Sharpen Up: August 13, 2018

Rasmus Dahlin has arrived in Buffalo.
Whether he voyaged the Atlantic via Jet Ski - equipment bag slung over his shoulder, stick in hand, garbed in gameday attire - or traveled by more conventional standards is a story that remains to be told, but the first overall pick was busy after arriving in Western New York last week.
On Monday, Dahlin and fellow first-round pick Casey Mittelstadt took the ice as surprise guests with the Fattey Hockey League at Harborcenter. The league mixes local NHL players (Zemgus Girgensons and Alex Iafallo are among this year's participants) with college and junior players.

Fifteen-year-old Ty Broad was one of the youngest players on the ice that night, and he shared his experience here.
Dahlin then met a fellow top prospect on Saturday, albeit in another sport. On hand to throw out the first pitch at the Buffalo Bisons game, Dahlin was photographed alongside third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the No. 1 prospect in baseball.

Finally, the defenseman recorded a message for Sabres fans:

Sabres to play five nationally-televised games in 2018-19

The NHL announced its national broadcast schedule for the upcoming season on Monday morning, and the Sabres are set to make five appearances on NBCSN:
Tuesday, Nov. 13 vs. Tampa Bay - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 21 vs. Philadelphia - 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 4 vs. Toronto - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 21 at Washington - 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Philadelphia - 7 p.m.
The complete national broadcast schedule can be found here.

Skinner sticks with 53

Jeff Skinner will be changing uniforms this season, but the number on the back will stay the same. The forward visited KeyBank Center last week and announced he'll be sticking with the No. 53 he wore for eight seasons in Carolina:

Skinner will become the second Sabre to wear 53, joining Mark Pysyk (the defenseman wore the number as a rookie during the 2012-13 season).
Looking for your own Skinner jersey? They're available now at the Sabres Store in KeyBank Center.

Gionta: "I'm prepared" for retirement

Brian Gionta is keeping his options open, but it appears the former Sabres captain is ready to call it a career. Dave Stubbs caught up with Gionta for NHL.com last week, and here's what he had to say regarding his future:
"I've still trained because that's the routine," Gionta said Wednesday from his summer home in Rochester, New York. "It's what I've done every summer for the last 17 years. I'm still training with the group of guys who are here. At this point, it's basically to hang around them and stay in shape. But I'm prepared for retirement*, or hit play on the video below.

One week closer …

Hockey officially returns with the annual Prospects Challenge at Harborcenter, which begins on Friday, Sept. 7. Click here to secure your tickets for $10, and check out the complete schedule below.
Friday, Sept. 7
• Pittsburgh vs. Boston, 3:30 p.m.
• Buffalo vs. New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 8
• New Jersey vs. Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m.
• Buffalo vs. Boston, 7 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 10
• Boston vs. New Jersey, 9:30 a.m.
• Buffalo vs. Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m.