By Ryan J. Harr
CAMP UNDERWAY
The puck is not scheduled to drop on the 2018-19 season for about another three months, but hockey returned to Buffalo today as more than 40 Sabres prospects, including all six draft picks from last weekend’s NHL Draft, took the ice on Wednesday afternoon for Day One of the organization’s four-day long summer Development Camp.
The camp, now in its seventh straight year and third at HarborCenter, is designed to introduce prospective players to the Sabres’ playing system while providing them with the necessary tools and conditioning programs in order to be successful at hockey’s highest level.
Similar to years past, the roster for the annual camp features a balanced mix of young players, most of whom have been drafted by Buffalo in recent years. Some have already turned pro, others are getting ready to make the jump to the professional ranks and a few will return to their respective college or junior teams in the fall. But the objective for all of them is the same: make an impression on the coaches and front office staff while improving their game.
For many, Wednesday’s two-hour practice session served as an unofficial introduction to the organization. The players were divided up into two groups and were put through a series of drills that emphasized skill development and further exposed them to NHL rules. Most importantly, though, it was an opportunity to acclimate themselves with the Sabres specific style of play and make a positive first impression on those who were watching nearby.
TAYLOR HAPPY WITH DAY ONE EFFORT
Chris Taylor, who is entering his second season behind the bench as Rochester Americans head coach, was pleased with the overall effort after Day One, but like much of the front office staff, wants the players to work hard and evolve their game during the week-long camp.
“The first day is always the hardest on guys,” Taylor said. “The guys had so many things going on prior to going on the ice. From meetings in the morning to getting on the ice, it is not easy because sometimes they try too hard to make an impression. I told them to enjoy the moment, but more importantly to relax and play and not worry about making mistakes. This is a time to learn how to be a professional.”
Taylor was joined on the ice by Amerks assistant coaches Gord Dineen and Toby Petersen, Sabres goaltender coach Andrew Allen, goaltending development coach Seamus Kotyk as well as player development coaches Krys Barch and Adam Mair.
Former Sabres captain and one-time Amerk Brian Gionta was also on the ice assisting the staff.
SABRES SHOWING LEADERSHIP
Despite having only one on-ice session so far, the Amerks coach is impressed with the leadership he has seen from the group early on.
“Last year, I think I had to stop each of the first two sessions twice to get the guys going and understand the drills that we were trying to do. This year, I didn’t have to do that and I attribute it to both my support staff on the ice but also the guys on ice. We have pre-practice meetings before we get on the ice and it showed how much attention to detail they had. It also shows the type of guys we have. They all pushed one another and that is something we need in this organization. By pushing one another it is going to make us that much better. Internal competition makes everyone better.”
Gionta, who last year practiced with the Amerks and played one game in Rochester prior to serving as team captain of the U.S. Olympic team, is assisting Taylor and the other coaches.
“I think guys look up to Gionta,” explained Taylor. “He’s won a Stanley Cup and has played over 1,000 games in the National Hockey League. Last year when he was practicing with us our guys were picking up his practice habits and so far you can see the prospects doing the same now. That is what this camp is about. Sometimes guys get too amped up and try to do too much. Now is the time to ask questions and use the resources they have.”
So why exactly was Gionta on the ice in the first place?
“Brian is unsure what he wants to do yet as far as his career, said Sabres Assistant General Manager Steve Greeley. “He is here serving in an informal-role, but he is such a tremendous guy and an outstanding leader. For us to have him here is such is a no-brainer because of his hockey resume and leadership qualities he brings.
NYLANDER STILL CENTER OF ATTENTION BUT NOT SKATING
As was the case each of the last two years, Alexander Nylander is still very much at the center of attention, however this year is different from the previous two. The Sabres’ first-round selection (8th overall) in 2016 is taking part in his third development camp but is being held off the ice.
“It’s June, not everyone is not 100 percent who are here,” said Greeley. “There is certainly nothing with any of these guys who are being held out that we are terribly concerned with. At this time of year, we want them healthy for September and we want them healthy for training camp. Everything at this point is merely precautionary. Alex is here, working out and doing everything off the ice but isn’t skating.”
At the end of last season on locker clean out day, Nylander stated one of his objectives entering for the summer was to build strength and add more muscle in the hopes of taking his game to the next level.
Despite not taking skating during this week’s camp, Nylander is committed to doing whatever it takes to be in Buffalo permanently. After spending much of his second pro campaign in Rochester, and another successful stint with Team Sweden at the 2018 World Junior Championship, Nylander earned a three-game call-up at the end of last season which culminated in him scoring his first NHL goal.
“One thing we have to remember with Alex is that he is only 20 years old,” said Taylor. “I think sometimes people – myself included – forget that he is only going into his third professional season. Last year he was injured for the first few months of the season and it took him awhile to find his game. That is not easy for any player at any age, especially a 19-year-old who recovered from his first big injury. Alex puts a lot of pressure on himself, so I am excited to continue to watch him grow and mature both on and off the ice.”
AMERKS IN CAMP
Among those in attendance at Development Camp were seven players that suited up for the Amerks last season. They included forwards Eric Cornel, Vasily Glotov, Alexander Nylander, defensemen Will Borgen, Brendan Guhle, Devante Stephens and goaltender Jonas Johansson.
Headlining the list are Nylander and Guhle, who are both coming off productive seasons with the Amerks in 2017-18 and spent part of the season with the Sabres. Guhle paced all Rochester first-year defenseman with a team-best eight goals and 26 points while Nylander (8+19) nearly matched his point total from his rookie season but in 16 less games with the Amerks.
This year’s camp may be the fourth Guhle and third for Nylander but both are looking to make an impression on the Sabres coaching staff and front office and hope to make the Sabres Opening Night roster out of training camp that will take place in September.
“It is definitely different coming to camp as one of the older prospects”, said Guhle. “It’s a lot different because I am being viewed as a leader now since I am older than most guys here. I am embracing the opportunity to show the young guys various things. For the most part, we all share the same goals; make the Sabres Opening Night roster while improving on our skills.
While Guhle and Nylander are looking to make the Sabres roster, Cornel is hoping to show the younger prospects how to be a professional and eager to make his NHL debut with the big club in 2018-19.
“Coming to a camp like this is very important for us Sabres prospects,” said Cornel. “I have been to a few of these summer camps in my career and it’s always a great opportunity for us. We have so many resources available to us and to take advantage of. It’s also a good time for us to meet all the new draft picks and other prospects and for me being a veteran here I look forward to helping them out as much as I can.”
LOOKING AT THE WEEK AHEAD
Days 2 and 3 of Development Camp feature on-ice sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday and 9:15 a.m. Friday before the The French Connection Tournament, an intra-squad three-on-three tournament, which will be highlight the camp on Saturday, June 30 at 10:45 a.m. The on-ice sessions takes place in downtown Buffalo at HarborCenter throughout the week are free and open to the public.