Most of the sports talk surrounding Western New York water coolers right now, revolves around the Buffalo Bills.

That's for good reason, since the Bills have made the playoffs for three straight seasons and are arguably the best team in the NFL this season.

However, the Buffalo Sabres will be kicking off their regular season shortly.

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The regular season opener is one week away, which will be played at KeyBank Center against the rival Ottawa Senators.

There's about as much optimism about the Sabres future as there has been since the playoff drought began back in the fall of 2011. The Sabres have built up arguably the best collection of young talent and prospects in the entire NHL.

If you are going to the home opener next Thursday evening, make sure you get there early, because you're going to score something free when you arrive.

The Sabres have announced that the first 12,000 fans at KeyBank Center next Thursday will receive this special Sabres flag.

As for the final roster, it appears the Sabres have already decided on their final roster and have players set for the opener.

The lines this week comprised of this.

Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka will start the season in Buffalo, as both were all-stars with Rochester last season and should play a factor on the Sabres this season.

Fans should expect to see Jeff Skinner with Tage Thompson plenty and it'll be fun to see Quinn with Casey Mittelstadt, but I'm eager to pair him with Peyton Krebs, since Krebs can be a setup man for the goal-scorer, Quinn.

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