For the team's sake, Patrick Kaleta hopes Mike Grier can play for the Buffalo Sabres

tonight. In the likely event he can't, Kaleta is ready to assume Grier's role.

Grier, who injured his groin during Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Edmonton, missed practice

Thursday. He walked around Amherst Pepsi Center with the top of his right leg wrapped and is

doubtful for tonight's visit by the Calgary Flames.

"Mike is a little sore," coach Lindy Ruff said. "We don't anticipate it being too long, but

he could miss a little bit of time. Could. There's still a chance he could play [today], too."

Kaleta replaced Grier as the right winger alongside Tim Kennedy and Jochen Hecht. He would

take the same spot tonight in HSBC Arena.

"Mike's been a great asset to our team, and hopefully he can go," Kaleta said. "If I'm

called up to fill a bigger part, it's an opportunity for me and I'm going to try and do my

best."

Adam Mair, waived earlier in the week, would return to the lineup and skate on Kaleta's

usual line with Paul Gaustad and Matt Ellis.

. . .

Patrick Lalime is healthy, and Jhonas Enroth is back in Portland. Lalime, who missed four

games with a groin injury, has retaken control of the backup goaltending job and will serve as

Ryan Miller's reliever tonight. Enroth has been reassigned to the American Hockey League.

Lalime's groin received an intense conditioning workout. The Sabres played a cross-ice,

three-on-three game for a good portion of practice, with shots coming at a rapid-fire pace.

"I felt good out there. No pain," Lalime said. "Three-on-three, it's not game-like, but

having you moving side-to-side and facing different angles and pushing different ways, it's

pretty good for that."

Ruff said the three-on-three gave the Sabres a chance to prepare for the Flames'

defensemen. Two-thirds of Calgary's blue-liners stand either 6-foot-3 or 6-4.

"They've got a big, physical defense," Ruff said. "It's tough to gain space, tough to buy

time, and part of our practice was getting ready to compete in the small areas. I think it's

going to come down to that. This is a great opportunity for us to make a statement."

. . .

The Sabres are joining with the Food Bank of Western New York for a food drive during all

November home games. Fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable items or a cash donation to

the arena entry doors.

The Sabres' alumni association is guaranteeing a prize of $10,000 tonight during its in-

game raffle. Tickets are $1 with proceeds supporting the Buffalo Junior Sabres, the alumni

scholarship program and the Sabres' foundation.

. . .

The NHL Players' Association, which has had a flurry of firings and resignations, has

announced the formation of two study groups. The first committee will review the association's

constitution, and Sabres defenseman Steve Montador is one of the four members. He will be

joined by Boston's Tim Thomas, Dallas' Marty Turco and Florida's Dominic Moore.

A second committee, which has yet to be selected, will initiate the search for a new

executive director. Donald Fehr, the outgoing head of the major league baseball union, will

assist both committees.