Vanek set to return; Kaleta, Gerbe close

[Sabres244]

The Sabres have returned en masse from the Christmas break, practicing in front of hundreds of fans at the HSBC Arena morning skate. The lines:

Jochen Hecht-Derek Roy-Thomas Vanek

Tim Connolly-Paul Gaustad-Mike Grier

Clarke MacArthur-Tim Kennedy-Jason Pominville

Adam Mair-Matt Ellis-Drew Stafford

Patrick Kaleta and Nathan Gerbe are also skating, but it appears they will miss tonight's game against Ottawa while Vanek returns. More following the post-skate interviews.

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/...Sabres+Edge%29

[Ralph Wiggum]

Hecht on the top line?

Interesting.

[The Toughster]

Stafford demoted

This is the same Stafford many folks wanted to shower with a Roy-esque contract, FWIW.

[pigpen65]

Stafford demoted

This is the same Stafford many folks wanted to shower with a Roy-esque contract, FWIW.

well deserved. Long overdue.

[kritter65]

well deserved. Long overdue.

I can't "thank" you, I just can't. But, you're right.

[stepsukie]

Why not put Vanek with Kennedy and Grier again?

[Sabres244]

Why not put Vanek with Kennedy and Grier again?

Why not change your avatar because I'm sick of looking at kritter when you post.

[kritter65]

Why not change your avatar because I'm sick of looking at kritter when you post.

Hey, 44 is not that old ! You guys act like I'm 60 or something. (Still, that was pretty funny).

[stepsukie]

Why not change your avatar because I'm sick of looking at kritter when you post.

no offense, krit, but kritter doesnt cradle george burns' balls.

[Sabres244]

Thomas Vanek isn't perfect, but he says his abdomen is good enough to play tonight against Ottawa. Lindy Ruff said taking a beating in front of the net isn't the issue for Vanek, the muscle was hurting his skating. Vanek missed three games with the injury. Ruff said Pat Kaleta and Chris Butler are just about ready to return, but coming out of two days of not being on the ice, he wasn't comfortable putting them in. Ruff said Butler is possible for tomorrow in St.Louis. Nathan Gerbe skated with the team for the first time today. He's been nursing a groin problem.

http://www.wgr550.com/Vanek-to-return-tonight/5975334

[slowpokemcgee]

Hey, 44 is not that old ! You guys act like I'm 60 or something. (Still, that was pretty funny).

In terms of message boards, 44 is like 85. The only one I know who is older that you is JLB, so I guess that's what you have to look forward to, you senile old coot.

[kritter65]

In terms of message boards, 44 is like 85. The only one I know who is older that you is JLB, so I guess that's what you have to look forward to, you senile old coot.

I think IndianaSabresFan - or whatever his name is - is like 57 and I believe Sukie is ... 45 ?

But you're right, 44 is like 85 on message boards. If it's any consolation, I started using message boards (acutally, Usenet and newsgroups) in 1998.

[Patrick!]

In terms of message boards, 44 is like 85. The only one I know who is older that you is JLB, so I guess that's what you have to look forward to, you senile old coot.

Have some chips!!!

[MauvaisSang]

No Derek Roy tonight. Hopefully Gerbe/Kaleta are ready.