The play was one example of why Clague has fit in well during his first season with the Sabres.
"The puck possession, using our speed," he said. "Just trying to play with the puck as much as we can and play fast. I think skating is my biggest strength, so I just try to do that."
Clague was one of three defensemen who joined the Sabres on one-year contracts during the opening day of free agency, along with Jeremy Davies and Chase Priskie. Kevyn Adams emphasized his belief that the additions were made with NHL depth in mind.
Clague began the season in Rochester but was recalled to make his Sabres debut in October. He had a second stint with the Amerks that ended on December 9. Since then, he's played 16 NHL games and earned praise from coach Don Granato for his ability to adapt to the Sabres' identity.
He has played each of the first two games to open the Sabres' California road trip. He spun from a defender at the point, carried the puck down low and darted to the slot to complete a give-and-go and draw a hooking penalty in addition to his assist in the win over the Ducks.
"He's worked hard, he keeps himself ready to go and he's played well," Granato said.
The fit in Buffalo has extended beyond the ice. Clague was part of a group, along with Jacob Bryson and Owen Power, who spent a day with students from the Stanley G. Falk School at the Explore & More Children's Museum in January. The former Los Angeles Kings defenseman more recently spent an off day showing another group of teammates around Venice Beach.
Tweet from @BuffaloSabres: Owen Power, Jacob Bryson, and Kale Clague\ got to hang out with our friends from the Stanley G. Falk School at Explore & More today! pic.twitter.com/euqBGkNMaG
"The group of guys, coaches have been great," he said. "It's been such an easy transition. Everyone's treated me really well and welcomed me. … There's just no egos. Everyone's young. We get treated really well here so I think it's easy to be yourself and that translates onto the ice."
Here are more notes from Friday's practice.
1. The Sabres took the ice at the San Jose Sharks' practice facility in preparation for their road trip finale on Saturday. Here's how the group lined up:
| February 17 |
| --- |
| LW | C | RW |
| 53 Jeff Skinner | 72 Tage Thompson | 89 Alex Tuch |
| 77 JJ Peterka | 24 Dylan Cozens | 71 Victor Olofsson |
| 37 Casey Mittelstadt | 19 Peyton Krebs | 22 Jack Quinn |
| 28 Zemgus Girgensons | 17 Tyson Jost | 21 Kyle Okposo |
| 74 Rasmus Asplund | | |
| LD | RD | G |
| 26 Rasmus Dahlin | 10 Henri Jokiharju | 41 Craig Anderson |
| 25 Owen Power | 23 Mattias Samuelsson | 31 Eric Comrie |
| 38 Kale Clague | 46 Ilya Lyubushkin | 1 Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen |
| 78 Jacob Bryson | | |
2. Buffalo concludes its three-game tour of California against San Jose at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. Coverage on MSG begins at 10.
