Dateline Toronto, where Sabres prospect, Zack Kassian, and 25 other NHL prospects have been chillin in Tronna for the NHLPA's rookie showcase. Its pre-training camp, two-day hockey fiesta. Equal parts work and play.
The players congregate, pose for pix that will be used on Panini and Upper Deck trading cards. The studs will also autograph other merchandise that will be sold during their rookie season.
Joining Kassian are:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado; Blake Geoffrion, Nashville; David Rundblad, Ottawa; Brett Connolly, Tampa Bay; Brendan Smith, Detroit; Jake Allen, St. Louis; Carter Ashton, Tampa Bay; Simon Despres, Pittsburgh; Cody Eakin, Washington; Ryan Ellis, Nashville; Tim Erixon, N.Y. Rangers; Justin Faulk, Carolina; Jake Gardiner and Jussi Rynnas, Toronto; Brandon Gormley, Phoenix; Adam Henrique, New Jersey; Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida; Carl Klingberg, Winnipeg; Marcus Kruger, Chicago; John Moore, Columbus; Greg Nemisz, Calgary; Aaron Palushaj, Montreal; Ryan Strome, N.Y. Islanders; and Mika Zibanejad, Ottawa.
Kassian, Buffalo's first round pick (13th overall) in the 2009 Entry Draft, has been training in Buffalo all Summer long and is committed to earning a Buffalo roster spot with his unique brand of brawn and skills.
I can't wait to see Kassian compete in split squad scrimmages and ex-games in September!
Someone tell the Edmonton Oiler blogger on this site that Drew Stafford ain't goin' anywhere.
The Sabres signed him for four seasons for a reason:
They really want to include him in their future success. Teams don't sign players to 4 year, $16 million contracts just to turn around and trade them. Stafford is a 30+ goal scorer who is just now hitting his stride.
I can assure you that Jarome Iginla has been on Buffalo's radar screen for a while. He's the type of player that Buffalo are looking to add to their talented core-- grizzled vet, point producer with offense still to offer, Playoff experience, international success. Lindy Ruff got an up close and personal look at Iginla at the Vancouver Olympic games.
Iginla may be interested in waiving his NTC for another kick at Lord Stanley's Cup in Buffalo. Doesn't hurt the Sabres that Robyn Regehr is now a Buffalo Sabre. The arrivals of Regehr, Ehrhoff, and Leino into Hockey Heaven surely has sent a message to the NHL that Mr. Pegula is serious about winning multiple Cups in Buffalo in the near future.
I've been told that Pommer ($5.3 million cap hit, next three seasons) and Reggie ($2.75 million cap hit, next four seasons) would be a likely trade package to Calgary for Iginla.
I would not be surprised at all if Buffalo were to trade Ville Leino to Calgary as part of an Iginla trade. Leino's six year, $4.5 million UFA contract came as a shocker to all observers. Perhaps Regier grabbed Leino as a pre-emptive strike, at a value price, when he knew that he Buffalo was not a consideration to land Brad Richards on July 1. Leino is the proverbial "ghost man on first" right now. Regehr and Ehrhoff were introduced at pressers in Buffalo. Why hasn't Leino been introduced to the people of Pegulaville?
Leino cut his teeth in the Detroit organization and western scouts I talk to tell me that they think that he'd fit perfectly into the Calgary model. Doesn't hurt the Flames chances of landing him that Leino has played with Mikka Kirusoff and Olli Jokinen in their native Finland.
Thomas Vanek is the next Sabres captain. He is signed for the next three seasons at $7,142,857. Too big a nut for Jay Feaster to crush.
Ruff is a Warburg, Alberta boy. Iginla hails from St. Albert, Alberta.
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