Buffalo, NY (WGR550) -- The Buffalo Sabres continued to work towards their opening night matchup with the Montreal Canadiens on the ice at HSBC Arena Thursday afternoon. After the practice several of the veteran leaders on the team spoke about the word accountability, and perhaps the over-use of the term the past two seasons.

Goaltender Ryan Miller has noticed the trend and is ready to move on from it, saying "maybe it's time quoting ourselves in articles and just shut up about it and do it." Dwelling on the mistakes and missing opportunities during the game is a by-product of this, in Miller's opinion. He also knows that the only way to judge whether or not the teammates are all on the same page "will be obviously winning games."

Miller is encouraged by several of his teammates reflecting on their own play the past season: "I like the fact that some guys have looked in the mirror over the summer...from my perspective there's been some good talk in the locker room and on the ice" to support one another all throughout training camp and the preseason. The Michigan-native is ready for the season to start and for all of the talking to be over.

One of the players brought in this past off-season to add a veteran voice to the locker room is Mike Grier. The winger was a big part of the team's 2005-06 Eastern Conference finals squad and someone captain Craig Rivet knows from San Jose. Rivet says that what you see is what you get when it comes to the twelve-year veteran, and that "he's a stand-up guy on and off the ice." The blue liner said he spoke with Grier over the off-season and told him where he would fit in with Buffalo and Grier was excited about his role on the team.

Rivet doesn't think it is only the job of the checking line to be physical, but rather the top lines on the team to evolve with the times as, "it seems like the skill players are the ones that are playing tougher and stronger." He thinks the additions of Grier and Steve Montador on defense can show the younger stars how to play a team tough game.

Head coach Lindy Ruff has spoken as well this pre-season about more players in the locker room stepping up into a leadership role. Ruff thinks the team needs to take the same attitude and work on the same page to be successful. That is one aspect of accountability he is looking forward to this coming season. He thinks the new attitude " has shown up in practice...[Wednesday] we were off the charts." Ruff has been careful not to work his team too hard before the opener in two days as well.

Practice notes...forwards Adam Mair and Drew Stafford were on the ice with the team participating in drills. Ruff said he hasn't ruled Stafford out of the opener yet. Toni Lydman missed the on-ice workout again as well.

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