We’re not trying to pile on the Sabres. Honest. But with just two games on the NHL schedule tonight, we’d be remiss to ignore the following accounts of Buffalo’s practice today.
First, from the Olean Times Herald:
At one point, coach Ted Nolan, whose 2-8 team was demolished 4-0 in Toronto on Tuesday, yelled, “Wake the (expletive) up!” Players exchanged words and yelled out in frustration. Captain Brian Gionta banged his stick on the glass and demolished it on the bench.
Nolan said he gives his teams a “10-game grace period” to start to a season.
“You give them a little bit of rope and maybe some will hang themselves,” a sweaty Nolan said. “What we saw the last 10 or so games we saw that. Now’s the time, taking it easy is over now. We got to work. I’ll take full responsibility for that. Maybe I didn’t push them hard enough. But today’s the day we have to start.
More from the Buffalo News:
Nolan put the Sabres through an excruciating 85-minute workout in First Niagara Center. The only thing missing was Herb Brooks’ voice yelling, “Again, again,” as the Sabres skated end-to-end for drills with few breaks.
“I don’t think we’re working and competing hard enough, so that’s what we did today,” alternate captain Matt Moulson said. “He’s a passionate guy. He demands a certain compete and work ethic. I don’t think we’ve given that to him.
“We’ve got to show some kind of emotion out there, so I’m sure he’s trying everything.”
The Sabres play tomorrow against the Boston Bruins, a squad that’s already beaten Buffalo 4-0 this season and won’t be feeling too charitable after last night’s loss to the Wild.
Then again, if there’s one team that could garner “some kind of emotion” from the Sabres, maybe it’s the B’s.
(Not to mention, Boston has its own problems at the moment.)
Related: What they’re saying about the Sabres (and it’s not good)