Wednesday Morning

by Anne

I like lists, don't you?

• Injury report: Drew Stafford has a "mild concussion" and Tony Lydman has a hand injury. Stafford may be ready for Saturday but Toni probably will not be.
  

• Does this make room for Myers? He's had a strong, not outstanding, but an improving-each-game kind of camp. Do we give him his 9 game stint? I say: yes. Especially with Toni being out.

• Cody McCormick cleared waivers and was sent to Portland. I am not surprised.

• With Stafford and without Mair, we have twelve forwards, leaving a roster spot for Tim Kennedy, who I feel has had a better camp than Gerbe. Not to say Gerbe didn't have a strong camp, but I'd give Kennedy the edge. They both picked up the pace towards the end of camp and started scoring some goals, much to everyone's relief.

• Leave Kennedy up, definitely, and once Mairsy comes back, we'll see what happens.

• Don't touch my Matty Ellis. :P

• The Florida Panthers AND Chicago Blackhawks lost to European teams on Tuesday. That's the first time an NHL team has lost in like 19 years and two lost on the same day. Well done, boys.
  

• Many are super pumped about the Canucks. As. Am. I. Contender? I'd say definitely more so this year than last. Luongo, Heniel, Danrick, Burrows, Kesler, Ehrhoff, and crew are looking good. The defense looks pretty solid, and the scoring is there, even with Demitra out.
  

• I'm a little less pumped for the Pens. I know pre-season is meaningless, but they had a really bad record in the pre-season.
  

• People are also pumped about the Kings. Ok, "pumped" may be a little strong, let's define pumped as "predicting the Kings might not suck as hard as last year or the year before." Terry Murray is about defense and some of the Kings are... less inclined to be defensively responsible. Some of their +/- from last season is.... paralyzingly bad. Speaking of such things:
  

• The Sunny Hedgehog Enchanters drafted yesterday and after some moves of some ill-advised draftees (who knew they all had such bad +/-?) the roster looks... ok?

• Highlights of the Sunny Hedgehog Enchanters (or SHE) would be three of its four namesakes: Rick Nash (aces) Drew Doughty (ummm....) and Matt Greene (don't judge me). Sadly, Schenner was not available and BabySchenn went back to Brandon. Also on the roster are Nick Lidstrom, Vinny Lecavalier, Dany Heatley, Phil Kessel and Sissy. My team can score, win faceoffs and hit. Goaltending? Ehhh maybe not so much... My trio includes Osgood, Quick and Bryzgalov. I'm not thrilled with that line-up.

• Also, I guess from some form of sentimentality, I drafted FIVE Kings. It's a really good think BabySchenn went back to juniors, I probably would've drafted HIM too. Their combined +/- is so unspeakably bad, I can't even think about it. Greener leads the way (and was #2 on the team last season) with a blistering +1. Yyyyeah, it's not good. Not Brind'amour bad, bad not even Lidstrom can counter-act all that negativity. I'm planning to unload Kopitar as soon as I can bully someone into taking him. Unless he suddenly starts playing defensive hockey, which is highly unlikely. Alas.
  

• I have a lot (like three) more defensemen than everyone else in my league. Should I be concerned about this?

• Can you tell I have NO IDEA what's going on in fantasy hockey?

• Speaking of fantasies... [;)] we're formatting this year's All-Stars of Hottness differently, as there is not All-Star Game. Instead we will be selecting the national teams of the United States and Canada.... and maybe Sweden. But not Russia, they're all too ugly. Remember, this is purely superficial.
  

• Team USA expects to announce their roster around December 30. I can't figure out when Team Canada announces their roster but I'm guessing it's right around then. We'll use December 30 as our date too. Look for that ballot to be posted by Thanksgiving and up for voting until Christmas. Nominations are accepted all the time, so submit some.

• Final roster cuts must be made by today at 3:00pm EST. Eek!
  

Greener's trying to keep his +/- "high" for SHE's sake.
Thank you, Matt Greene.

I Guess That Was Good?

by Anne

The Sabres and Maple Leafs participated in a lovely game of three on three pond hockey last night with piles of snow serving as netminders.


