Teppo's back!!!!

Well the Sabres signed some more defensive depth, which makes the corp even stronger heading into the new season. Thats right Teppo is back for another go at it. After last years heart nightmare. Then the suspension and the fallout from that. The contract hasn't been released. But from Mike Weber thinking he has a chance to Mike Weber finding an apartment in Portland.

So the Defense is now

Toni Lydman
Henrik Tallinder
Jaroslav Spacek
Craig Rivet
Teppo Numminen
Nathan Paetsch
Andrej Sekera
Mike Weber

The fight for 6th and 7th spot should be pretty good between the 3 of Paetsch, Sekera and Weber. And who knows if they bring back Pratt. Then does Sekera and Weber head down to Portland? But I'm feeling better about the Sabres defense. They are now full of veterans. I was rather down on Paetsch last year. He took a step back and was rather terrible in several games. But thats good. He'll work hard in the offseason, and knows he'll be pushed by a couple kids who had tons of playing time at the end of the year. Competition shows true character and gives you the best team possible.

The more interesting tidbit in that article, the Portland Pirates will play a game in february at HSBC, so we can see all the kids play. But who knows at that part that the kids won't be in Buffalo by then, with injuries or disappointing play. But ifs its cheap, I might go to it.

Ps. Its always good to still have Winnipeg Jets in the league. And Teppo is always a Jet to me.

TEPPO!

Well according to John Vogl Teppo is back at practice! That coupled with the fact Kalinin and Tallinder could go by Friday. The Sabres defense is getting rather healthy rather quickly. Which means what happens next? Teppo won't be back very soon, he still has to get into condition and a little game shape. But who sits when the other two come back.

Obviously, Lydman, Campbell, Spacek stay. But what about the other three Pratt, Sekera and Paetsch. One stays in the other two have to sit.

My vote is that Sekera goes back to Rochester, where he belongs and can dominate with Weber and the Sabres can have two very good young defensemen next year, in case Campbell doesn't come back.

I'm sorry but Nathan your time is up in the starting lineup. Your a fine young kid, but we need a Nolan Pratt back there to beat some forwards up. He is also a +2 so not a defensive liability and can play a solid third pair with Kalinin.

So the pairs would be Campbell - Spacek
Tallinder - Lydman
Pratt - Kalinin

But who sits when Teppo gets back? Now thats a good question?