Welcome to The Summer Of Sam, Buffalo style.
The Sabres have published their 2014-15 regular season schedule and, and the quest for Connor McDavid is officially on. A crappy month of October will go a long way to putting Buffalo in a pole position to pick either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel next June.
At first blush, the Sabres can easily end the first month of the new season with a 2-9 or 1-10 record.
Seriously.
The effort and work ethic will certainly be put forth by Nolan's youngsters, however, the experience and talent just wont be enough to slay the dragons of the West and East.
The season gets started with a Columbus Day home opener on October 9. I was hoping for a matinee, however puck drop will be at 7pm.
The first month of the season will be a murderous one for the young, re-grouping Sabres as they will face the best of the West early and often. They travel to Chicago on 10/11. Then they face Anaheim twice, as well as bouts with the Stanley Cup champion LA Kings and the San Jose Sharks. Toss in a couple of Boston Bruins street fights and a donnybrook with the Maple Leafs and you get a brutal first month of the season. The Sabres better eat their Wheaties and drink their Red Bull, because they are going to have to play a heavy, aggressive style in the first month of the season.
Looking at this schedule makes me clamor for the Sabres to select Sam Bennett and Leon Draisaitl in next Friday night's first round of the entry draft. Hell, give me Nick Ritchie and Michael Dal Colle, too.
Murray should use this first month schedule to influence his UFA shopping list. Ryan Callahan will fit perfectly in Buffalo. Go get him, Tim. I hope Murray gets to the floor by adding tough, skilled players. Not Ville Leinos.
Tim Murray is going into the draft looking for muscle, skill and tenacity. Ted Nolan will coach up the grit and truculence. Nolan can count on Zemgus Girgensosn, Marcus Foligno, Chris Stewart, and Nic Deslauriers to drag their teammates into the battle. Cody Hodgson, Tyler Ennis, Joel Armia, Mikhail Grigorenko and the rest of the kids will have to play a sandy-skilled style on a consistent basis if they plan on playing top six roles. On the back end, Tyler Myers has to up his physicality quotient, as will Mark Pysyk and Chad Ruhwedel. Jake McCabe, Mike Weber, Nikta Zadorov, and Rasmus Ristolainen are already there in terms of the heavy aspects of play.
With their difficult schedule, their youth movement growing pains, and their goal tending uncertainty, Buffalo may not have to tank in order to get their mitts on McDavid.
Here's a look at the schedule:
October 2014 Date Visitor Home Time (ET)
Thu Oct 9, 2014 Blue Jackets Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Oct 11, 2014 Sabres Blackhawks 8:30 PM Mon Oct 13, 2014 Ducks Sabres 3:00 PM Tue Oct 14, 2014 Sabres Hurricanes 7:00 PM Fri Oct 17, 2014 Panthers Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Oct 18, 2014 Bruins Sabres 7:00 PM Wed Oct 22, 2014 Sabres Ducks 10:30 PM Thu Oct 23, 2014 Sabres Kings 10:30 PM Sat Oct 25, 2014 Sabres Sharks 4:00 PM Tue Oct 28, 2014 Sabres Maple Leafs 7:30 PM Thu Oct 30, 2014 Bruins Sabres 7:00 PM
November 2014 Date Visitor Home Time (ET)
Sat Nov 1, 2014 Sabres Penguins 7:00 PM Sun Nov 2, 2014 Red Wings Sabres 5:00 PM Wed Nov 5, 2014 Canadiens Sabres 7:30 PM Fri Nov 7, 2014 Oilers Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Nov 8, 2014 Penguins Sabres 7:00 PM Tue Nov 11, 2014 Sabres Blues 8:00 PM Thu Nov 13, 2014 Sabres Wild 8:00 PM Sat Nov 15, 2014 Maple Leafs Sabres 7:00 PM Tue Nov 18, 2014 Sharks Sabres 7:00 PM Fri Nov 21, 2014 Rangers Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Nov 22, 2014 Sabres Capitals 7:00 PM Wed Nov 26, 2014 Jets Sabres 7:00 PM Fri Nov 28, 2014 Canadiens Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Nov 29, 2014 Sabres Canadiens 7:00 PM
December 2014 Date Visitor Home Time (ET)
