Ryan Miller featured in new NHL ads

Living in Buffalo, where stars don't usually grab national attention, it's kinda weird seeing hometown athletes being featured in nationwide advertisements. But it seems we have a star on our hands.

Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller is one of a handful of players featured in the new NHL promo campaign, themed "Live Every Shift". Other players featured are Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, Washington's Alexander Ovechkin, Carolina's Eric Staal, Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier and the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes... some guy named Gretzky.

Miller seems to be the guy that the NHL is pushing as the league's best goaltender. Not surprising considering he's everything the NHL could ask for: young, talented, and American.

This kind of marketing push will get him some big publicity when it comes time for all-star voting, which begins soon. Miller was the starter for the Eastern Conference last year, and naturally is a top candidate to make the team this year. Which is exactly what this team needs: a star goalie going into the last year of his contract.

Here are the ads:

Weekend Recap: My hockey team went to Florida and all they got me was four points

The Sabres came in to a back-to-back set with the Panthers and Lightning looking for their first win on the road this season.

They got their first... and second.

FRIDAY: SABRES 4, PANTHERS 2
Paille's lack of hand-eye coordination leads Sabres to win

The Sabres erased an early 1-0 deficit and tied the game at 2 with just over 11 minutes remaining. With about 9 minutes left, a Drew Stafford shot deflected up in the air above the Florida goal. Daniel Paille swung at it with a high stick, and missed it completely, allowing it to drop behind Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun and roll over the goal line. Paille scored a shortie with three minutes left to seal the win.

Defenseman Mike Weber made his NHL debut, and was impressively solid in his 10:16 of ice time. Ales Kotalik and Jochen Hecht also scored for the Sabres.

SATURDAY: SABRES 4, LIGHTNING 3 (OT)
Shane O'Brien pulls McCabe, Sabres in in OT

Buffalo again erased a deficit to come back and eventually earn a victory. After allowing two quick goals early in the second period, the Sabres tied it up before the 2nd intermission on goals by Maxim Afinogenov and Paul Gaustad. After Tampa's Vincent Lecavalier scored to take the lead, Buffalo was able to even the score with just under seven minutes remaining on Nathan Paetsch's first goal of the season.

Tampa appeared to take the lead late in regulation, but a Lecavalier goal was waived off after it was ruled that Martin St. Louis interfered with Ryan Miller.

In the final minute of the extra session, Thomas Vanek sent a pass in front of the net on a rush to a streaking Nathan Paetsch, which deflected off Tampa defenseman Shane O'Brien deflected into his own net, giving the Sabres a win.

The Sabres' next game is Thursday in Boston.

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Buffalo is apparently close to bolstering their defense.

The team has worked out free agent Nolan Pratt, who resides in Tampa, while they've been in Florida. It appears they are close to signing him, according to today's Buffalo News.

The free agent defenseman skated with the Sabres again Saturday morning as part of a twoday tryout, and the visit went well. Though Pratt said nothing is official and General Manager Darcy Regier told The News a decision would be made in the next day or two, the former Lightning defenseman and Tampa resident was being congratulated by his former teammates after Saturday’s game. One person told Pratt, “See you next time,” in reference to the next Buffalo-Tampa matchup.

“I hope I made a good impression,” Pratt said.

The Sabres were only carrying six defensemen on the roster until injuries struck. Jaroslav Spacek is slated to return Thursday, and it appears Dmitri Kalinin will miss at least the next month due to a knee sprain suffered against Carolina last week. Signing Pratt would allow the Sabres to send Andrej Sekera back to Rochester, which may be better for his long term development.

Say a prayer for Patrice Bergeron...

I was hoping that for my first entry as a Backchecking contributor that I would be posting on something Sabres-related, and contribute in some way to the mostly lighthearted fare that Eric (eSabre) has brought to the blog. But with Boston center Patrice Bergeron's injury today, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that we take for granted the fact that these athletes are risking injury every time they step out on the playing surface. For those who haven't heard about it yet, Bergeron was checked into the boards by Philadelphia's Randy Jones. He lost consciousness, and never regained it--he is at Mass General right now undergoing treatment.

(edit: Here's video:)


Here is the latest from the Boston Herald, which says the injury is "potentially grave", as well as a brief from Rotowire, which reports that it is a "potential neck injury". One could only hope and pray that whatever it is, Bergeron will make a quick recovery.

Update: Relatively good news from the Herald, which says that Bergeron suffered a concussion and a broken nose, and has full feeling in all extremities.

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Update #2: From TSN.ca's recap:

Bergeron was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was being treated by Bruins team physician Dr. Bertram Zarins. There was no immediate word on Bergeron's condition but according to NESN, Bergeron suffered a concussion and broken nose. He is conscious and has full use of his extremities.