Wait, what's that you say? There WERE?


...I guess what you're all trying to tell me is that the Maple Leafs' "starting" goaltender and the Buffalo Sabres' #1 "back-up" were, in fact, in net las night.

Well, color me surprised.

The final score was a whiplash-inducing 7-6. First it was 2-0 Leafs, then the Sabres rallied to make it 4-3 and never fell behind again.

Vanek scored twice, once on a powerplay tip-in (thank goodness), Kennedy and Gerbe had two points apiece (1+1) each, Ellis scored, Grizz scored and Yo-yo scored. Yeesh. Royzie had three assists.

It was a game rife with emotion [not for the players, for me]. On the one hand, it's totally bad-ass that the Sabres scored seven goals in regulation. However the the "other hand" is sneaking up to tell us all that the Sabres (Patrick Lalime) let in six goals on 27 shots. And yes, some of them were definitely his fault. Some where shoddy coverage by his defenseman, but some of them he definitely should've had. There were so many I can't remember who scored the one I'm thinking of and trying to describe it would be ridiculous.

Kennedy and Gerbe have both really shown up these last two games, at least on the scoresheet. Gerbe only saw a little under 13 minutes of ice time, Kennedy just over 16, but they made their presence known.

The Bills, Steelers, Kings, Pens and Canucks all lost close ones (except the Bills, ok and the Pens too) yesterday. All of my teams were playing yester day and only one of them won. Normally, this would put a person into a bad mood, especially considering the football games really COUNT CUZ ITS THE REGULAR SEASON. However, because the Sabres were the only team that won, I'm ok with yesterday, because of all six teams, they're my over-all favorite.

The Sunny Hedgehog Enchanters draft tonight. Prepare to feel their wrath!

I'm going to draft approximately one legit player and then just use the rest to draft players that make me laugh. We will be the worst band of happy-go-lucky fools in fantasy hockey and it shall be glorious.

Oh yeah, and Pat Kaleta is a good person. Kennedy and Kaleta have yet to royally eff up and be irritating and embarrassing to the city of Buffalo. Hooray! Patty saves his douchebaggery for on the ice, where it belongs.

Good boy, Pat

Pre-season is over!! Time to re-arrange my standings tracker. Woooo!!

Sissy's in the line-up

by Anne

While perusing the Canadiens website, my worst fears were confirmed: Sissy will be suiting up tonight against the Sabres. :(

He's still wearing #6.




I miss mah Sissy.

He's been playing well for the Habs. He has three points (1+2) in the Habs four pre-season games. Tonight's is their last and they're apparently heading to Toronto to hang out and bond. Why Toronto? I'm pretty sure the Maple Leafs fans won't be overjoyed to spot them out and about on Yonge Street.

I don't feel well. I blame Sissy.

I Adore Matt Ellis

by Anne

Earlier this summer I didn't realize how much I adored Matt Ellis until I discovered that there was a possibility that we wouldn't re-sign him.

Now, he appears to be somewhat entrenched in the Sabres line-up, earning praise from Lindy and his teammates.

The fourth line of Paille - Ellis - Kaleta seems like a good one, but once Mair comes back, who's the odd-man out? According to that article above and John Vogl's most recent Sabres Edge post, it seems it would be Pie, unless he can really ramp up his scoring.

I love Pie, but this season is make or break for him. We need to see the kind of numbers he had in 2007 - 2008 if he wants to stay in this line-up.

But, regardless, his fellow Welland native is tearing it up. I noticed at the World's Most Boring Puck Drop Ever when they were doing speed testing that Matty is pretty darn fast, faster than a lot of the top six forwards we have, and as all anyone ever talks about is the speed of the NHL is break-neck (and seriously if one more person asks a rookie that question and we get that answer, I'm going to hurt myself from rolling my eyes too much.)

I love this blingee:

Wooo Matty!

Is it just me or...

by Anne

Does Dany Heatley's NHL 10 persona look like Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone?

Twins.

