Beer Hunter

I've often pondered which opposing player I despised the most throughout Sabres history. I always come back to the same guy....Dale Hunter. Somewhat ironic now that I live in the DC area, but this was just a down-right bad guy! His dirty playoff hit on Pierre Turgeon (post-Buffalo as an Islander) has to rank as one of the 10 most spineless acts on the ice of all time. Scratch that...on or off the ice!

Wobbling Weber

I feel for Mike Weber. He seems like a hard working guy who has battled injuries and been more than patient to earn his place on a full time NHL roster. And one pre-season game should not make or break you. However, I'm beginning to think he may not be able to step up to the big-league level. He was atrocious in the preseason last year with constant giveaways and tentative play. He went to the other extreme last night vs the leafs playing over-aggressive and constantly leaving his partner, Andrej Sekera, out to dry. Hope for a major bounce back over the rest of the preseason and that he can reach some level of equilibrium that made him an all star in the AHL.

Turning to another Dman, Dennis Perrson has been a "love him or hate him" prospect by most scouts and pundits. Last night was telling. He simply does not appear to belong on the ice with NHL players. At 22, he should be a lot further along than he showed and I would be surprised if he is given another opportunity to play this preseason.

Overall, lots to like last night about the short-handed Sabres lineup almost beating a lineup filled with NHL-level Leafs. T-minus 10 to opening night!

The Lowly Maple Leaf

Gotta love the QEW rivalry...even in the preseason. I find it hard to believe that anyone from Buffalo can truly detest Toronto. Sure, their fans can be grading at times...but not nearly as much as Boston fan! I've always respected how passionately Toronto fan supports his or her team despite having so little to cheer about in the last decade.

Plus, there are so many great things about the city of Toronto. First and foremost...it's home of greatest indy band EVER - the Lowest of the Low. And is world-class in offering great theatre, restaurants and, of course, the hockey hall of fame.

I saw my first baseball game ever in Toronto at the old Exhibition stadium. This must have had the worst sight lines in the history of entertainment complexes, where every seat faced towards the outfield. But with all the amenities the city offers, Toronto was one of the best quality of life reasons to live in Buffalo.

Zack Attack

Nice start to the "unofficial" season last night. The top 6 played like it (with Luke Adam thrown in the mix) and Zack Kassian looked like he'll give the coaches a tough decision in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to the day of his first shift matching up on opposite wings with Milan Lucic...and that day may be sooner than expected.

Despite all the hand-wringing by fans over the offseason on lack of bold F.A. moves, the Sabres appear to have a wealth of depth at practically every position. Assuming Mark Mancari is currently 5th on the depth chart for RW, it appears he would be the odd man out, again, for getting any consideration for time with the big club should Kassian stick.

It will be very interesting to see what the coaching staff decides to do with LW-C positions on lines if Ennis and Gerbe both make the opening night roster. There are a number of players who can play both - Gaustad, Hecht, McCormick and Ellis - but there's just too many players for too few spots.

I do find the early mix of speed and size on every line compelling...will Ruff stick with that approach when the games begin to count?

Jumpin' on the Ice

Starting my first blog on the day the Sabres play their first preseason game for their historic 40th Anniversary season. Having survived 38 of those years as a loyal fan, I have tepid expectations that this could finally be "the year."

Five early predictions for this season:

• Vanek scores 50+ goals
• Ennis contends for rookie of the year
• Myers contends for the Norris
• Enroth called up to play 10+ games
• Stafford and Gerbe are traded by the deadline

...what say you?