Lockout is Over.....2013 Preseason Talk!

[Woodhouse]

They have Grigorenko jerseys yet?

What about Foligno... is he changing from 82 to 17/71? I forget.

 

[HockeyH3aven]

50% off? Count me in. Although, it's a ploy to get them money already. Suggestions on what to buy? I feel like I have everything I need for going to Sabres games.

I'm not sure exactly what their profit margins look like, but I would imagine they're going to be making little to no money with that kind of discount.

 

[Woodhouse]

Interviews from today: Enroth, Myers and Pardy.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

I'm not sure exactly what their profit margins look like, but I would imagine they're going to be making little to no money with that kind of discount.

Dunno. But they sucked me in last time they did thee 50% thing in there. I'll probably get sucked in again when I attempt to go to the first home game. Always fun getting cool stuff for half off

 

[LaxSabre]

All merchandise at “PensGear” stores will be half off for the first four games. The PensGear store in the main lobby of CONSOL Energy Center and PensGear at SouthSide Works will offer the half-off discount throughout the day on the first four home dates.

LaxSabre: The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team will be holding a ‘Fan Appreciation Sale’ to mark the beginning of training camp and the opening of the 2012-13 season. The sale, which runs for the duration of training camp and ends after the team’s first home game, will offer fans a 50% discount on all merchandise in the Sabres Store at First Niagara Center.

I plan on taking in one of the practices or at very least I'll be at the opener so I'll take advantage of the 50% off deal and get another Sabres jersey and some other merchandise.

In addition, the Penguins will hold a week-long program of contests for fans to win exciting prizes leading up to the home opener. The contests will be held via social media and the team’s website.

$700 of merchandise at PensGear.

LaxSabre: Definiately would love if the Sabres did this. Although whats up with it being $700? $666 (Mario's Number) too devilish? They could have done $710 for Malkin. Maybe Sabres could do what they did with the seating capacity and make it a Sabrebuck card worth $1,970 as the prize. LOL!

A road trip for two to see the Penguins play the Rangers in NYC (airfare, accommodations, tickets)

LaxSabre: Too bad it wasn't a trip to Buffalo - could return the favor and have two Sabres fans go to a game in Pittsburgh. (Well Black could still do it. Even if they don't include a ride on Pegulas plane, they could still do a deal with tickets and accommodations to a game say in Toronto.)

Three autographed jerseys – one each from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury.

LaxSabre - Do three different player jerseys for the first seven games or so - so each player gets his jersey given away once - announce one per period - everyone in attendence that game gets a chance to win it - not just one chance per season ticket holder account like you do at the final game of the season. Do one signed team jersey as well if you need to add a jersey to the mix. Or maybe instead of a jersey do Ruffs tie or Pegulas checkbook or Jeannerets suspenders - LOL!

Training camp sessions at CONSOL Energy Center will be open to the public (free admission).

LaxSabre: The Sabres will probably do this as well. Also theres plans of having a game vs the Americans. How about this idea for admission: you have to donate a couple of can goods and/or a teddy bear. This will help out local people here and also makeup for the fact they couldn't do this over the last month or so like they do every year.

The Penguins will distribute promotional items at each of the first 15 home games. All fans attending the home opener will receive a gold “Great Day For Hockey” t-shirt.

LaxSabre: Wouldn't mind a blue or gold "Great Day For Sabres Hockey" t-shirt to wear under my new Sabres jersey at the home opener. Other free stuff for other games: pom-poms, towels, those painter caps (hopefully a Sabres players scores a hattie that night!) - regular caps would be too expansive give-a-away - posters, team pictures, sabres card set, those bangers etc. I would love puck night but those would have to be given away after the game. LOL!

Sorry this post was long! LOL! Well whatever the Sabres give us the fans, it will just be extra. I'm just glad that I'm a fan/season ticket holder of the Sabres and that we have some hockey to watch! Go Sabres! LaxSabre...

 

[montrealhp]

T.J. Brennan

as it stands...