Tue Dec 2, 2014 Lightning Sabres 7:00 PM Thu Dec 4, 2014 Sabres Lightning 7:30 PM Sat Dec 6, 2014 Sabres Panthers 7:00 PM Tue Dec 9, 2014 Kings Sabres 7:00 PM Thu Dec 11, 2014 Flames Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Dec 13, 2014 Panthers Sabres 7:00 PM Tue Dec 16, 2014 Sabres Jets 8:00 PM Sat Dec 20, 2014 Avalanche Sabres 7:00 PM Sun Dec 21, 2014 Sabres Bruins 7:00 PM Tue Dec 23, 2014 Sabres Red Wings 7:30 PM Sat Dec 27, 2014 Islanders Sabres 7:00 PM Mon Dec 29, 2014 Sabres Senators 7:30 PM Wed Dec 31, 2014 Lightning Sabres 6:00 PM
January 2015 Date Visitor Home Time (ET) Fri Jan 2, 2015 Panthers Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Jan 3, 2015 Sabres Rangers 7:00 PM Tue Jan 6, 2015 Sabres Devils 7:00 PM Thu Jan 8, 2015 Sabres Hurricanes 7:00 PM Fri Jan 9, 2015 Sabres Lightning 7:30 PM Tue Jan 13, 2015 Red Wings Sabres 7:00 PM Thu Jan 15, 2015 Wild Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Jan 17, 2015 Flyers Sabres 7:00 PM Sun Jan 18, 2015 Sabres Red Wings 7:30 PM Tue Jan 27, 2015 Sabres Flames 9:00 PM Thu Jan 29, 2015 Sabres Oilers 9:30 PM Fri Jan 30, 2015 Sabres Canucks 10:00 PM
February 2015 Date Visitor Home Time (ET) Tue Feb 3, 2015 Sabres Canadiens 7:30 PM Thu Feb 5, 2015 Blues Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Feb 7, 2015 Stars Sabres 7:00 PM Sun Feb 8, 2015 Islanders Sabres 5:00 PM Tue Feb 10, 2015 Senators Sabres 7:00 PM Sun Feb 15, 2015 Flyers Sabres 7:30 PM Tue Feb 17, 2015 Sabres Devils 7:00 PM Thu Feb 19, 2015 Sabres Flyers 7:00 PM Fri Feb 20, 2015 Senators Sabres 7:00 PM Sun Feb 22, 2015 Predators Sabres 6:00 PM Tue Feb 24, 2015 Sabres Blue Jackets 7:00 PM Thu Feb 26, 2015 Canucks Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Feb 28, 2015 Sabres Panthers 3:00 PM
March 2015 Date Visitor Home Time (ET)
Tue Mar 3, 2015 Sabres Lightning 7:30 PM Fri Mar 6, 2015 Sabres Senators 7:30 PM Sat Mar 7, 2015 Sabres Capitals 7:00 PM Wed Mar 11, 2015 Sabres Maple Leafs 7:00 PM Sat Mar 14, 2015 Rangers Sabres 7:00 PM Mon Mar 16, 2015 Capitals Sabres 7:00 PM Tue Mar 17, 2015 Sabres Bruins 7:00 PM Fri Mar 20, 2015 Devils Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Mar 21, 2015 Sabres Predators 8:00 PM Mon Mar 23, 2015 Sabres Stars 8:30 PM Thu Mar 26, 2015 Coyotes Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Mar 28, 2015 Sabres Avalanche 9:00 PM Mon Mar 30, 2015 Sabres Coyotes 10:00 PM
April 2015
Date Visitor Home Time (ET)
Wed Apr 1, 2015 Maple Leafs Sabres 7:30 PM Fri Apr 3, 2015 Blackhawks Sabres 7:00 PM Sat Apr 4, 2015 Sabres Islanders 7:00 PM Mon Apr 6, 2015 Hurricanes Sabres 7:00 PM Fri Apr 10, 2015 Sabres Blue Jackets 7:00 PM Sat Apr 11, 2015 Penguins Sabres 7:00 PM
***
On Thursday, the NHL announced the official order of the 2014 Entry Draft that will get under way Friday night June 27 in Philadelphia.
For now, the list is intact, however, it is a work in progress and is subject to change at a moment's notice based on trades that likely will happen at the draft.
The Florida Panthers hold the crow's nest view right now, however, their GM Dale Tallon has ben openly shopping the pick for assets in the form of mature, experienced NHLers that he can use to re-invigorate his team with in the present tense.
Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray will most likely be hold onto his second overall pick in order to draft a center, which his club is badly in need of. However, Murray has been aggressively looking for a dance partner who will provide him with another first round pick in this draft. Murray already holds three first rounders in the Connor McDavid. He wants another one, or possible two first rounders for next weekend's draft. Murray is willing to trade second round picks, prospects and established NHLers off his roster in order to achieve his goal of snaring another 2014 first round pick. Murray has made trade proposals to several NHL teams and he is awaiting word back from those clubs that he has targeted. If they are willing to give him a 2014 first rounder, then he'll do the deal. If not, he'll keep working hi contacts via his IPhone.
Edmonton, Calgary, NY Islanders, Vancouver, Carolina, Toronto, Winnipeg are all subject to trade up in round one as well.
