BUFFALO, N.Y. — All eyes at HarborCenter were on the Buffalo Sabres Saturday morning following their first off day of the new season. The team took to the ice to prepare for their Monday matinee against Dallas, after which they’ll head out to the west coast for the remainder of the week.
Head Coach Ralph Krueger said the team has given the green light to rookies Victor Olofsson and Henri Jokiharju to find a more permanent living situation. The message: they’re going to be around for a while.
“They’re both out hunting right now for places to live," Krueger said. "But again the competition in the league doesn’t stop and the pressure on you doesn’t stop to perform.”
“Of course, happy. Really happy," Jokiharju replied when asked about the message. The blue-liner played 43 games on the back end for Chicago last season.
Jokiharju added, “Last year I had some struggles with man-on-man coverage, but I think this year I’m of course a little bit bigger and I think the defensive zone structure is really good. I really like it.”
Jokiharju's defensive partner likes the system too.
“We’re not sitting back, so those reads are a lot easier when you’re just making them and you’re just playing with your hockey IQ, your intuitions," Olofsson said. "I just feel like the game’s easier when you’re not sitting back watching what the other team is going to do. You’re playing your game, so I feel like we’re connected and that’s the main thing.”
Heading into the second full week of the year with 9 out of 10 possible points in their pocket, the team continues to work to establish their new identity and shed the skin of what they’ve been the past few seasons, something Johan Larsson is working to cement.
“For me, it’s just like we’ve got to like learn how to win here and always bring it every day and be more consistent," Larsson said.
The center has taken the second-most draws on the team through the initial five games behind Jack Eichel.
Larsson added, "I just want to try to help the team be like that.”