Busy past couple of hours at First Niagara Center.
More about the aftermath and fall out of the Pittsburgh dud on Saturday night.
The lead story at this hour is that Thomas Vanek was held out of practice today.
Lots of speculation fluttered through the air as the team was on the ice.
Lindy Ruff just informed us that Vanek has been nursing an "upper body" injury and that he was given the day off today. When asked about HDTVs status for the Ottawa game, Ruff said that his leading scorer is "probable" to play in Kanata on Tuesday night.
thanks, sabres.com
The injury epidemic has gotten to be a huge concern for Ruff and Regier. Today, he skated Gragnani on a wing in Vanek's place. The coach skated only 11 forwards due to the boidy count in the trainer's room.
Ruff has never seen anything like this injury crisis:
"Well, its dire here. Its probably even worse in Rochester. I've never seen anything like it, really. Hopefully, we can start getting a few bodies back. It looks now like Brad Boyes will be the first one who could get back. Its tough. But, you've got to find ways to win games.".
In other injured forward news:
Tyler Ennis tried to skate today, however, could not finish his session. he's been ruled out for Tuesday night vs. the Senators.
Colin Stuart was seen hobbling through the players' lounge. He's out long term with what appears to be a leg/foot injury.
Ruff says that Pat Kaleta's progress has taken a reversal in the past four or so days. So much so that he will not play in Ottawa. Ruff said that Kaleta could be ready to resume playing by the end of this week.
Jochen Hecht was seen leaving the building with a walking boot on his foot. He's out for the Ottawa game.
Corey Tropp told me that he is feeling better, however, will not be playing this week.
Nathan Gerbe is making steady progress, however, he told me that he is not even skating right now. He'll be a while longer.
Ville Leino is also nursing a foot injury. He's out as well.
The two pieces of good news:
Brad Boyes skated today (non-contact), and Ruff says its likely that Boyes will be the first of the injured forwards to return, possibly next week. Ruff said he thought that Boyes "made out well and that he skated well". Ruff said that maybe Boyes will be ready to resume playing on Thursday night in Toronto.
For the Ottawa game, Ruff says its likely that the team will have to recall two forwards from Rochester. The team flight departs Buffalo for Ottawa at 2pm. Ruff was leaving his presser to sit down with Regier to expedite and activate the call-ups for Tuesday night in Ottawa.
I'm hearing Marcus Foligno and Derek Whitmore.
Foligno has scored 9 goals this season in Rochester and he's played a rugged, hard style of hockey. Marcus, if called upon, will play against his older brother, Nick. Maybe they fight like the Primeau Brothers did. One can only hope. I'll take Marcus in a scrap over Nick.
Whitmore has potted 13 goals and is scoring on a consistent basis.
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The team skated from 11:00am EDT until Noon on Monday.
As the players in the room took the time to speak with media, the goaltenders were not to be seen or heard from. This is rather peculiar in that the team flight is scheduled for 2pm and the team usually leaves the ice together, save the injured guys who sat behind for extra work.
Lindy Ruff's presser came and went and Ryan Miller was nowhere to be found. Enroth was in his stall packing his bag for the roadie, however, Miller was missing. Where was he? Its not like Miller to vanish with walking through the room. I assumed that he was in the cardio room on a bike, or, in the coach's office.
Long about 12:33pm, Miller made his way into the Sabres room. Roughly 30 minutes had passed since his mates had exited the ice, packed their bags, showered, and most of them left the building. Not Miller. He told the few media that waited around that he wanted to get in some extra shooting work, so he stayed after class to get some supplemental work from his teammates. Miller saw a ton of extra rubber, moreso, than his usual practice allotment. Ruff had mentioned in his presser that he and the coaches decided to build shooting drills for today's workout that would double the amount of pucks that Miller and Enroth had to handle. Miller said that he like the extra work. He also liked staying behind with the boys because they played "Showdown", a road hockey staple in my neighbourhood growing up,where the shooter goes in one on one with the goalie. Miller said that he needed to have some fun after the debacle in Da Burgh on Saturday night.
More on Miller's presser shortly. Check back soon...
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I found it both curious and interesting that Sabres Captain, Jason Pominville, and Ryan Miller, had not heard owner Terry Pegula's postgame remarks from the Pittsburgh game.
The owner put a bold-font exclamation point on his team's mess of a game in Pittsburgh. Pegula told the Buffalo News:
"We saw some great goaltending tonight, didn't we?" Sabres owner Terry Pegula said outside the dressing room. "If they think they played well, we've got more problems."
Pominville and Miller both admitted that they had not heard the comments previous to being asked after the practice.
The owner talks about the team and the Captain doesn't hear it?
The owner calls out the goal tending and Miller doesn't hear it?
Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm......
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Drew Stafford strapped on his work boots and his hard hat today. Back to work.
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The Captain:
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Mike Weber
Tip of the bucket to Kevin Snow and Scott Miner of sabres.com
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