Seems like he's going to be okay. Jones will get suspended (one would assume). But that's three times a Flyers player has seriously injured a player since the preseason started. Someone wanna tell them to ease up a bit?
-- eSabre

Why the Leafs Suck: Exhibit 4,751

Buffalo sports fans may be familiar with the name John Tavares.

Tavares, pictured at left, is one of the greatest lacrosse players in history. He just happens to play for the Buffalo Bandits. Who, by the way, WILL be playing this winter (THANK GOD).

"JT" is one hell of a lacrosse player. He's got a nephew, of the same name, that also happens to be a hell of a lacrosse player. Funny thing is, he's pretty damn good at hockey.

John Tavares, of the OHL's Oshawa Generals, is the odds-on favorite to be picked #1 overall when he's eligible to be taken in the NHL Draft... in 2009. Tavares just turned 17.

While he's still quite young, Tavares isn't really having problems with competing in the OHL. Little JT is leading the OHL in scoring with 28 points through the first 12 games. Not bad for a 17 year old in a league dominated by young men aged 18-20.

So obviously, there's some anticipation towards his draft year, because this kid is going to be a Crosby/Ovechkin-type franchise player.

The Leafs, who hopefully won't have that pick, have decided that waiting isn't in their best interest. So they're trying to sign him to their AHL team.

A source said Ferguson believes Tavares could play for the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League, which operates as the farm system for the NHL. The AHL bylaw for player eligibility matches the NHL's. Only players who turn 18 by Sept. 15 are allowed to play in the AHL that season, which means Tavares would not be eligible to play until the 2009-10 season, the same year he becomes eligible for the NHL draft.

An exemption could be granted by the AHL but league president Dave Andrews said today that is unlikely.

"That would require an amendment of the bylaw in question, which requires a vote of our board [of governors]," Andrews said. "In my experience, the likelihood of the other 28 teams in the AHL voting in favour of allowing the other team a competitive advantage is not great."

So the Leafs want to circumvent the system to get him to play for their farm team. That's nice. What about the team that drafts him?

The guys in Toronto have that figured out:

The source said Ferguson told Tavares's agents that by signing with the Marlies he can play at home — he is a native of nearby Oakville, Ont. — and at a higher level than junior hockey. And if he wants to play for the Leafs, Tavares could refuse to sign for the NHL team that drafts him in 2009, either forcing the team to trade his rights to the Leafs or waiting until he becomes a free agent in 2011.

If you want him that bad, just suck bad enough to get the pick. It's not that hard. Ask Washington. Or Pittsburgh. But to try the "everyone from Ontario wants to play for the Leafs" angle is pathetic.

Well, you know, as the saying goes... karma's a bitch.

I HAZ BIN ABSENT.

Sorry for the lack of updates guys. Some certain staff members (me) have been too busy with school to post regularly, if at all.

I'm gonna try to get back on the horse, but in lieu of a heartfelt apology, here are some ROFLLES...

Sabres @ Islanders, Part 2: Electric Boogaloo: LIVE BLOG/OPEN THREAD

Well, looks like I'm sitting around watching the game tonight. So, as I usually say, "Why not?", I'm live blogging the game.

So, feel free to comment, give your thoughts, whatever.

Away we go:

FIRST PERIOD

7:15: Puck drops. We're underway. Same lineup as last night.

7:19: First penalty of the game. Vasicek for holding. Let's see the powerplay do something.

7:20: Connolly has a great chance and hits Gaustad with a shot. The Isles block enough shots as it is.

7:22: The thing that's been killing me about this team through 3 and a quarter periods of hockey, is that they are great in transition until they get into the offensive zone. They can turn around and push it up ice like nobody's business. But it seems like they panic with the puck once they cross the blue line. Too much passing. Not enough shooting.

7:27: Hecht can't reach a pass standing in front of an open net. This team seems to need some work on finishing.

7:28: We have a scrum... don't know why.

7:29: Looks like Comrie threw an elbow at Lydman, and Lydman took him out. Mike Comrie is such a bitch.

7:31: The powerplay looks pathetic. Who said they were gonna be hurt by the loss of Briere and Drury? The powerplay still sucks!

7:34: The Islanders, knowing this, begin running around taking stupid penalties. Sillinger might get two different penalties on that play.

7:35: We were biting this morning. We were biting this morning.

7:36: Sabres have a one man advantage.

7:38: JAROSLAV SPACEK with a rocket one timer. Maybe deflected by Gaustad. What the hell has gotten into him?

GOAL - BUF Jaroslav Spacek 2 (Campbell) (PP) 13:09

7:40: Paille takes a hooking penalty. The PK needs to step up here. They were atrocious last night.

7:44: Sometimes I wonder how Michael Ryan made the team. By the way, Miller looks sharp tonight.

