Rasmus Dahlin stood out during the scrimmage on day 3 of training camp.
By Chad DeDominicis / Diebytheblade.com
On day three of Buffalo Sabres training camp the two groups scrimmaged against each other. This was the first “game-type” action the players participated in during the first three days.
The Sabres will spend the next two days kicking off their preseason schedule. They’ll visit the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight and host the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow night at KeyBank Center.
Team Blue routed Team Gold in a 45 minute running clock scrimmage by the score of 7-1. A few players flashed during the live action. Here are my observations and notes from day three:
Conor Sheary and Zach Bogosian did not participate due to maintenance days according to head coach Phil Housley.
Rasmus Dahlin showed his offensive ability. He scored two goals on similar plays where he accelerated down the slot from his point position.
Lawrence Pilut showed his offensive upside during the scrimmage. The 22-year-old defender had two really nice assists finding players in the slot. He’s going to be an interesting player to watch in the AHL.
I guess you could say Zemgus Girgensons moved up in the lineup today. He played with Rasmus Asplund and Nick Baptiste.
Evan Rodrigues took Sheary’s spot on the left wing with Casey Mittelstadt and Jason Pominville.
Brendan Guhle and Casey Nelson look like a solid third pair for the Sabres. Nelson isn’t flashy, but is solid defensively. Guhle is good in his own end and has that offensive upside.
Alex Nylander made a few mistakes defensively during the scrimmage. One was a turnover at the blue line where he couldn’t get the puck out that resulted in a scoring chance. The second was a poor pass that again lead to a scoring chance against. He needs to be improved in all aspects to make the NHL, not just offensively.
As the days go by, I’m finding less likely that Johan Larsson is going to be on the Sabres opening night roster. Not really noticeable so far in camp and I’m seeing some similar mistakes that were in his game last season.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was assigned to the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL. Newly signed minor-league goaltender Michael Houser will take his place on the training camp roster. Houser has been on the ice getting work in the last two days prior to practice. It’s not a surprise he’s been added.