AMHERST – Just hours after returning to Buffalo following a marathon travel day from Germany, Sabres captain Jason Pominville was back on the Northtown Center ice this morning, skating with 10 other teammates.
“I wanted to be here,” said Pominville, who left the Mannheim Eagles when the NHL lockout ended Sunday. “I wanted to make sure I get a good sweat. It’s going to be such a short turnaround (before the season) that’s there’s no time to take off.”
Pominville found out the NHL and the Players’ Association had tentatively reached a deal on the way to a game, so he and Boston defenseman Dennis Seidenberg drove back together. Pominville and his family flew from Frankfurt at 9:30 a.m. German time on Monday and got into Newark around 4 or 5 p.m.
“It was a long day,” Pominville said.
As expected, Pominville played well in the DEL, scoring five goals and 12 points in only seven games. His team also competed in the Spengler Cup, a European tournament.
“It was fun,” Pominville said about the experience. “Honestly, (it’s a) great organization. The GM (Teal Fowler) is from here. He’s a big Sabres fan. They treated me very well. Great fans.
“It’s different than what we see here. They sing the whole game. They chant. (It’s) a different kind of vibe. I’m excited I had a chance to go there and play.”
Pominville was also reunited with old linemate Jochen Hecht, the former Sabres standout who battled concussions last year and is currently an NHL free agent. The two skated together again.
“Jochen’s doing great, definitely interested in coming back,” Pominville said. “He’s actually playing really well. We were playing together. He looks great. He’s healthy. I mean, he’s the same Jochen that’s he’s always been, just one of those guys that is so solid in every area of the ice. … (He had) no health issues. …
“He’s just staying there patiently waiting for an opportunity to play. Whatever team gets him – hopefully, it’s us – … they’re going to have a good player, that’s for sure.”
UPDATE: Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said this afternoon Hecht, who has five goals and 13 points in only eight games with Mannheim, “remains a possibility.”
Regier plans to speak with Hecht’s agent.
“I know he’s been playing very well,” Regier said.
Yay to Hecht! I’d love to see him back at a reasonable price – he’d fill out the 3rd line well. He has been a solid and consistent Sabre for a very long time.
Why not? If McCormick isn’t ready to go can’t hurt to have a decent, healthy 2 way forward who looked good in Germany and knows Lindy’s system.
Jochen was a decent Sabre for a long time. That time has passed. He’s on his last legs and WILL get injured. This team needs a new look. Bringing back the same people isnt going to get the job done. Need fresh faces.
Good player but I don’t see ever playing a full season in the NHL again due to his constant injuries
For the past 2 seasons I couldnt wait for Hecht to b gone. 3.5 mil for a player who was constantly on the IR (89 games played in last 2 seasons) and not producing since his 21 goal effort in ’09. With the short season and anticipation of more injuries than usual due to lockout I think it would be wise to sign him to a cheap one yr deal.
Yes, one of the most underrated Sabres of the generation. When healthy he is a hugely influential player. Responsible, hard working, and intelligent. Also makes sense because he won’t need a huge contract, knows the system and the players around him. If the Sabres don’t sign him I guarantee another NHL team will.
Under any other circumstance i would say no. But in a 48 game season, it does make sense. Nobody knows how Grigorenko will do? Chemistry is going to be a big part of any teams success and Hecht has it on this team, and is trusted in our own zone. So, it does make sense to bring him in, and hope he can stay healthy for the next 100+ days. It’s actually not that much to ask for.