Alex Nylander is impressive at practice.
By Jourdon LaBarber / Sabres.com
It may not be enough of a platform on its own to earn a player an NHL roster spot, but coaches for the Buffalo Sabres have made it clear to the young players who were on hand for practice on Thursday that this weekend’s Prospects Challenge puts them in an advantageous position.
Particularly for the veterans at camp looking to challenge for a spot in Buffalo this month, the three games they’ll be playing against the top prospects from the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, and Pittsburgh Penguins can serve as a launching pad into the main training camp.
“The biggest thing I think about this tournament is these guys get a head start on everybody else,” Rochester Americans coach Chris Taylor said. “You’re going into camp playing three games, one practice, you’ve got some structure going, you’re getting into a routine.
“The other guys, they’re scrimmaging but it’s not the same. So I think these guys got a head start and they have to realize they’ve got a head start and take advantage of it.”
After meeting with the players on Wednesday and practicing on Thursday, Taylor already developed the sense that his players were excited to get into game action, especially with first impressions to be made on new management and a brand new coaching staff.
Falling in line with what Jason Botterill has said the organization will be looking for in its players – character and work ethic will be valued as much as skill – Taylor said their focus this weekend will be seeing how the prospects compete on the ice.
“Their compete is what we’re looking for,” he said. “Are they willing to go in front of the net to take the goalie’s eyes away? Are they willing to box out in front of the net? Are they willing to get pucks off the walls? How hard are they going to battle? This is a tournament that they’re lucky to be a part of … They should be very excited. They should be ready to battle.”
Justin Bailey and Nicholas Baptiste are two players who will relish that opportunity, both having seen extended stints in the NHL last season as they enter their fifth camp. With their experience comes high expectations to dominate this sort of tournament, both internal and external.
“That’s the plan,” Bailey said. “I think that’s one thing I have to do. My goal is to play in the National Hockey League and there’s not many times when you have the chance to play with guys who are around the same age as you if not younger.
“You want to really show yourself every single shift as a dominant player, and that’s not just scoring goals. For me, I think its asserting myself in the corner, being stronger than guys and strong enough to play with the extra weight that I put on this summer.”
The Sabres will open their Prospects Challenge schedule against New Jersey on Friday at 7 p.m. The Devils roster includes this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Nico Hischier, and reigning Hobey Baker Award winner Will Butcher.