Elie awaiting chance to crack lineup with Sabres

Remi Elie was the first skater to glide onto the ice for practice at KeyBank Center on Friday morning, jumping out a few minutes early to get some shots in on the goaltenders.
It's safe to say he's itching to get out there in a more formal setting.
"I'm excited to be here," Elie said. "I'm excited to get this season started with this team."

Elie, claimed off waivers from the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, was a scratch for Buffalo's season opener against Boston. He's managed to make an impression in practice, however, and Sabres coach Phil Housley said it won't be long before he gets his chance in a game.
"I like Remi, just the way he practices, he's got an energy about him," Housley said. "He can skate, he can pass, he can shoot. He's going to get a look at some point."

Elie, 23, was a second-round pick by the Stars in 2013. He scored six goals and 14 points in 72 games with Dallas last season, his first full campaign in the NHL. Two of those goals came against the Sabres.
Defenseman Jake McCabe said Elie left an impression as an opponent in those games, too.
"Yeah, I mean he's a big body," McCabe said. "He protects the puck well, he can skate well, he's got a good shot. When you combine all those things, he's a dangerous player there down low, for sure."
The Sabres have asked Elie - listed at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds - to bring a power-forward presence to their lineup. Housley has praised his physicality and ability to win battles on the forecheck.
"They just want me to play my game," Elie said. "Be a power forward, get on the forecheck, use my speed to my advantage and just play the game the right way."
That's not to say he can't contribute offensively, too. Housley went back and watched video of Elie from last season and came away impressed with the forward's playmaking ability.
"I like the way he gets on the forecheck," he said. "He's a big body, he can finish checks. When I see him play, I think he can make plays. He knows what he's going to do with the puck before he gets it, he's got a terrific shot. So, he'll get an opportunity at some point."

Friday's practice

The Sabres got back to work following their 4-0 loss to the Bruins with their sights set on hosting the New York Rangers on Saturday, the second game of a four-game homestand.
"I walked in this morning to the group and said exactly that, 'The sun came up,'" Housley said. "We showed them some video that we need to learn from. We have a lot of new players. But I think we have to get better each and every day.
"We may not get the results we want, but we know we have to get better. Today was a really good practice focusing on some areas we need to improve on. I thought there was some good energy."
Housley stuck with lineup changes he made in the third period against Boston, with Conor Sheary assuming the left-wing position on a line with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. Jeff Skinner skated alongside Patrik Berglund and Kyle Okposo.
Vladimir Sobotka was on the ice for the very beginning of practice but went to the dressing room due to an upper-body injury. His status for Saturday has not been determined. Elie filled in for Sobotka on a line with Casey Mittelstadt and Tage Thompson.
Here's how the full lineup appeared at practice:
43 Conor Sheary - 9 Jack Eichel - 23 Sam Reinhart
53 Jeff Skinner - 10 Patrik Berglund - 21 Kyle Okposo
81 Remi Elie - 37 Casey Mittelstadt - 72 Tage Thompson
28 Zemgus Girgensons - 71 Evan Rodrigues - 29 Jason Pominville
6 Marco Scandella - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
19 Jake McCabe - 26 Rasmus Dahlin
82 Nathan Beaulieu - 8 Casey Nelson
5 Matt Tennyson
40 Carter Hutton
35 Linus Ullmark