Sabre Rattling

Wake up, Maggie.  I think I've got something to say to you.  It's (past) late September and I really should be watching hockey.

The boys in blue & gold (okay, cornflower & maize) are taking shape, now pared down to 25 players.  That's two over the limit.  But it doesn't include the wounded Paul Gaustad (thumb) or Adam Mair (knee).

"This is the team we kind of expected it would be," says Ales Kotalik.

Coach Ruff's preseason plan was to evaluate talent from bottom to top.  Lately he's been bleeding off players like a Medieval surgeon.  With few exceptions, he knew what he already had on the main roster.  So motivate the kids and see what your future holds.

The Sabres came into training camp with nearly 60 players and rotated rosters nightly.  The first couple preseason games had half the team travel to Toronto with the other half go to Montreal.  Hell, they had six - SIX! - goaltenders.  Pretty much anyone following the club could tell you it'd end up being Miller & Lalime.  Lo! and behold, it is.

Ditto the 19-man blueline.  The only question there boils down to Paetsch, Weber or Sekera at the No. 7 slot.  Still, it was sure nice to allow the prospects like Gerbe, Kennedy, the Tylers (Ennis and Myers) et al to compete and dream a bit.  Great call up potentials there (except Stretch Myers who needs to gain another 100 lbs in the juniors).

So where does the final ax fall?  Buffalo needs to free up 4 roster spots -- two now, two later. Just remember:  there will be only 7 defensemen.  Here are the names on the bubble:

Forwards

Mathieu Darche (LW) - Career fill-in will be gone to Portland eventually.  Probably on track to player-coach.

Matt Ellis (LW) - So far a younger version of above.  Should play on the big squad as long as Goose and Mair are out.  Do I smell breakout season?

Andrew Peters (LW) - Enforcer and perpetual game night scratch.  On track to be replaced by Kaleta.  I miss Rob Ray.

Patrick Kaleta (RW) - Physicality disproportionate to his size.  Can a team's enforcer be only 5 foot-11 and 195 lbs?

Defense

Dennis Persson (D) - At 20 years old, Buffalo's 1st pick in 2006 will mature in Sweden awhile longer

Nathan Paetsch (D) - A big question mark!  Great 1st year in the bigs, considerably less passion and brains last year.  Would have to clear waivers before going to Portland.

Andrej Sekera (D) - Ruff loves this kid's potential - stick handling and offensive skill.  Call him Kalinin without the baggage.

Mike Weber (D) - Young (20), improving, and expendable.  Good mid-season call up.  Send us a postcard from Maine, kid.

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Parting Shots:  Slightly off topic, but I know you care.  Afinogenov will be Maximum this year.  It's a contract year and his girlfriend is a real champion.  Call it motivation through fear & embarrassment.

IMO this season is make-or-break for Timmy Connolly.  He's already CURSED with a soft melon and brittle knees, now he's starting to get fat.  Which one of his ancestors pissed off the hockey gods so much?  "We grant thee talent, speed and smarts.  But you shall NEVER play!"