Training Camp

Just as the Bills are finishing up training camp, the Sabres are about to start their's. They are starting to skate at the Pepsi Center, and we will soon find out if Michael Ryan, Nathan Paestch, Clarke McAurthur, or Marek Zagrapan will make the top squad, as Michael Peca will now not be Buffalo's third line center.

Third Line Center

The longer the Sabres go without any trades or signings, the more likely it is that either Paul Gaustad will be the third line center with Adam Mair centering the 4th line, or that the Sabres will go down to Rochester. The most likely candidates then would be either Clarke McAurthur or Marek Zagrapan. McAurthur would provide a more stable two-way center, having played well last season, while Zagrapan would probably provide more creativity. I would expect that Clarke McArthur will be a center on the Sabres when opening day comes, due to his previous experience.

Mike Weber

The Buffalo Sabres signed Mike Weber to an entry level contract. I really liked Mike Weber when I saw him at the rookie camp this summer. I also remember that he was one of the last people to be left on the team during the preseason last year before going to juniors. Weber seems like a guy who can skate well and move the puck, as well as playing very physically.

Mike Weber

Cammelleri Contract

Too bad this contract hadn't come out earlier or NHL salaries might be less. It is reported that he received a two year contract with a cap hit of around $3.35 million. I was expecting another inflated contract of around $5 million per season. Maybe Derek Roy's contract would have been around 6 years and $20 million, and other contracts might have been less around the NHL as well. Atleast this is good for the game.

We're #1

The Sporting News has rated Buffalo as the number one NHL city. This is amazing considering only a few years ago there were only 8,000 people at home games and the team was in the middle of bankruptcy. But a likable team that ws very good made the Sabres the darling of Buffalo and hockey was now the number one sport since the Bills had been struggling. There were thousands of people standing outside in the rain watching the playoff games, and there are currently approximately 8,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets. The city has been rewarded with a probable outdoor game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This truly shows that they are great, because it is amazing that a small market team would get this type of game. Jersey sales were extremely impressive and television ratings were great as well. Sabres fans even voted 3 starters into the all-star game. I am proud to be a Sabres fan.