Practice scuffle could actually be healthy for the Buffalo Sabres

It’s been a difficult start to the 2024-25 season for the Buffalo Sabres, starting with two losses overseas against the New Jersey Devils and now 1-3-0 through their first four games.
Those frustrations continued to boil in practice Monday morning. After captain Rasmus Dahlin took a hit from Peyton Krebs on a drill, Dahlin delivered a low-bridge hit on his teammate soon after.
Here’s the scrum that just went on in practice between Rasmus Dahlin and Peyton Krebs. Looks like they collided at full speed during a drill. Teammates broke it up right away.
The two wound end up fighting, with teammates breaking it up immediately.
Head Coach Lindy Ruff told reporters afterwards that “boys will be boys.”
“Ras got bumped (the drill) before and then evened up the score,” Ruff said. “I wouldn’t read too much into that. We want competitive practices.
Lindy Ruff: "Boys will be boys. Ras got bumped (the drill) before and then evened up the score. I wouldn't read too much into that. We want competitive practices."
A brief scrum between Dahlin and Krebs after the captain attempted an open-ice in practice. Teammates quickly skated over to break it up.
On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff Live, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss the Sabres’ morning scrum and if it could light a fuse under a Buffalo group in desperate need for a spark.
Tyler Yaremchuk: Things are getting spicy out in Buffalo. Earlier today in practice, Rasmus Dahlin threw a big hit, then the two of them are throwing haymakers. What do you make of this?
Frank Seravalli: Tyler, you didn’t have a brother, so this part is lost on you. But me and my brother fought almost every three hours, so when you’re around someone, and your teammates, and you’re competitive, and the team has gotten off to a scuffling start, and things get physical: things just happen.
I would argue that not only is it okay, it’s actually healthy for the Sabres, and they could use a little bit of juice in their practices.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here….
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