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Posted: Thursday, 17 September 2009 1:37PM
No-vechkin against Sabres
(WGR 550) -- When the Sabres take the ice Thursday night in Buffalo (7 p.m., WGR), they won't have to contend with the league's premier goal scorer.
Alexander Ovechkin is absent from the Capitals roster headed for HSBC Arena tonight, thought Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison will make their Washington debuts. Nicklas Backstrom will skate for the Caps, while Alexander Semin is out. Young players Karl Alzner, Tyler Sloan and Oskar Osala.
The Sabres will be without Ryan Miller, with Jhonas Enroth and Patrick Lalime likely to split time between the pipes. Thomas Vanek, Derek Roy, Drew Stafford, Jason Pominville and Paul Gaustad are among the veterans skating, with new pugilist Cody McCormick also suiting up. The center will wear No. 8, while prospects Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis will wear Nos. 57 and 63, respectively.
Two players I spoke with Thursday afternoon were 2009 first-rounder Zack Kassian and veteran blueliner Toni Lydman. Kassian is adjusting to the pro game, and looking forward to seeing his name on a preseason line-up sheet. He's seated next to Mike Grier in the locker room, and has been paying close attention to the work habits of a player he says for which he says he has great respect.
Never one to shy away from contact, Lydman said he's excited to be part of a more physical blue line.
"I think it's kinda where the league is going right now," Lydman said. "We certainly have the skill in here and now we've added, I suppose you could say, 'Muscle,'."
Lydman turns 32 on Sept. 25, and the ninth-year NHLer said he's been impressed by some of the youngsters in camp, namely Ennis, Myers and Kassian. Lydman also issued more recommendations in heavy metal, specifically Danish group and soon-to-be Metallica opening act, Volbeat.
Also skating tonight: Lydman, Mike Weber, Marc Gragnani, Daniel Paille, Mike Kostka, Chris Butler, Matt Ellis, Clarke MacArthur, Nathan Gerbe, Andrej Sekera, Philip Gogulla and Tim Kennedy.
Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier also announced the team has returned the following six players to their respective junior clubs: forwards Luke Adam (Cape Breton, QMJHL), Marcus Foligno (Sudbury, OHL), Zack Kassian (Peterborough, OHL), Jacob Lagace (Chicoutimi, QMJHL); defensemen Nick Crawford (Saginaw, OHL), Brayden McNabb (Kootenay, WHL). This leaves the Sabres with 50 players still in training camp.
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No Miller either. Think they said no Kassian too, but not sure. I was too bummed about Grier to pay attention.
