Tweaking the roster (and Kotalik's knee)

By Chris

The Buffalo Sabres sent three more players down to Rochester in preparation of Friday's Opener against the New York Islanders.

Forwards Mark Mancari, Marek Zagrapan and defenseman Michael Funk will be all suiting up for the Amerks to start the season.

Adrej Sekera seems to have that seventh defenseman spot locked up with Teppo Numminen out of the line up for the foreseeable future. Practicing with the Sabres will be beneficial to his development, even if it only for a few months.

Also staying up with the big club is winger Clarke MacArthur. "The General" will be filling in for Ales Kotalik, who may miss the opener with a knee injury. The sniper led the Americans in scoring last season with 63 points. Hopefully he'll be able to take full advantage of the limited ice time he'll see.

So we'll probably see this on opening night, judging from Monday's practice:
Vanek-Roy-Afinogenov
Hecht-Connolly-Pominville
Paille-Gaustad-Stafford
MacArthur-Mair-Ryan
Peters

Tallinder-Campbell
Spacek-Lydman
Kalinin-Paetsch
Sekera

Miller
Thibault

Is it Friday yet?