BUFFALO -- The normal excitement of preseason carries a little extra juice for Buffalo forward Thomas Vanek.
The Sabres will begin their schedule with contests in Germany and Finland. Vanek, a native of Austria, predicts his team will be stirring up a buzz with its European tour.
"It's going to be great, not just for myself and my family but for the fans in general," Vanek said after his first practice of the season Saturday morning. "The game has grown so much over there."
Vanek will enjoy the hoopla, but won't rely on the semi-homecoming alone to put any more jump into his game.
"If there is a button like that (to play harder), I think I'd turn it on all the time," he said.
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2011-2012 Season Preview
Sabres Camp: Vanek excited for Europe trip
Saturday, 09.17.2011 / 1:27 PM
By Lindsay Kramer - NHL.com Correspondent / Super Saturday
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