7:48: Sutton hits Stafford after the whistle. This game isn't far from escalating here. And now Peters is on the ice. Oh boy...

7:49: Peters takes a dumb penalty. Color me shocked. Sabres now need to get to intermission with the lead intact.

7:52: Period over. Sabres up 1-0. Now I gotta catch Coach's Corner.

SECOND PERIOD

8:09: We're underway in the 2nd...

8:12: Sabres kill the penalty, and quickly get the man advantage thanks to the puck-over-glass rule. Let's try to extend the lead here, okay boys?

8:14: Nothing doing.

8:15: Isles tie it up on a laser. 1-1. Campoli gets it.

8:17: Gaustad tries passing on a 2-on-1 and the play dies. SHOOT THE DAMN PUCK, GOOSE!

8:21: Connolly threads a beautiful pass in front of the net to Pominville who can't cash it. Wait, Pominville blew a scoring opportunity? Where have I seen this before? Oh yeah, last night.

8:26: Sutton whacks the stick out of Pominville's hands. Two minutes. Let's see how they'll waste this PP.

8:29: Nothing to show for that PP... and Comrie goes after Spacek. Or they went after each other.

8:31: Comrie's in the box. Sabres back on the PP.

8:33: DiPietro makes a miraculous save by accident. Figures.

8:37: Miller spreads out and stops Miro Satan in all alone. Whether he made the save or Satan just messed up, that's a huge play. And where the hell is the defense?

8:41: Kalinin takes a penalty retaliating to Jon Sim slashing at Miller's pads. Really can't complain, you can't take any shit from other teams.

8:44: Toni Lydman out for the game with an "upper body injury". Wonderful.

8:47: Thomas Vanek blasts one that DiPietro has to snag just before time expires in the period. All tied up 1-1. We'll be back at the start of the period.

THIRD PERIOD

9:04: Both sides full strength to start the third. I can't imagine this will last long.

9:06: Connolly is everywhere. Just ripped one wide of the net. This guy is kinda good. DiPietro gets sick of the Sabres flying around the Islanders zone and covers up.

9:08: Islanders take the lead as Mike Comrie backhands one past Miller as he picks up the puck trailing on a broken play. Weak goal on Miller's part. I'm really starting to dislike that guy.

9:18: The Sabres look like a mess. And Comrie scores again. 3-1. Somebody wanna play some defense?

9:23: I'm trying to put my finger on the problem here, but I don't really see it. Every bounce is going the other way. They can't finish.

9:26: Stafford can't cash a glorious opportunity...

9:27: Roy gets taken down in the slot with a loose puck laying there... This is getting ridiculous. No one is where they need to be.

9:28: Pominville clearly has never attempted a backhanded wraparound.

9:30: JOCHEN HECHT! Hecht outworks Witt from the corner, crashes the net and it bounces past DiPietro. Good work from the captain to cut the lead.

GOAL - BUF Jochen Hecht 1 (Connolly, Pominville) 14:11

9:31: I wish I could review that exchange between RJ and Roby about the Ice Girls.

9:36: Pominville blows another opportunity. DiPietro is playing great. The Sabres are buzzing all over the place and the Islanders just took a penalty.

9:38: The powerplay is really getting some chances and Connolly smokes one off the post. They need to cash one of these. Time is running out...

9:40: The Sabres almost got caught with too many men. They need to sharpen up. Now there's just 1:14 left. Crunch time. Who wants to be the hero tonight?

9:42: Waiting for the faceoff. Miller is on the bench...

9:44: Islanders ice the puck with 7.2 seconds left. Big faceoff. Connolly to take it...

9:45: A scramble for the puck. Pominville can't get a shot on net. Puck to the corner... Game over.

FINAL: ISLANDERS 3, SABRES 2

That's all for tonight folks. I'll add some more thoughts tomorrow.

The Sabres' next game is Thursday when Les Thrash come to HSBC Arena.

Opening Night

The chase begins.

Tonight at approximately 7:37 EST in Buffalo, New York, the puck drops on the 36th season of Sabres Hockey. The memories of Alfredsson scoring in Game 5, July 1st, and every other reminder of last season can be put away tonight. It's a new campaign.

The Sabres will raise two banners prior to the game, commemorating the team's first Northeast Division title since 1997 and the first President's Trophy in franchise history. Pop a tape in the VCR, set up the TiVo, whatever.

No word on lines for tonight yet, but I'll take a stab at it:

Vanek - Roy - Afinogenov
Pominville - Connolly - Stafford
Gaustad - Hecht - Paille
Ryan - Mair - Peters

Odds are Miller will get the start in net. Tonight's only scratch will be Ales Kotalik, still hampered by a strained MCL.

That's about it.

