Zemgus Girgensons had a few things on his mind, so he initiated a chat with coach Dan Bylsma at the end of practice Friday. It turned into the longest on-ice conversation for the Sabres in at least a decade, with the duo standing at the red line for about 10 minutes.

It was clear from Girgensons' frank facial expressions they weren't discussing the weather.

"I think we all can be better, and I think we all need to be better," Bylsma said in Amalie Arena. "Some of that is more than just effort. I don't think I've ever questioned Zemgus' effort, but we need to be better in some areas. That's our conversation."

Girgensons will still be looking for his first point of the season when Buffalo visits Tampa Bay on Saturday. He has seven shots while averaging 16:49 in ice time (sixth among Sabres forwards) during the opening four games.

"We talked about lots of stuff," Girgensons said. "It's always nice to get to know coach better."

The center played on the top line in the middle of Ryan O'Reilly and Tyler Ennis on Thursday in Florida, but Girgensons will likely skate on the third line with Matt Moulson and Marcus Foligno against the Lightning.

"We're in a process right now with our group and our team, and Zemgus is a part of that," Bylsma said. "That conversation was on the ice today, but it's not a conversation that's just limited to Zemgus and just limited to on the ice."

Johan Larsson is also in the conversation. He was sent down to the four-man fourth line for practice with Nicolas Deslauriers, Jamie McGinn and David Legwand. Larsson has no points and only three shots so far.

"We need to be better and he needs to be better," Bylsma said. "The line he was on was a different opportunity."