Buffalo Sabres - Sportsnet.ca TORONTO — Casey Mittelstadt is looking forward to finally setting up shop in one place for an extended period of time.If things go well for the Buffalo Sabres prospect, it could very well be as the franchise’s second-line centre on opening night. Since the beginning of the 2015-16 season, Mittelstadt has crisscrossed the hockey landscape, playing with no fewer than nine teams at various levels and age groups. Over the last two campaigns, he’s suited up in high school hockey, the USHL, the NCAA at the University of Minnesota and at the world junior championship for the United States before wrapping things up with a six-game Sabres stint to close out 2017-18.
26CornerBlitz Posted August 28, 2018 Author Posted August 28, 2018 Puck Drop Preview: 2018-19 Buffalo Sabres - Last Word on Hockey
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted August 28, 2018 Posted August 28, 2018 On 8/23/2018 at 10:48 AM, Alaska Darin said: That is heart breaking. How the NHL and NHLPA abandon these guys is absolutely mortifying. No snark intended, but what SHOULD they do? I'd ask the same about the NFL and NFLPA
plenzmd1 Posted August 28, 2018 Posted August 28, 2018 19 minutes ago, joesixpack said: No snark intended, but what SHOULD they do? I'd ask the same about the NFL and NFLPA According to his account..he asked for help with his mental illness/issues 6 months after being out of the league, and they said no..only for current players. I can see making services like that..therapy, rehab, medical care( including assistance for everyday things when it looks like some brain damage has occurred) for life. I think, and may be wrong, that is standard in the NFL now..and it may be in the NHL now as well..I truly dont know
26CornerBlitz Posted August 28, 2018 Author Posted August 28, 2018 Jack Eichel anxious to start season, excited about revamped Sabres – Buffalo Hockey Beat BUFFALO – More than two weeks before training camp starts, around 20 Sabres – from star center Jack Eichel to rookies preparing for the upcoming prospect tournament – are already skating regularly at HarborCenter. Informal summer skates, of course, are common. Still, having so many guys in town so early – heck, it’s still August – sends a strong message. “It says you want to be here, right?” Eichel said Monday. “It says you want to be around the locker room, be around the young guys that are getting ready for the prospects camp. I think that that’s probably the biggest thing. We want to get back here, we want to get going quickly.”
26CornerBlitz Posted August 28, 2018 Author Posted August 28, 2018 Schedule for first week of camp: Thursday, Sept. 13 Players report for testing and physicals. Closed to public. Media may attend for select player availability, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the press conference room. Friday, Sept. 14 Session one: 9:45 - 10:20 a.m. (New Wave Energy Rink) / 10:25 - 11:15 a.m. (KeyBank Rink) Session two: 11:45 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. (New Wave Energy Rink) / 12:25 - 1:15 p.m. (KeyBank Rink) Saturday, Sept. 15 Session one: 9:45 - 10:20 a.m. (New Wave Energy Rink) / 10:25 - 11:15 a.m. (KeyBank Rink) Session two: 11:45 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. (New Wave Energy Rink) / 12:25 - 1:15 p.m. (KeyBank Rink) Sunday, Sept. 16 Practice: 9:45 - 10:15 a.m. (Both rinks) Scrimmage: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. (KeyBank Rink) 2
BillsFan4 Posted August 29, 2018 Posted August 29, 2018 https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/oreilly-tarasenko-making-stanley-cup-run-blues/ ROR definitely sounds excited, and like he needed a change of scenery (if that wasn’t clear already). I expect him him to be very good for St. Louis this year, just like he was his first year in Buffalo. Its really a shame... I remember during his first year here, talking about how I thought he would be a huge part of any future success Buffalo had. You read about how he stayed after every practice. How the kids were following him around like the pied piper. He performed great on the ice. Then year two, it seemed like everything started to change. He didn’t stay after practice nearly as much. You no longer heads about the young guys following him around. He wasn’t as good on the ice. You started to hear that maybe he and some teammates didn’t get along 100%. Year three continued that trend, with things getting worse and worse. Until we reached the tipping point (at least publicly) with his now infamous year end presser. I wish him well in St. Louis. Though I don’t wish the team too well this season. I want that 1st to be as good as possible. IIRC it’s lottery protected? So I’ll be rooting for a quick 1st round exit this year! lol
BillsFan4 Posted August 29, 2018 Posted August 29, 2018 ? I still get a huge smile on my face and that excited feeling in my stomach every time I watch the video where they turn over that card with the Buffalo Sabres logo on it...
26CornerBlitz Posted August 29, 2018 Author Posted August 29, 2018 Lots of turnover from last season.
BillsFan4 Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 (edited) https://buffalonews.com/2018/08/29/oreilly-on-blues-a-stanley-cup-is-possible/ Quote "Getting to St. Louis helps me perform. If we work, we're going to get rewarded. It's a recharge. It's shifted. All the training this summer, a Stanley Cup is possible. If we come together, we can do it. It's not going to be easy but it's definitely possible." Quote "When I talked about losing the love, I think it was over time, a few periods over the year, you know, that you are in a losing streak and you don’t feel great coming to the rink," he said. "It wasn’t over the whole year. This is the greatest job in the world. It is refreshing to going to St. Louis where that expectation and everyone kind of has that mindset of 'we’re doing this now.' "The pieces are there that if we come together we are going to give ourselves a chance and that is something that is real cool to be a part of. In the back of my mind training there’s excitement there, like, 'I can have a good year and come in strong and make us stronger and help us win.' It is a shifted mindset that obviously is really exciting." Uhh... you could have done that here ROR. Listening to everything ROR has said since the end of the season I can absolutely see why botterill made it a priority to get rid of this guy. It sounds like he had a terrible mindset. This is a guy that was looked at as a leader here. Contrast that to Eichel, who just recently gave an interview and said “if you’re not striving for a cup every year, then what are you playing for?” and I can see where this team could get a big confidence boost getting rid of ROR and turning things over to Eichel. Edited August 30, 2018 by BillsFan4
bbb Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 On 8/28/2018 at 11:35 AM, plenzmd1 said: According to his account..he asked for help with his mental illness/issues 6 months after being out of the league, and they said no..only for current players. I can see making services like that..therapy, rehab, medical care( including assistance for everyday things when it looks like some brain damage has occurred) for life. I think, and may be wrong, that is standard in the NFL now..and it may be in the NHL now as well..I truly dont know I'm not really buying that they said No, and hung the phone up on him.
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