Vanek-Hodgson-Pommer
Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Leino-Ott-Gerbe
Kaleta-McCormick-Scott
x Ellis

Sekera-Myers
Sulzer-Ehrhoff
Regehr-Leopold
x Weber, Pardy

What about T.J. Brennan? He's having an outstanding year in the AHL....I realize his 2-way contract hurts his chances to make the big club compared to those on 1 way deals. But he seems ready.

 

[jBuds]

What about T.J. Brennan? He's having an outstanding year in the AHL....I realize his 2-way contract hurts his chances to make the big club compared to those on 1 way deals. But he seems ready.

He's having an outstanding year in terms of point production. Hardly the same can be said about his actual defensive zone play

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

He's having an outstanding year in terms of point production. Hardly the same can be said about his actual defensive zone play

He isnt that bad defensively, pair him with regher or sekera and use him on the powerplay and he could really help us

 

[thefifagod]

He isnt that bad defensively, pair him with regher or sekera and use him on the powerplay and he could really help us

And who are we sitting to play Brennan? I'm giving Sulzer a chance with Ehrhoff again and there's no way he's playing over any of our other defensemen. He's pretty bad defensively, if he's playing defensively in Buffalo like he is in Rochester he'd be getting killed. His main strength on the PP is the role that Ehrhoff plays (and is better at than Brennan). Personally, I'd be trying to sell Brennan now for a comparable forward. There are better defensemen on the team now and in the pipeline.

 

[jBuds]

And who are we sitting to play Brennan? I'm giving Sulzer a chance with Ehrhoff again and there's no way he's playing over any of our other defensemen. He's pretty bad defensively, if he's playing defensively in Buffalo like he is in Rochester he'd be getting killed. His main strength on the PP is the role that Ehrhoff plays (and is better at than Brennan). Personally, I'd be trying to sell Brennan now for a comparable forward. There are better defensemen on the team now and in the pipeline.

I think Brennan is the first blatant case of being a casualty to the numbers/depth. I'd certainly look to acquire an asset for him, if possible, before cutting ties and waiving.

 

[SabresFan26]

I think Brennan is the first blatant case of being a casualty to the numbers/depth. I'd certainly look to acquire an asset for him, if possible, before cutting ties and waiving.

Agreed

 

[Nibbler]

Does anyone know what time the Sabres will be practicing on Saturday at the Northtown Center? 10:30am?

 

[Jacob582]

I think they will keep or trade Brennan (not lose him for nothing to waivers).

Sabres will keep 8 D (until a trade), waiving Pardy.

Someone mentioned Ruff talked on WGR this morning that he would dress 7 D with one being a PP specialist. Haven't listened to the clip myself.

 

[Jame]

I think Brennan is the first blatant case of being a casualty to the numbers/depth. I'd certainly look to acquire an asset for him, if possible, before cutting ties and waiving.

We just carry him as the #8/9 for awhile...

Van-Hodgson-Poms
Foligno-Ennis-Staff
Leino-Hecht-Ott
Scott-Ellis-Kaleta

Sekera-Myers
Sulzer-Ehrhoff
Leo-Regehr
x Weber, Brennan, Pardy

 

[Woodhouse]

Does anyone know what time the Sabres will be practicing on Saturday at the Northtown Center? 10:30am?

Leopold said in his interview this week that they'll be skating until Friday. I don't think they are skating there on Saturday.

I think they will keep or trade Brennan (not lose him for nothing to waivers).

Sabres will keep 8 D (until a trade), waiving Pardy.

Someone mentioned Ruff talked on WGR this morning that he would dress 7 D with one being a PP specialist. Haven't listened to the clip myself.

HERE is the Ruff audio from this morning. When discussing if any pairings are set, all he said was that he was "open" to some different options. He said when looking at the #6 D spot, if your top guys like Ehrhoff are eating big minutes in the 25-26 range, you could dress a specialty PP guy. Also, added that some may make the case for dressing 7 D and do the same with a specialist. Just coach-speak.

 

[FearTheBeard]

Good time to buy a new jersey. Wonder what day the sale/training camp starts.

no kidding, I was already looking forward to purchasing a new jersey this year. Living 2.5 hours away Im gonna miss the sale

 

[Jim Bob]

http://espn.go.com/nhl/preview2012/team/_/name/buf

PLB with a nice little look at the Sabres.

