Sabres rearguard Jake McCabe has done what all coaches that he's encountered for his entire hockey life have told him. McCabe is letting his play do all of his talking and his game is screaming that he is a Buffalo Sabre. There's no wobble in his voice when you ask McCabe where he sees himself playing this season. The University of Wisconsin alum believes that he belongs in the NHL.
McCabe is making it extremely difficult for Ted Nolan to look him square in the eyes and tell him that he's heading to Rochester. His play has been exemplary, as has his attitude both on and off the rink. He's the kind of brick you want to rebuild the structure of the Sabres with.
The regular season begins in seven days.
The Sabres cut seven players on Tuesday, and McCabe was not one of them.
Nolan currently has 10 D left in training camp. McCabe is certainly one of the D who has distinguished himself as a keeper. McCabe has impressed with his individual play in the scrimmages and games that he has played thus far. He's also increased value
McCabe said Wednesday that he sees himself as an NHL D-man.
Thanks, Sabres.com
Here are my seven D:
Myers, Gorges, Meszaros, Ristolainen, Benoit, McCabe, Weber.
One assumes that Nolan will be send Tyson Strachan and Drew Bagnall to Rochester by week's end, which would leave eight D left in camp. I also feel that Nikita Zadorov is heading back to OHL London. Zadorov hasn't impressed in his exhibition game performances. He's eligible to return to junior hockey. Mark Pysysk started skating on his own in advance of Wednesday's game day skate and will be a wild card. I'm leaning towards sending him back to Rochester to begin the season. Frankly, I think that Weber is not guaranteed a roser spot right now. Might he have played himsl;ef onto the waiver wire? Weber has two more exhibition games to make a loud statement to Nolan and Murray that he is capable to retrurning to the reliable, steady D that he was two seasons ago. Weber was minus 30 last season. He's be an expensive waiver proposition, however, Tim Murray has resources at his disposal that his NHL counterparts do not have. Murray has Terry Pegula's money and if he wants to bury a contract in Rochester, then so be it.