Wanna Hear about my Wednesday?

by Anne

Wednesday was the Sabres final home game of the pre-season. Cheap tickets, Toronto game, decent weather? Should spell a decent house, right?

Oh how very very wrong you would be if you thought that.

I work up the 300 level. I'm estimating there were maybe 300 people in the ENTIRE 300 level; the upperbowl holds about 6,000 people (I'm totally estimating on that number). Every single vendor was called into work.

The grand total of attendance was officially 11,008. That doesn't even fill the 100s and 200s. Everyone could've fit in the 100 level.

It was a huge waste of time. Our supervisor, who did not make the schedule, came by at the beginning of the second period and told us we could go home. I sold a grand total of: 1 popcorn, 2 cotton candy, 6 pop, 1 peanut and 1 twizzler in about 2 hours. Normally I sell that in the first 20 minutes when people are just starting to show up.

So when I was told to go home I said "Eff that." I changed into my regular clothes and found two empty seats in 117 next to Cari, Kim, Clare and Kelsey whom I just met and I'm not sure if she writes a blog. I enjoyed being a spectator for the 3rd period immensely as its the first time I've sat and watched a Sabres game in person since... March or April of 2008 I think.

Random observation: In the pre-game warm-ups Roy was wearing the C and Pommer was wearing an A. Once the game started, Gaustad was wearing the C, Roy was demoted to an A and Pommer and Yoyo also had As. Did Derek not give it his all in the warm-ups, Lindy? Maybe he spilled gatorade on it? I'm covinced that they're all on by velcro so Lindy can switch leadership as he sees fit.

Who do you think will ultimately wear the letters? Craigory with the C. A's I'm thinking will go to Grier, Gaustad, Pominville and Timmy or Royzie.

John Vogl wrote on the Sabres Edge that the current projected top three lines for the Sabres are:

MacArthur - Connolly - Pominville
Stafford - Roy - Vanek
Hecht - Gaustad - Grier
xxx-xxx-xxx
(I'm thinking those xxxs will be Paille- Mair/Ellis - Kaleta)
(Although is there room for Kennedy or Gerbe?)

I'm feeling our third line. I like that combination a lot. It's lines 1 and 2 that give me pause.

I always have trouble when fans decide they know more than a headcoach when it comes to forming lines, but as we live in a free country, I'm taking leave to speculate.

I wonder about a top line of Vanek - Connolly - Pommer and a second line of Stafford - Roy - MacArthur. Maybe toss Gerbe in as a winger with one of those line combinations down the line... not on October 3rd, I don't think he's ready. I'm not of course guaranteeing that I have any idea what I'm talking about, but it's my blog and I'll speculate if I want to.

The Sabres are ramping up their number of blogs this season. Adam Mair is starting one "Mair's Office." Hey, the sign's there most games. Sabres PR guy Kevin Snow is starting up a fantasy hockey blog he's calling "Livin' the Dream." Of course KSlyv still has his blog, Erin Pollina (who has great fashion sense but really wears completely ridiculous shoes to games, at least she did to the Washington game, she looked like she couldn't walk. But she looked great so who cares? Do I have a girl crush on Erin Pollina? No, I think I'm just glad we've seen less Maria Genero this pre-season) is still writing Beyond the Boards. No sign of Pommer's blog yet but hopefully we will be blessed this season by his choppy sentences and over-simplification of the English language.

We're fast approaching the start of the regular season!! Woooo!

This post needs a picture, let's find one, shall we?

So he's not a Sabre
However, I believe we can all support Shane O'Brien encouraging literacy
Although, maybe not his supporting of the Detroit Tigers
BUT. He SCORED the tying goal in the last minute of regulation on Thursday.
SO'B scored only one goal in the playoffs, none in the regular season and now one in pre-season
Someday he'll have a regular season goal for Vancouver

Happy Birthday, Toni Lydman!

by Anne

Our [new] favorite Finn is turning the big 3-2 today.

Toni, whose only personality quirk seems to be his ability to reconcile his quiet demeanor with a love of heavy metal and hitting things, is another year older.

Keep on, keepin' on, Tone

Remember that month when he was captain? That was weird.

