Sharpen Up: October 3, 2018

The NHL season opens up tonight with the Washington Capitals hosting the Boston Bruins. Tomorrow night, the Sabres will take on the Bruins for their season opener. And guess what? It's right here at KeyBank Center so get your tickets today.
Here's what you need to know.

Here's your roster

Forwards
9 Jack Eichel
10 Patrik Berglund
17 Vladimir Sobotka
21 Kyle Okposo
28 Zemgus Girgensons
29 Jason Pominville
37 Casey Mittelstadt
43 Conor Sheary
53 Jeff Skinner
71 Evan Rodrigues
72 Tage Thompson
81 Remi Elie
Defensemen
4 Zach Bogosian
5 Matt Tennyson
6 Marco Scandella
8 Casey Nelson
19 Jake McCabe
26 Rasmus Dahlin
55 Rasmus Ristolainen
82 Nathan Beaulieu
Goaltenders
35 Linus Ullmark
40 Carter Hutton
Injured Reserve
20 Scott Wilson
22 Johan Larsson
42 Sean Malone
48 Matt Hunwick

Meet Remi Elie

Yesterday, the team claimed forward Remi Elie off waivers from the Dallas Stars.
Elie (6'1", 215 lbs., 4/16/1995) was drafted by the Stars in the second round (40th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft and has combined to record 21 points (7+14) in 90 NHL games during the last two seasons. He has also recorded 46 points (16+30) in 121 career AHL contests and added nine points (2+7) in 19 AHL playoff games last season.
The Green Valley, Ontario native was a member of the OHL-Champion London Knights in 2013. In 195 career OHL games for the Knights, Belleville Bulls and Erie Otters, Elie combined to notch 161 points (66+95) and added 32 points (8+24) in 41 OHL playoff games.
We'll see if he'll be on the ice with the team today at practice. He'll be wearing No. 81.

Opening Weekend starts tomorrow

Opening Weekend will take place during the team's first three home games of the 2018-19 season. The three games will feature a wide variety of activities, giveaways and special events for the whole family. Tickets are still available for all three Sabres games during Opening Weekend.
To kick off Opening Weekend, the Sabres will host a party in the Alumni Plaza on Oct. 4, beginning at 5 p.m. prior to the home opener vs. Boston at 7 p.m. presented by KeyBank. The event will feature live music from Hollerado and a "You Make the Call" activity, which will allow fans to act as the Sabres' play-by-play announcer. KeyBank will also have a t-shirt giveaway for all fans in attendance at the game. The home opener will be the first of two Family Pack games during opening weekend.
On Saturday, Oct. 6, the Sabres will host a party in the Alumni Plaza before the team's 7 p.m. game against the New York Rangers presented by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event will begin at 5 p.m. and will include a green screen photo booth and live music from Dwayne Gretzky. All fans in attendance at Saturday's game, which is the second Family Pack game during Opening Weekend, will receive a free magnet schedule.
Opening Weekend will conclude with a party to celebrate One Buffalo Day in the Alumni Plaza on Monday, Oct. 8, prior to the Sabres' 3 p.m. Kids Day game against the Las Vegas Golden Knights presented by Perry's Ice Cream. The party, which will begin at 1 p.m., will feature a GIF station, where fans will have the opportunity to create their own One Buffalo Day-themed GIF, in addition to live music from The Strictly Hip. Local Buffalo mascots will be in attendance for the Sabres' afternoon tilt against the Golden Knights. There will also be a special One Buffalo car magnet giveaway for 10,000 lucky fans.
Sabres alumni and Sabretooth will be on hand at each party to sign autographs and hand out giveaways. Sabres fans will have to chance to partake in activations and sampling opportunities from Buffalo Sabres' corporate partners. Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the weekend. All outdoor events will be weather permitting.

A look at the Amerks

Rochester general manager Randy Sexton joined Andrew Peters and Craig Rivet on the Instigators yesterday. The Amerks open up Friday and Sexton thinks the team can achieve great things.
"We think we have all the pieces here - if they stay together and we work together - to have a championship team," Amerks general manager Randy Sexton told Andrew Peters and Craig Rivet on The Instigators on Tuesday.
"Every championship team I've been involved with, you need speed, skill, depth, goaltending, toughness, grit. We think we've assembled that all in Rochester."
More here.

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Hello, Seattle?

From NHL.com:
The expansion bid by Seattle to join the NHL moved closer to fruition Tuesday when the NHL Executive Committee recommended that the proposal go to a full vote of the Board of Governors.
"The recommendation was to proceed with expansion in Seattle, subject to completing the process early with a report and presentation to the full board in December," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said after the Board of Governors met at a Manhattan hotel. The Commissoner said the recommendation from the Executive Committee was unanimous.
The BOG next meets in Sea Island, Georgia, on Dec. 3-4, the earliest the vote could happen.
Seattle is bidding to become the 32nd NHL franchise. It would start play, in the 2020-21 season at the earliest, depending on arena availability.
"The focus for everybody is 2020 and that's what we're focused on," Commissioner Bettman said. "There are a variety of factors that could impact that, including the (arena) construction timeline. The sooner construction can begin, the more likely for an early start. And if everything can be accomplished, 2020 would be the goal. If not, then we'll go with 2021. But I think everybody's preference would be sooner rather than later."
The Seattle ownership group reached an agreement with the city Sept. 6 to redevelop KeyArena and commit to a long-term lease agreement with the newly named Seattle Arena.