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Marcus Shouldering The Load

September 22, 2014, 4:47 PM ET [7 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Betcha didn't know that Marcus Foligno played last season with a jacked up shoulder that limited his range of motion, and hampered his physicality. Marcus first injured his shoulder when he played junior for the Sudbury Wolves. Foligno required offseason surgery that took four months to properly heal the shoulder. On Monday, he said that he is ready to test the shoulder during a game.


“I’d like to say I’m stronger than I was before, but you can only really know that until you get into a game situation,” he said. “It feels good to get some bumps out there and starting working with the guys and get physical again.”

Foligno has been skating with Sam Reinhart and Chris Stewart in the early days of training camp. I love the idea of making a knuckle sandwich out of Samson. He will get the luxury of bigger ice with two bombers on his wings.



Foligno lit Pegulaville on fire when he scored 6 goals and 7 assists in his first 14 games in a Sabres sweater in 2012. He scored 5 goals and added 13 assists in 47 games during the lockout shortened season. There were high expectations for the burly winger to take his game to the next level last season, however, we now know why he wasn't able to achieve his personal and team goals. His wing would not allow him to play his trademark rambunctious and physical style.




Marcus knows what side his bread his buttered on. He's a mauler who has to use his size and snarl to bully to the dirty areas in the blue ice where the majority of NHL goals are being scored these days. Foligno couldn't engage opponents in battles while he olkayed through his shoulder injury for the better part of last season.

“If I’m not hitting or finishing checks, it’s noticeable out there. It’s noticeable to the coaching staff and everyone,” he said. “To be healthy again, it’s great and I’m looking forward to going out there and being physical again.”


Thanks, Sabres.com

Foligno has a ton of respect for his new coach Bryan Trottier, whom Foligno's papa Mike battle with during the '80s. The son of a coach who was a former NHLer, Marcus knows the value of listening to legends of the game.

Marcus says shame on you to players who don't listen to a living legend and hockey Hall of Famer.


“You listen to a guy that has seven Stanley Cup rings. If you don’t, you’re stupid,” Foligno said. “He’s got stories upon stories. When you play for that long, you’ve got good stories.”


With a home and home series with the hated Toronto Maple Leafs coming up this weekend, Marcus will have an opportunity to test out his shoulder. And, knuckles, too.


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The Buffalo Sabres will be rolling out the Blue and Gold carpet before the team’s preseason game this Friday night against the despised Toronto Maple Leafs. Puck drop will be at 7pm. The team will walk the Blue & Gold carpet before the game so get there early.


Pre-game festivities will take place in Alumni Plaza, which sits directly outside First Niagara Center, beginning at 5 p.m. Fans will be able to gather in the plaza and enjoy music and non-alcoholic beverages as they watch their favorite players walk the carpet prior to the game




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On Saturday, Sabres D-man Nikita Zadorov said that he would "do whatever its takes" to earn a roster spot in Buffalo during this training camp.

Zadorov doesn't want to be sent back to OHL London. However, his overall game has been lacking in the points production and defensive responsibility department.

On Sunday night in Washington, Zadorov let it all hang out. He must have read the hand writing that was spray painted on the wall.




THIS is a sure way to get the attention of your head coach during a so-so training camp.




Turnabout is fair play, hence, Zadorov's massive hip check on the young, impressionable Latta.
Earlier in the game, Sabres prospect Vaclav Karabacek (2nd round 2014) bought the farm when he was sent flying ass over tea kettle after a hard collision in the Washington zone.

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Early on the Washington game, Zadorov looked tired in the middle of shifts and was seen skating to the bench with his head down many times. He played similarly at Traverse City Prospects Tourney. Over the summer break, Zadorov added muscle to his 6'5" frame. He's now scraping 240 lbs. Hitting isn't a problem for Zadorov. Skatung out of position to go land big hits is his issue. In 23 minutes TOI against Washington, Zadorov had 3 hits and one blocked shot. A decent night at the office, however, not the kind that earns a 20 year old a roster spot and playing time on Ted Nolan's blue line.

If Nikita is going to make the Buffalo roster, he's going to have to continue to play physical, smart hockey in his next five exhibition games. He's also going to have to land his bomb of a point shot on enemy goalies so that the forwards can get tips and second chance rebounds.



One hit does not a roster spot earned make.


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