Happy Birthday, Toni!!

These Games STILL Don't Count?/ Anne Succumbs to Fantasy Hockey

by Anne

By some cruel twist of fate, it is STILL pre-season. I'm not sure how but, trust me, it still is.

• The Canucks are 5-0 in the pre-season. On Monday night they jumped to an early 3-0 lead against the Flames only allow four unanswered Flames goals to trail 4-3 late in the third. Here's what happened: 10.2 seconds left - Six attackers for the Canucks. A Mason Raymond goal is disallowed because of an early whistle. Faceoff goes to the neutral zone. Game over, right?

• Daniel Sedin says NO:

He scored the tying goal with 0.2 seconds left
And THEN he scored the winning goal in the shootout



Curtis Glencross scored too.
Big Bear gets all emo with displeasure

• The Sabres sent 14 players to Portland. There were no surprises. Myers, Weber, Kennedy, Gerbe, Gragnani, Enroth all remain in camp.

• Speaking of the Sabres, they'll walk the red carpet tomorrow night before the game against the Maple Leafs where no one will buy anything and I'll have no money to show for my trouble.

• The Kings beat the Islanders in Kansas City on Tuesday night. Wayne Simmonds had a fantastic game. Two goals- one short-handed- and a nifty fight:

Simmer's intense fight-y face is obscured by some Ts
Trust me, it's intense and fight-y

• Sean O'Donnell earned himself a match penalty that will be reviewed by the league. Yeesh O'D.

• The Pens lost to the Maple Leafs. I didn't see much but I did see Gronk tangle with Mike Komisarek and lose. Two blonde giants that I enjoy, Gronk clearly more than Komi. Gronk had a lame-tastic shootout attempt. Eh, its ok. He was wearing an A though. :)

It wasn't pretty


Hi Jay!
I hope you're enjoying your time in Pittsburgh!

• I've joined my first fantasy hockey league. The reason I never joined before was because I couldn't come up with a good name. Problem solved! I decided that I needed someone to create it for me and if I laughed, I'd use it. Most of the team name generators are completely lame. Therefore I decided to go the anagram route and started tossing in combinations of my favorite players names. Behold:

+ + +

Greene+Schenn+Doughty+Nash=

Sunny Hedgehog Enchanters


Fear their wrath.

• I feel strongly that there were way too many pictures in this post.

Sabres Earn Another Win

by Anne

The Sabres beat the Caps to improve to 2-0-1 in the pre-season.

Hooooooray!!

Chris Butler's big shot from the blueline was tipped in, once again, this time by Stafford.

Patty Kaleta was absolutely FLYING out there tonight. He was hitting, blocking shots, nine(!) to be exact, and even scored a goal, just 11 seconds after the first goal by Stafford.

Patty Lalime wasn't really tested too much, he faced 20 shots, stopped 19. The story of the game was defense and penalty killing. The Sabres managed to limit the shot-happy Washington Capitals to just one shot on a five minute major penalty to Goose. Who was FRAMED, btw.

However, there was one huuuuuuge save Patty made. Unfortunately, Weber had a terrrrrrible turnover that handed the puck to Matt Bradley alone in the slot and Patty had to come up absolutely huge to make that save.

Basically, Weber has made a few too many costly mistakes these pre-season and he's going to be heading down to Portland. With competition as high as it is, Doof basically needed to be more than just good, he needed to be fantastic to make this squad. He was not fantastic. To Portland he goes. He is incredibly frustrating and I'm sure he's frustrated as well. He still managed 22 shifts and 20:06 in ice time, in spite of his paralyzingly bad turnover.

Myers and Butler looked pretty good. Sir Christopher looked especially good in his own zone, which is pretty darn important considering that's, ya know, his job.

Why hello, Sir Christopher
Lookin' snappy

Timmy wore the C, Goose and Vanek had the As. Goose wasn't very captainly with his 17 minutes of penalties, including the 5 minute major. He also saw only 9:26 of ice time. Yeesh.

I know its only pre-season, but tonight's game felt good.

