Sabres open training camp

Girgensons called Eichel “a great player” but offered a caveat. “But I’ll be completely watching our (team’s) game”. “I’ve been working on [skating] all year, especially this summer”. Those who have skated with him in recent weeks see the flashes of skill and fully understand they don’t mean he’ll be a star right away.

Ristolainen is coming off his first full National Hockey League season, a year in which he led all Sabres defensemen in games played (78), goals (eight), assists (12) and points (20).

Eichel was among the standout performers last week at the prospects challenge hosted by the Sabres at First Niagara Center. Many have been critical of the coaching staff and the way they prepared the team. He added that the Sabres learned of the injury a few days ago after camp opened.

Murray’s first big move of the offseason was hiring Bylsma, who won the Stanley Cup in 2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, to replace Ted Nolan.

It isn’t all about strategy for Bylsma in Buffalo though.

“In exhibition, I’m just completely focused on our group”, Yeo said.

As the team has gone through some major changes over the past couple of seasons, team chemistry as well as player chemistry has not had much time to develop. It’s not going to be their freshest legs in that game, so I’m not looking at this game as, ‘Oh, we’re going to see something, ‘ or, ‘What is it going to show us?’ So many new faces are on the roster and they all need to be able to work together well enough to succeed. “There’s a lot of stuff that is within the game that we need to improve on”.

Let’s start with No. 1: McDavid was on a line with Taylor Hall and Teddy Purcell to start training camp. “Of course it was the first day, it takes time to know a guy the way he plays and get the click going”, he said.

Evander Kane’s fit, health – Since the Sabres acquired Kane from the Winnipeg Jets in February after he reportedly had personality clashes with teammates, there have been questions as to how well he’ll fit in Buffalo.