Sabres prepare for time crunch

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - First Niagara Center is about to spring back to life. Sabres president Ted Black and Darcy Regier addressed the media Tuesday, to outline what will happen over the next couple weeks.

"As an organization we are really looking forward to being back on the ice. We really appreciate the patience of our fans," said Black.

As a result of the lockout, the NHL will have a compacted season, which only adds pressure to the coaches and players.

"I think we are essentially going to be playing every other day, one week training camp, no exhibition game," explained Regier. "I think the coaches, the strength and conditioning coaches, the training staff are trying to figure out the best way to approach that."

The roster still needs to be finalized. The Rochester Americans Cody Hodgson, Marcus Foligno and TJ Brennan will be pulled up to the Sabres. The Sabres first-round pick Mikhail Grigorenko will also be in training camp but no decision has been made on his status with the team.

"It will depend on what we see, how it goes, and it will go day by day," Regier said.

The roster is not the only question that is currently unanswered. Players have been playing or practicing all around the world, leaving the organization with little knowledge of their current abilities. Also, the new CBA has new rules that the organization and the players are still learning and incorporating into their daily operations.
Both the players and the Sabres organization expressed sympathy with their fans, who they plan to win back by winning games.