1st Round
1. Florida 2. Buffalo 3. Edmonton 4. Calgary 5. NY Islanders 6. Vancouver 7. Carolina 8. Toronto 9. Winnipeg 10. Anaheim (from Ottawa)
11. Nashville
12. Phoenix
13. Washington
14. Dallas
15. Detroit
16. Columbus
17. Philadelphia
18. Minnesota
19. Tampa Bay
20. San Jose
21. St. Louis (conditional to Buffalo)
22. Pittsburgh
23. Colorado
24. Anaheim
25. Boston
26. Montreal
27. Chicago
28. Tampa Bay (from NY Rangers)
29. Los Angeles
30. New Jersey
2nd Round
31. Buffalo
32. Florida
33. St. Louis (from Edmonton)
34. Calgary
35. NY Islanders
36. Vancouver
37. Carolina
38. ANA or CBJ, at ANA's option (from TOR)
39. Buffalo (from Winnipeg via Minnesota)
40. Ottawa
41. New Jersey
42. Nashville
43. Phoenix
44. Washington
45. Dallas
46. Nashville (from Detroit)
47. Columbus
48. Philadelphia
49. Buffalo (from Minnesota; conditional to St. Louis)
50. Tampa Bay
51. San Jose
52. St. Louis
53. San Jose (from Pittsburgh)
54. Calgary (from Colorado)
55. Anaheim
56. Boston (conditional to Philadelphia)
57. NY Islanders (from Montreal)
58. Phoenix (from Chicago)
59. NY Rangers
60. Los Angeles
3rd Round
61. Buffalo (conditional to St. Louis)
62. Chicago (from Florida)
63. Columbus (from Edmonton via LA)
64. Calgary
65. NY Islanders
66. Vancouver
67. Carolina
68. Toronto
69. Winnipeg
70. Ottawa
71. New Jersey
72. Nashville
73. Phoenix
74. Washington
75. Dallas
76. Detroit
77. Columbus
78. NY Islanders (from Philadelphia)
79. Minnesota
80. Tampa Bay
81. San Jose
82. St. Louis
83. Calgary (from Pittsburgh)
84. Colorado
85. Anaheim
86. Boston (conditional to Philadelphia)
87. Montreal
88. Chicago
89. NY Rangers
90. Los Angeles
4th Round
91. Edmonton (from Buffalo via Minnesota)
92. Florida
93. Colorado (from Edmonton via Toronto)
94. Toronto (from Calgary)
95. NY Islanders
96. Carolina (from Vancouver)
97. Carolina
98. Chicago (from Toronto)
99. Winnipeg
100. Ottawa
101. Winnipeg (from New Jersey)
102. Nashville
103. Toronto (from Phoenix)
104. Washington
105. Dallas
106. Detroit
107. Columbus
108. NY Islanders (from Philadelphia)
109. Minnesota
110. St. Louis (from Tampa Bay)
111. Edmonton (from San Jose)
112. Nashville (from St. Louis)
113. Pittsburgh
114. Colorado
115. Dallas (from Anaheim via Washington)
116. Boston
117. Montreal
118. Washington (from Chicago via NY Islanders)
119. NY Rangers
120. Los Angeles
5th Round
121. Buffalo
122. NY Rangers (from Florida)
123. Anaheim (from Edmonton)
124. St. Louis (from Calgary)
125. Montreal (from NY Islanders)
126. Vancouver
127. Carolina
128. Toronto
129. Winnipeg
130. Edmonton (from Ottawa)
131. New Jersey
132. Nashville
133. Phoenix
134. Washington
135. Dallas
136. Detroit
137. Edmonton (from Columbus)
138. Philadelphia
139. Minnesota
140. Tampa Bay
141. Chicago (from San Jose)
142. Tampa Bay (from St. Louis)
143. Florida (from Pittsburgh)
144. Colorado
145. Pittsburgh (from Anaheim)
146. Boston
147. Montreal
148. Chicago
149. San Jose (from NY Rangers)
150. Los Angeles
6th Round
151. Buffalo (conditional to Edmonton)
152. New Jersey (from Florida)
153. Edmonton
154. Dallas (from Calgary)
155. NY Islanders
156. Vancouver
157. Los Angeles (from Carolina)
158. Toronto
159. Winnipeg
160. Minnesota (from Ottawa)
161. New Jersey
162. Nashville
163. Phoenix
164. Washington
165. Dallas
166. Detroit
167. Minnesota (from Columbus via NY Rangers)
168. Philadelphia
169. Minnesota
170. Tampa Bay
171. San Jose
172. St. Louis
173. Pittsburgh
174. Colorado
175. Calgary (from Anaheim)
176. St. Louis (from Boston)
177. Montreal
178. Chicago
179. San Jose (from NY Rangers)
180. Los Angeles
Round 7
181. Buffalo
182. Florida
183. Edmonton
184. Calgary
185. NY Islanders
186. Vancouver
187. Carolina
188. Toronto
189. Winnipeg
190. Ottawa
191. Phoenix (from New Jersey)
192. Washington (from Nashville)
193. Phoenix
194. Washington
195. Dallas
196. Detroit
197. Columbus
198. Philadelphia
199. Minnesota
200. Tampa Bay
201. Detroit (from San Jose)
202. St. Louis
203. Pittsburgh
204. Colorado
205. Anaheim
206. Boston
207. Montreal
208. Chicago
209. Los Angeles (from NY Rangers)
210. Los Angeles