Sabres taking shape
Players work out before camp’s start
The message is simple nowadays. If a player waits until training camp to start training, he may as well put his hockey skates back in the closet and stay home. He’s got little chance to succeed.
That’s why there were 30 NHL players, prospects and hopefuls on the ice Tuesday in the Amherst Pepsi Center. And after that session of 90-plus minutes was complete, a bunch of them went to HSBC Arena for a stint in the weight room.
Buffalo Sabres training camp officially starts Sept. 19, but don’t let that date fool you. It’s under way now, and it has been for some time.
“You have to keep yourself in shape,” Sabres captain Jason Pominville said. “You have to be ready for camp whether it’s skating here or skating at home. Everybody takes pride in that, and that’s why we’re here earlier.”
Tuesday’s gathering featured a pickup game, and the players already looked good considering the regular season doesn’t start until one month from today. They appeared primed because they’ve been in shape for a while.
A group of Buffalo-based Sabres, including Adam Mair and Patrick Kaleta, spent the summer trekking to the arena for off-ice workouts. They’d gather with strength and conditioning coach Doug McKenney several days a week to get stronger or rehabilitate injuries. Players who weren’t in town made sure they kept up with their local teammates, either visiting their own trainers or following a program McKenney designed for them.
“The important thing is that you arrive in good shape and ready to go,” Pominville said. “We want to win.”
The number of Sabres regulars in attendance Tuesday, a full 10 days before camp, was impressive. Ryan Miller tended one goal. Forwards flying up and down the ice included Maxim Afinogenov, Tim Connolly, Paul Gaustad, Jochen Hecht, Kaleta, Mair, Andrew Peters, Pominville, Derek Roy and Drew Stafford. Jaroslav Spacek, Toni Lydman, Teppo Numminen, Craig Rivet, Nathan Paetsch and Mike Weber helped patrol the blue lines. Youngsters such as Tim Kennedy, Michael Funk and Marek Zagrapan also played in the shinny.
“Camp’s going to be shorter, so you’ve got to start skating earlier than maybe you used to,” Numminen said. “There’s not much practice time to get your timing on your passing in team practices, so it’s nice to have lots of players here to pass the puck and get used to playing in a crowd.”
Training camp will last three weeks. Rookies report to town Friday, and the full squad comes in for physicals Sept. 19. The team’s “Puck Drop 2008” on Sept. 20 celebrates the first on-ice practice, and preseason games start just two days later. Without the early training, players could quickly get overwhelmed by the workouts.
But that’s something they shouldn’t have to worry about.
“You have to get back to it because if you’re not doing it other guys are, and other guys will make you look bad,” Pominville said.
The captain remained hopeful he will have a new contract before the official start of camp. His agent and the Sabres have been talking long-term extensions.
“You never know with that,” Pominville said. “It’s going well until the deal’s done. We’ll have to wait and see. Hopefully it’ll be done before. I’m just leaving [my agent] to do his thing.”
Although the sides would like to reach an agreement, there is no urgency. Pominville is under contract for this season and then becomes a restricted free agent.
