The Buffalo Sabres have opened training camp. Veteran players reported to First Niagara Center for routine testing and physicals early Thursday morning.
The Sabres had a difficult go of it last season as they finished last in the league. Sabres forward Drew Stafford says there are going to be some challenges ahead this season, but the team is definitely prepared.
“As everyone knows last year was a nightmare. There were so many things that went wrong with the way that we were playing, and the way the games were turning up. The losses were just piling up. Things just got worse and worse and worse. A lot of bodies left and a lot of people were changing positions. Thankfully the majority of that is over now and it seems like we’ve got a solid group of coaches that were put together, and a solid group of players,” said Stafford.
Stafford says he’s expecting a lot of improvements from last year. There are some new faces this season. The new defenseman Josh Gorges, acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens says he’s excited to be part of the rebuilding team.
“It’s an opportunity and a challenge this year and I think to be a part of that moving forward and trying to help grow this team, this organization into a winning organization, and into an organization that teams and players want to be a part of. If I can be of that and helping move things forward I think that was another reason why I wanted to come here. It’s a great challenge and I like the challenge,” said Gorges.
Gorges adds that he’s shocked at how nice and genuine people are in Buffalo. Along with Gorges some other new faces this season include veteran Brian Gionta and top draft pick Sam Reinhart. Head Coach Ted Nolan says the team is moving forward from last season.
“The one thing I know as a coach and as a player is to compete and to battle and to work and try to win. So, here with our team we’re concentrated on trying to win as many games as we can and hopefully get into the playoffs and do something there,” said Nolan.
The Buffalo Sabres will play the Washington Capitals in the teams’ first preseason game on Sunday. The first regular season game will take place against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 9th at First Niagara Center.