 

[Woodhouse]

Today's audio: Ehrhoff, Miller.

Training camp begins with physicals and on-ice testing this weekend, which is closed to the public. Camp then opens to the public on Mon Jan 14 with FNC gates opening to the public at 4:30PM. The actual practice and scrimmage starts at 5:30PM. The remaining practices run Tue through Fri from 10:30AM to 12:30PM and are also open to the public.

 

[French Connection]

And who are we sitting to play Brennan? I'm giving Sulzer a chance with Ehrhoff again and there's no way he's playing over any of our other defensemen. He's pretty bad defensively, if he's playing defensively in Buffalo like he is in Rochester he'd be getting killed. His main strength on the PP is the role that Ehrhoff plays (and is better at than Brennan). Personally, I'd be trying to sell Brennan now for a comparable forward. There are better defensemen on the team now and in the pipeline.

Who in the pipeline is better? Right now there is not one, so give him the well deserved opportunity.

 

[joshjull]

Who in the pipeline is better? Right now there is not one, so give him the well deserved opportunity.

He has played better than the folks in Rochester but he is not better than any of the returning top 6 dmen. So what opportunity is he getting exactly? To be the 7th dman?

I hope the earlier post mentioning dressing 7 dmen isn't true.

 

[dire wolf]

It's only a matter of time before someone (or 2 or 3) gets injured on the blueline, at which point Brennan will have the opportunity to prove whether or not he can hang defensively at the NHL level.

 

[ZZamboni]

I don't mind Milller as the Sabres goalie. But damn he seems so out of touch when it comes to how the players were viewed by fans during this lockout. Very few fans have honest sympathy for the NHLPA. If anything I feel bad for the fringe 4th liners.

 

[LaxSabre]

Training camp begins with physicals and on-ice testing this weekend, which is closed to the public. Camp then opens to the public on Mon Jan 14 with FNC gates opening to the public at 4:30 PM. The actual practice and scrimmage starts at 5:30 PM. The remaining practices run Tue through Fri from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and are also open to the public.

Thanks for the information! Crud, was hoping the practice/scrimmage (is it against Amerks?) was being played on Wednesday instead. Oh well, I'm off Wednesday and Friday so I'll try to hit one of the practices on those days.

Edit: Just read the press release and its a intersquad scrimmage for Monday night.

"Monday’s night practice will feature an intersquad team scrimmage with the team playing three 15-minute periods. Admission and parking for the event will be free and arena concessions will be available at family-friendly prices."

Not surprise that the Amerks arn't doing the scrimmage - they are busy enough the next week or so with four regular games.

Fans are reminded that the Sabres Store, powered by Reebok, will be holding its Fan Appreciation Sale, which offers fans a 50% discount on all merchandise. The sale begins Monday at 10 a.m. and will last the duration of training and through the team’s first home game of the regular season. In addition to its normal hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Sabres Store will be offering extended hours for Monday’s night practice.

Update: One of my fellow Bandit fans was down at the FNC today picking up some extra tickets for the Bandits home opener at Will-Call and he mentioned that the 50% off all merchandise (Sabres/Bandits etc) deal has already started at the Sabres Store. Great news for Bandit fans attending their home opener on Saturday as they can get their Bandits merchandise including the new jerseys at 50% off then and not have to travel down to the FNC next week. (Great news for me, I can get my new Bandits jersey then, wear it at the game and also get a new Sabres jersey and not have to worry about getting them next week at the practices or have to worry about waiting in long lines at the Sabres store before the Sabres opener should I not be able to attend an open practice.)

 

[Herman Hessian]

is Sabres Store merchandise the same price as from the on-line store ?

may give 'em a call during the sale and see if I can buy over the phone, but it'd be handy to know what the cost of stuff is before putting mah shopping list together

thanks....

 

[5 Minute Major]

Is their a strong possibility that a current Sabre, or two, won't be current Sabres when we wake up tomorrow morning?