And if you're not gonna be at the game or out watching the game, go ahead and drop by the BSI chat room at game time. Should be a good time.

So, in closing... LET'S GO BUFFALO!

MacArthur and Sekera reassigned

In what could really be considered a surprise move, the Sabres announced today that they have sent forward Clarke MacArthur and defenseman Andrej Sekera to Rochester.

"Just to play," responded head coach Lindy Ruff when asked why the pair were reassigned. "With Rochester's proximity and schedule, it's better that both players are playing."

This leaves the team with 21 roster players, and only 6 defenseman. With forward Ales Kotalik out with an injury, this pretty much solidifies the team's roster for Friday's season opener against the New York Islanders at HSBC Arena:

5 Toni Lydman
6 Jaroslav Spacek
9 Derek Roy
10 Henrik Tallinder
19 Tim Connolly
20 Daniel Paille
21 Drew Stafford
22 Adam Mair
26 Thomas Vanek
28 Paul Gaustad
29 Jason Pominville
30 Ryan Miller
35 Jocelyn Thibault
37 Michael Ryan
38 Nathan Paetsch
45 Dmitri Kalinin
51 Brian Campbell
55 Jochen Hecht
61 Maxim Afinogenov
76 Andrew Peters

Sabres players hit red carpet. Really.

Apparently the NHL, with Esquire magazine, had a "season launch party" tonight in Manhattan.

From the press release:

WHO: Celebrities: Thorsten Kaye of "All My Children"; Bob Woods and Michael Easton of "One Life To Live"; Marcy Rylan, Michelle Ray Smith and Caitlin Van Zandt of "Guiding Light"; Terri Colombino, Ewa da Cruz, Marnie Schulenburg and Marie Wilson of "As the World Turns"; Michael Lombardi of "Rescue Me"; supermodels Natalia Andrade, Carin Coster, Camilla Thorsson and Barbara Berger; plus more to come.

NHL: Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, New York Islanders head coach Ted Nolan, Hockey Hall of Famers Bobby Nystrom and Rod Gilbert, NHL great Willie O’Ree, and a host of players, including Mike Comrie, Rick DiPietro and Bill Guerin of the Islanders; Ryan Miller, Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad of the Buffalo Sabres; and many more.

Special Appearance by The Stanley Cup, the oldest and most revered trophy in all professional sports.

If anyone can clue me in as to who these celebrities actually are, I think we'd all appreciate it.

Here are some pics, from Getty Images:

Derek Roy, Esquire's Kevin O' Malley, and Ryan Miller


Derek Roy and Ryan Miller

I'll keep adding more as they show up. These are just coming off the wire. There's bound to be some gold in here.

Ach Kapitän, Mein Kapitän

The Sabres announced today that forward Jochen Hecht will be the team captain... for October at least.

Head coach Lindy Ruff just disclosed that the captaincy would indeed rotate and that Hecht will be wearing the "C" for at least the opening month of the season.

Ruff said that the players decided to rotate the captaincy as it creates a competition that everyone can strive for.

Hecht becomes just the third player born outside North America to serve as captain, following Alexander Mogilny and Miroslav Satan.

Alternate captains will be named prior to the season opener on Friday.

Kotalik to miss opener

AP reports Ales Kotalik will be out of the lineup for the Sabres' first two games this weekend.

Kotalik "tweaked his knee" at practice last week, and appears to have suffered a MCL strain.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Monday that Kotalik is experiencing pain in his knee and has not been cleared to skate.

"It doesn't look good for playing in the opener or this opening weekend, but I wouldn't project past that of him missing any more games," Ruff said.

Word is Ales may be back in time for next Thursday's game against Atlanta.

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The Sabres assigned three players to Rochester today: forward Marek Zagrapan, forward Mark Mancari and defenseman Michael Funk.

Zagrapan had a goal and an assist in five preseason games. Funk chipped in two assists in two appearances, and Mancari had one assist in four games.

Rochester opens their season Friday against Syracuse.

Sabres add youth: Harry Neale to replace Lorentz

According to a report in the Toronto Star, and now reported by the Buffalo News and WGR 550, Hockey Night in Canada's Harry Neale will replace Jim Lorentz as the play-by-play man on Sabres game broadcasts.

Neale, 70, who lives in the Buffalo area, will join Rick Jeanneret after working for the Maple Leafs since 1986.

The Sabres will also have a fill-in (TBA) for when Neale is absent while he is working games for Hockey Night in Canada. Mike Robitaille is the likely candidate for that role.

The Sabres now appear to have the oldest broadcast team, seen at right, in the NHL.

Lorentz retired recently after 26 years on the job, citing the difficult travel schedule. Rumors continue to make the rounds that this may be Rick Jeanneret's last year behind the mic.