I Will Not Write A Post Examining The Schedule

by Anne

Because its pretty cut and dry.

There's a long road stretch in the later part of the season but we knew that was coming because of the basketball tourney in HSBC Arena. Other than that, we travel fewer miles than last year according to some wacky chart over on On the Forecheck.

Shakespeare has taken over my life and I have neglected hockey. I'm a bad fan.

Its a good thing there's no Shakespeare in the Park during hockey season. My loyalties would be all over the map.

Confession of the day: I'm a terrible blogger and I have so many posts to write but I just don't have the energy.

I'll be back soon, I promise. I can see you're all devastated.

Also, I'm "friends" with so many hockey players on Facebook and its hella boring. All the interesting ones don't accept random friendship requests from total strangers. Psh.

Shedjwool

by Anne

The schedule comes out today!

Hooray!

I'm trying to make this more exciting than it really is!!

There isn't really much about the schedule that isn't to be expected. We know how many times we'll play each team, with the exception of the three at large games.

Mostly I'm looking for who is coming to HSBC Arena and when. Also, MK and I have kicked around the idea of going to Chicago for a game, and I've been thinking about heading to Pittsburgh for a game maybe.

The DRAMA going down in Chicago this off-season has been fantastic and I can't wait to see the fall-out next year when Kaner, Tazer and Keith(er?) are all going to be coming down the Free Agent conveyor belt.

Speaking of Kaner, MK's boyfriend Cory came back from Chicago and brought me a Kane t-shirt. Not being the world's biggest Blackhawks fan, I suppose if I had to choose a 'Hawk to support individually it would be Kaner.

3 1/2 hours til the schedule!

Woooooooooo.

NOTHING IS HAPPENING

by Anne

I REPEAT, NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

This is entertaining though:

I love Mike Weber.

Welcome Aboard, Joe DiPenta...?

by Anne

If one peruses the Sabres roster, one will find that defenseman Joe DiPenta is listed as a Defenseman. I only discovered this when I looked to see this afternoon if The Full Monty had been assigned a number yet. (He hasn't, according to the website).

Anyway, apparently Joey DP has been signed, despite no reports confirming this. I'm not sure what this is supposed to accomplish? Is he an NHL player? He's played a whopping 174 games in the NHL and last season he played in Sweden. Before that, he spent a season largely has a healthy scratch. In spite of that, he was a part of the 2007 Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks team.

He has only 23 points in those 174 games (6+17).

I'm going to assume Joe has signed a two way contract and will be spending some time in Portland, considering his less-than-impressive NHL stats. Honestly, this guy had better not be an alternative for Hank or Teppo. Based on his record, I think I'd still rather have Hank.

That's not to say Joe DiPenta isn't a solid defenseman, but it would seem he's not exactly the answer to any of the Sabres woes.

We let a lot of our minor league defensemen go this off season, including Mikes Funk and Card, along with veteran forward Mathieu Darche and Pirates' captain Tyler Bouck. I'm pretty sure Joe will be expected to be playing in Portland this coming season and provide some defense and some experience.

Nevertheless, Welcome Aboard, Joe. I'd make a "welcome" post, but he has his own website, which you can peruse.

Happy Day!

by Anne

Thoughts on development camp later.

There are more pressing and exciting things to discuss!!

The Sabres have signed my beloved Matt Ellis to a one-year contract!!!

Hoooray!!

I really love Matty's work ethic, his nose to the grindstone style and his often timely and unexpected goal production. Happy things!! One out of two requests for our UFAs isn't so bad.

:)

Hey, now we have twelve forwards on the roster!

Also in other happy funtimes news:

The Penguins have signed Jay McKee to a one year contract! *confetti!*

ETA: Apparently its not officially a signing. Its just an offer. Sigh.

ETAA: Now its official!!

If we can't have Keezer back in Buffalo, I'm happy he's back on one of my favorite teams.

Ohh...
Ummmm...



That's a little better.

Although, in not such happy news, Big Czech Al signed with the Rangers . :/

Boo.

Meh.

So far its been a pretty grand day. Development camp was fun. One more day, then I'm sure I'll offer some completely BRILLIANT insights on the week's events.

Woo!