The quick pace carried over into day two of Buffalo Sabres training camp this morning. The groups and lines remained the same for the most part with the inter-squad scrimmage on tap tomorrow morning.
If you watched any Sabres hockey last season, you probably noticed the team struggled with their breakouts and transition offense. Using the word “struggle” may be an understatement.
Today, Housley made that a focus with a few different drills that emphasized breakouts, transition through the neutral zone and back pressure.
More back pressure and transition. Housley said yesterday he wanted that to be a staple of the team this season (back pressure). pic.twitter.com/IxUD65bDlI
— Chad DeDominicis (@CMDeDominicis) September 15, 2018
I was only able to attend for Group B this morning. So, here are my notes and observations from the first two sessions:
Group B:
- Tage Thompson had another good practice. He was particularly noticeable during a one on one drill where he had to use his body and skill to maintain puck possession down low against a defenseman.
- Overall the C.J. Smith, Vladimir Sobotka and Thompson line was the best during the Group B session. They had some good passing plays and seem to have a nice chemistry early on.
- Zemgus Girgensons was placed on a line again with AHL players Kevin Porter and Danny O’Regan. It’s early, but not the best sign for him. /
Group B kicks it off today.
Lines:
Sheary-Mittelstadt-Pominville
Smith-Sobotka-Thompson
Rodrigues-Asplund/Malone-Baptiste
Girgensons-Porter-O’Regan
Beaulieu-Bogosian
Guhle-Nelson
Hickey-Tennyson
Stephens-Borgen— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) September 15, 2018
- Evan Rodrigues had a good day as well. He had a few nice goals, including one where he leaped across the crease to beat Carter Hutton to the far post. He saw a few rushes with Sobotka and Thompson at the end of practice./
Day three begins at 9:45 AM with players practicing on both rinks. The scrimmage will begin at 10:30 AM.