He puzzles me
Three shots on goal
No goals yet
Where does he start the season?

Next pre-season game is Wednesday at home against Toronto.

If you're going to the game, I'll see ya there! Tickets are only $20, 50% off for kids 12 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket. Go here. And use the code "tweet" to make all ticket prices either $20 or $15. Its a good deal, use it.

Let's Go Buff-a-lo!

Epic Third Period Win is the New Epic Third Period Collapse

by Anne

Last year the Sabres suffered mightily at their own irresponsibility during the third period. These two pre-season games have been exactly the opposite.

The Sabres have scored a respectable six goals in two games. That sounds fine, but the truth is they scored six goals in two periods: both of the 3rd periods they've played.

They looked absolutely abysmal tonight against the Red Wings... until the third period. Same goes for the other night against the Caps.

Royzie managed to score on the power play, and Vanek scored on a nice little deflection of a Chris Butler shot from the blue line. Goose added the empty netter to seal the deal.

The star of the game was most definitely Miller. The Red Wings were relentless, shooting double digit shots on him in each period. Nice to see that Miller's "dumb" ankle has smartened up. He looked fantastic in his first game of the pre-season.

Denied.

Myers looked just ok tonight. He made a few poor choices, including the ill-advised decision to slide to the ice to block a shot that ended up being just one of several bad Sabres choices that ultimately ended in the Red Wings goal. He saw his 20+ minutes of ice time from the other night drop to just under 17:00 tonight. On the converse, Weber looked better and his hefty number of shifts (28, most on the team) reflected that play.

The Sabres managed to win in the faceoff department with Kennedy, Ellis and Gaustad each winning over 50% of their draws.

If you were to just look at the last two third periods, the Sabres look fantastic. However, games are 60 minutes, not 20 minutes long.

There Were So Many Games Last Night

by Anne

Yet, I care so little about almost all of them.

The only points of note:

• Matt Duchene scored his first (albeit unofficial) NHL goal for the Avs lsat night, but they lost 6-2 to the Blues

• Speaking of the Blues, former King Derek Armstrong scored a goal for the Blues :) I'll miss Army in the Kings line-up but I'm glad he found a home in the NHL

• Filppula scored the Wings first goal of the game, 30 seconds into the 3rd period. The Wings scored 4 goals in the 3rd to down the Rangers 4-3

• The Canucks defeated the Sharks 6-2. The Sedins had three goals. Two for Henrik and one for Daniel. Hooray! I was glad to see Ehrhoff get one in past his former team.

• Phil Kessel was finally traded to the Maple Leafs last night for a bunch of draft picks. I think two first rounders (one in 2010 and one in 2011) and a 2010 2nd rounder. This affects the Sabres almost not at all because the trade was within our division and he's going to a worse team. Oh yeah, and he's hurt. Looky there.

• Sabres play in Detroit tonight.

• Kennedy, Gerbe and Miller who all have strong Detroit ties are all playing tonight. Its because they got Lindy this hat:

It worked

Puck drops at 7:00 at the Joe!

Fantastic Photograph

by Anne

Sabres.com has an article up about Tim Kennedy's big return to Detroit for Saturday's game; Kennedy played college hockey for Michigan State.

The article touches on how Tim became friends with and still keeps in touch with a young girl who suffers from a rare medical disorder, and on his friendship with the Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader who was this close to becoming my Red Wings WCB.

I adore Tim Kennedy, in spite of my mocking of him in the past, which people flipped out on me for. My adoration of him sky rocketed after viewing this photograph:

AMAZING.
That's Abdelkader in the Spartans green
I don't know who the little girl is, I don't think its Katie

Good old Timmy. Making Buffalo proud. It's nice to see some guys from Buffalo doing good and not doing stupid bone headed things, Pat Kane.

Hooray for hockey!

Thursday Night

by Anne

I didn't invest much emotionally into last night's game. Its too bad they lost but, eh. Whatevs. Its just pre-season.

The game went by really really fast, so I didn't get to watch much of it. Normally I get to watch a lot of it by standing in the aisles but without commercial breaks and all that jazz, and very few stoppages in play, the game flew by and I had to keep a-sellin'.

