His first Buffalo Sabres training camp has been moving along swimmingly and efficiently for Dan Bylsma.
In it's first four exhibition games, Bylsma's high octane offense has been scoring at a 4.25 clip per game while defense has been surrendering only 3.75 goals per game.
The Buffalo blue liners and forwards have been playing with noticeably improved D-zone structure as compared to the 2013-14 and 2014-15 tank-tacular squads. Sabres D coach Terry Murray appears to have gotten total buy-in from his rear guards who are doing a much better job of boxing out and blocking shots. The Buffalo D have been allowing their goalies to see more shots without having obstructed views. The D are moving the pucks up the forwards faster than we have become accustomed to in recent seasons. The redesigned break out by the D is allowing the forwards to catch passes on their tape while they are moving to the attack zone which helps to activate the rush. You don't see Buffalo forwards standing around waiting for pucks these days. Bylsma, Dave Barr and Terry Murray have improved the fluidity and have upped the tempo. It's ben fun to watch in the scrimmages and in the first four exhibition games. The Sabres now have a 3-1 preseason record.
There have been a ton of exceptional performances from his forwards and D. Things have been very positive for the Sabres in the first ten days of training camp.
That is, until today when it was revealed that several key members of the Buffalo blue line are dinged up. How badly? It's not known definitively at this point in time.
Bylsma announced after the morning practice session that three of his best D-men are now hampered by injuries which will force them to sit out the final three games of the exhibition season.
Josh Gorges is nursing a lower body injury. Zach Bogosian is also hobbled by an injury. Jake McCabe is being evaluated for an upper body injury that he suffered this weekend.
Bylsma said that Gorges and Bogosian may not be ready to play in the season debut against Ottawa on Thursday October 8.
Gorges is listed as "week to week" while Bogosian is said to be "possibly week to week".
There is a cause for concern in Buffalo because if the NHL regular season were to begin tonight, Gorges and Bogosian would be Bylsma's number one D pairing. McCabe is battling with Carlo Colaiocovo, Matt Donovan and Chad Ruhwedel for the #6 and #7 roster spot on the Buffalo blue line. Ruhwedel is listed as day to day (lower body) right now.
The silver lining is that Rasmus Ristoalinen made his return to practice today after sitting out the past ten days with an upper body injury.
If I am Tim Murray, I am proceeding with increased urgency and concern. As it stands right now, Ristolainen, Colaiocovo, Donovan, Ruhwedel,Cody Franson, Mark Pysyk, Mike Weber, Jerome Leduc and Bobby Sanguinetti are the nine defensemen remaining in training camp.
Murray has been actively searching for a blue line upgrade since the free agent market opened in July. Knowing Murray, he conducted trade talks with GMs in both conferences over the summer months. I'm certain that he and his scouting director are also pouring over the waiver wire to see if there are any defensemen on it who can add pop and immediate value to the Buffalo blue line.
Murray has trade currency to invest in a new D in the form of forward Johan Larsson. Murray always has quality draft choices to barter with as well.
The Sabres host Toronto on Tuesday night. They travel back to Minneapolis to play the Wild on Thursday. They will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.