Krueger's hope is the Sabres' new identity will become obvious to observers during the final days of training camp.

"It begins off the ice," Krueger said when asked about his "Play Connected" mantra. "We have to work on that unity and it’s not going to happen overnight. We have new players in the group. We’ve got a new mix coming in here. … All kinds of newness, which takes a few weeks until it settles into a comfortable zone, and we’ll work on that naturally. We’ll do it organically. On the ice, we need to feel an identity. I think I’ve spoken to you before that I’d like you to be able to tell me in three, four weeks what you’re seeing and you underline the fact that we’re playing like this, this is Sabres hockey."

Former players and colleagues have detailed Krueger's positive approach to coaching, but how will he respond when a situation requires him to be firm? Krueger has already shown the Sabres he isn't in Buffalo to be their friend. He's spent the past few days delivering sometimes harsh assessments, leading Okposo to label the new coach as an "alpha."