I'm really glad I'm working at the Arena again. I forgot how much I like a lot of the people I work with there.

Some stuff:

• Pie had the hit of the game. He did this:

Pie go boom.

• There was a moment where a player took a puck off his visor. I don't know who because I didn't see it. I only know it happened because it was SO LOUD I heard it up in the 300s. Imagine if that had hit his eyes instead of a visor?! Yikes

• TK's and Grizz's goals were classic examples of two basic hockey principals: #1 Just shoot the puck at the net, you never know what might happen (Grizz) and #2 Get to the front of the net and an opportunity may present itself (Kennedy)

• For the most part Lalime and Enroth both looked decent. Its a shame we probably can't keep Enroth for long. I'm sure he'll back up Miller in a few seasons but if he continues to develop as well as it seems he will, he'll be too good to be a back up in a few years. Oh well. We can still be Facebook friends, right, Jho?

• Royzie was wearing the C. Vanek was wearing an A. I didn't see anyone else. I assume Pommer? Yoyo was not.

• They took two penalties v. Washington's 5 or 6. Unfortunately, they were very untimely penalties as they occurred in the dying seconds of regulation which gave Washington their two man advantage heading into OT. Oh well, its only the pre-season.
  

Vancouver v. Anaheim:

• Big Bear scored!!!! :)x1,000

Wooo!
His goal was the opening and game-winning goal.

Los Angeles at San Jose

• I only listened to this one but both teams traded lots and lots of power play time. I believe the Kings PK was a perfect 8 for 8 while the Sharks PK was a still pretty good 7-8 or 6-7. I don't feel like checking.

• It was 1-0 Sharks until Brownie FINALLY scored on the power play with just 9.5 seconds remaining in regulation.

• Despite the two penalties they took in OT, Jon Quick came up big, and only allowed one shooter to score in the shootout. Unfortunately Greiss did even better and didn't allow anyone to score in the shootout so the Sharks won.

Yer doin' it wrong!

Elsewhere:

• Theo Fleury scored the deciding shootout goal for the Calgary Flames... I still have trouble remembering he's back. Its not that it makes a huge impact on my life, but my brain has become hardwired to read "Fleury" and think "Marc-Andre" not "Theoren" so I keep getting tripped up by this comeback.

• Dion Phaneuf was convicted for the attempted murder of Kyle Okposo in last night's Flames/Islanders game. Okposo was diagnosed with a mild concussion. Seeing someone laying on the ice, head in their hands while goalies and linemates wrestle for his defense is not something you expect to see in the pre-season. Okposo irritates me when he's on Team USA but Phaneuf irritates me all the time, so advantage Okposo. Get better soon.
  

Everything about last night's game from employees to the game itself felt very pre-season. There wasn't the usual amount of nervous energy you feel at most Sabres games. There wasn't as much shouting in the concourse, there wasn't as much beer consumed. But there was still a lot of excitement. Unlike games where the Sabres HAVE to win or they're screwed, people were genuinely happy. Even when they lost, people were ok with it. Everyone seemed just happy that hockey is FINALLY coming back.

I've Missed Him SO MUCH

by Anne

I can't help it, Tim Connolly makes me giggle.

Nice flip flops, bro.

I alternately hate him and adore him.

Its so fantastic.

THERE IS SABRES GAME TONIGHT. YES ITS PRE-SEASON BUT ITS STILL THE BLUE AND GOLD SKATING AGAINST ANOTHER TEAM!!

Wooooooo!!

See you at the Arena tonight!

The Good The Bad and The WTF

by Anne

Additonal roster photos have been released throughout the league. I will not, of course, be posting the 600+ photos that have been released.... OR WILL I?!

No, I won't.

I will, however, post those of my WCBs and Vice-WCBs (maybe) as they are revealed to me.

The Good (sorry about the watermarks):

Big Bear, looking all chizzled and ready to go


SO'B ready to charm his way into a roster spot
Fierce roster photo: check.

