We know it's been a while since we checked in on these guys, so here's a refresher on some of the Sabres-centric storylines we'll be watching this weekend and going into training camp.
Competition at forward
The Sabres made it a priority to bolster their defense this offseason, but it came at the expense of some offensive depth. Marcus Foligno and Tyler Ennis were sent to Minnesota in the deal for Marco Scandella and Jason Pominville, while William Carrier was taken by Vegas in the expansion draft.
What Foligno, Ennis and Carrier all had in common was their natural position on the left wing. Pominville figures to slot in on the right side, leaving Evander Kane, Matt Moulson and Nicolas Deslauriers as the only holdovers on the left.
The Sabres signed Benoit Pouliot to help replenish depth at the position, but a sense still remains that the best avenue for a young forward to crack the lineup may be on the left wing. Bailey and Baptiste acknowledged as much at development camp in July.
"I've made a conscious effort this offseason to work on some of the little things - wall work and some of the things in the D zone that I wasn't used to as much on the left side," Bailey said at the time. "We saw a little bit of that last year when I played my games in the NHL. Cleaning that up a little bit, and then making sure I can do whatever they want me to do, to give me the best chance come September."
But Bailey and Baptiste are only two of a handful of players who could compete for the spot. Hudson Fasching has also proved to be capable in NHL stints and is entering his second pro season, while Alexander Nylander and C.J. Smith both play the left naturally. Nylander had already added size to his frame at development camp, and he's had two months since to continue that progress.
How these players perform at training camp and in preseason games will determine where they stand come October, but the Prospects Challenge will be our first look at the progress they've made this offseason.
Guhle's third go-around
Brendan Guhle has impressed at every camp he's attended with the Sabres, so much so that he forced his name into the conversation for the NHL roster in each of his first two preseasons. Now, Guhle enters his third camp with the added benefit of having NHL experience under his belt thanks to a three-game stint on emergency recall last season.
Guhle handled himself well enough in those three games to suggest that this may be the year he cracks the NHL roster out of camp, but that was before Jason Botterill replenished the defense with the additions of Marco Scandella, Victor Antipin and Nathan Beaulieu. The opportunity for Guhle still exists, but he'll have to earn it.
In the event Guhle doesn't crack the NHL roster out of camp, he'll be able to develop as a first-year pro in Rochester. Given the emphasis new management has placed on development and success at all levels, it seems like either situation would be a win for the organization.
Other names to watch
Cliff Pu and Vasily Glotov, Buffalo's third and seventh-round picks in 2016, have both proven to be fan favorites at development camp and both will be on hand this weekend. Pu can wow you with his skating ability, while Glotov can do things like this:
