It IS Time!

...that was supposed to emulate how Rafiki said "It is time!" in The Lion King. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Anyone, anyone?

Okay, Moving on... SABRES HOCKEY STARTS TONIGHT! YAYAYAYAYAYA!!!! Insightful, amirite? It's the finaaaal countdown. Do do do dooooo, do do do do doooooo.

It's beyond exciting just thinking about the game tonight...the fact that we're going to be watching meaningful hockey again. I'm really looking forward to seeing what our new additons can do for our squad...especially Tyler Myers and Tim Kennedy. I hope Myers sees a lot of playing time, because I'm real anxious to see how fairs in the big league. He tore it up in the juniors last year and a lot of people have agreed that he's developed enough in the juniors and he's ready for the NHL. Only time will tell. It was easier for Lindy Ruff & co to make a decision on whether to keep Myers up or not due to Lydman's hand injury. I'm willing to bet that Myers will get his 9 game tryout and who knows what will happen from there. Will he go down to the juniors or is he going to remain a permanent member of the Sabres? Obviously it all depends on well he plays and how well our other defenseman perform. It's obvious that Tallinder really needs to step it up this season or else he's going to end up being traded...and I'm sure Myers is aware of that. Players are vying for spots and I hope it makes for some fun and exciting hockey.

I'm also extremely looking forward to seeing Grier back with us. He's one of my favorite players and I think everyone remembers how important he was during our great 05-06 run...I think his hard work and attitude will be influential for some of our young guys, and also for some of our not so young guys that still seem to act immature. I'm not naming names but I think we can all agree that certain diving, whining midgets with questionable fashion decisions players on our team really need to grow up...I wouldn't consider us a young team anymore even though we giving some of our young guys a crack at the roster. We've got plenty of players on this team who have seen both the ups and downs of a full NHL season and there's really no excuse for some of our guys to act so immature at times. So that's why I think it's great that Grier is back with us. I think other hard working players like Ellis, Montador, Kaleta, Gaustad, and Rivet to name a few will also be essential pieces to a successful season...

Anyways, I'm about to head off to the Sabres first open practice of the season...should be fun. I went to several of the training camp sessions which I thoroughly enjoyed...I've been there so much that the arena employees are starting to recognize me. Yes, I am a rink rat... I'm sure the practice this morning will be pretty crowded given that it's a Saturday and it's opening night.

Another important tidbit about the upcoming season that I know all of you are dying to know about...I'm pretty sure Miller is going back to his old mask this season. I mentioned it in a previous post that I heard that through the grapevine...and the other day the news showed some footage of the players practicing and Miller was wearing his old mask again and there are pictures from the morning practices showing Ryan sporting his old mask...


Oh hayyy!

He's got some new pads though...what do you think?


Prettaayy neat.

Speaking of our wonky goalie, it warmed my heart to see him being such a hardass full of wisdom about our team again...ohh it's been too long since we've been graced with his insight and sass. Sabres TV has an interview with Ryan up where Miller says how he's sick of talking about "accountability". (I also liked the part when the reporter said a metaphor about robbing a bank and Ryan was like, "What are you talking about...") He says that it's time for the players to just "shut up about it and do it." Couldn't have said it better myself... Well, maybe I can...

Caro sez...
"DROP THE PUCK ALREADY!!!"


My excitement from the Sabres-Leafs preseason game also represents my excitement for the start of the 2009-2010 season.