The Bad:

Thank goodness there's photoshop
He looks like he's 5'3"
You can see the bottom of the "canvas"
hahahaha

The WTF:

I appreciate growing the hair back
I appreciate the smile
I do NOT appreciate that gross landing strip of facial hair you have on your chin
Please remedy this situation posthaste

The Totally unrelated:

I came across this picture of the Schenn brothers at the draft
I take every oppotunity to see Luke Schenn in a suit
Brayden is not yet old enough for me to ogle him
But give it time.

Ennis Is In & Other Stuff

by Anne

As he mentioned earlier would happen, Darcy Regier has announced that the Sabres have signed last year's other Tyler to an entry-level contract. Lil' Tyler will have a lot of competition for the "little guy" on the team job. Frankly, we already have one full-time and one who will probably make the full-time this year.

That red-headed dude is just as excited as I am

Two other things. The Sabres Media Guide was released today. Its the same old stuff as usual. They've done away with the "favorites" section, but have added their "signature," or autograph, as it would seem. Adam Mair's looks like they forgot to ask him and the PR guy's secretary had to fill in at the last second:

So neat and tidy.

I love the picture the team chose to use for the NHL.com preview tab on the Sabres.com homepage. I'm assuming this is at a critical point in a shoot-out:

I don't think they normally lean this far out during a game
Grizz and Pie are having a serious chat.
Enlarge to see how creepy Matt Ellis looks.
I think he's looking at the jumbotron.

First pre-season game tomorrow!!

Yesss New Roster Photos

by Anne

I absolutely love roster photo day. Who shines? Who smiles with their eyes? Who suffers from that dreaded disease Roster Photo Panic, more commonly known as RPP?

Unfortunately, most of these boys seem to be better prepared for these photos. No one looks like they slept in the car last night, there's the standard "cut by a weed whacker" hockey hair, vacant stares and odd lighting. However, let's check out some high (and low) lights:

Oh Sir Christopher
You could use a trim, but I'll forgive you


Aww Pie's all growed up.
He got himself hitched this summer.
Awwwww.


Awwww, Little Foot always mixes up his photos.
This is tiny because there's no watermark


Felix has a remarkably thick neck
And a remarkably vacant facial expression


Ha.
Hahahha
Jacob Lagace looks like he took a puck to the head, someone pulled a jersey on him and pushed him in the direction of the stool and he almost missed.


The photographer told all the Kings to put their hands on their lap and lean slightly forward
Dewey complied


Greener did too


All the Oilers roster photos look like they were taken in a bathroom


Aww, Matt Duchene's first NHL roster photo

I could not come across rosters for many other teams, so many of my other WCBs don't have roster photos up yet or they're not hilarious or adorable.

Wooooo. Hockey is almost here! Fo' Reals. The Canucks beat the Islanders 2-1 in the Hockeyville game last night. Hooray!

Not Too Shocked

by Anne

Why?


Every. Fucking. Time.

Done.

Let's Go Steelers!

Happy Birthday, Craig Rivet!

by Anne

I resolved that starting this season I would acknowledge all players birthdays aaaaaand, I sort of forgot today was Craigory's birthday.

Sorry Craig! :)

yummm

Your team won the scrimmage today! Hooray! Thanks for convincing Mike Grier to come back! Yay!

Training Camp For Everyone!

by Anne

Its not just training camp for the Buffalo Sabres, its training camp time for all. Huzzah!

Here are some snapshots from my other three favorite teams. The Penguins, Canucks and Kings.

It appears the Penguins were too busy visiting Barack Obama to post any training camp photos. Psh. Lame.

Here's what the Canucks and Kings have to offer so far:

This.... doesn't look safe



S'OB tries not to show his panic over the fact that there are six roster spots and approximately 74 players vying for those six spots



Kes promised Bur a lollipop if he didn't cry when she drew blood.
I hope he made it.



The Kings posed for portraits
Thank goodness he cut his hair.



Jarett Stoll is wary of you sneaking up from behind and hacking him on his newly arthritic wrist.
He doesn't want you to know which one it is...



He blabbed