So with Donner staying on as 40% owner of the Amerks, it appears that bridge has been burned, bombed, blownup and generally blocked. The Sabres, rumored to be heading to Portland for the coming AHL season have some questions around their minor league affiliate -- will they stock a full roster and will they provide AHL quality depth to that roster?
With the likely graduation of MacArthur and the seeming graduation of Kaleta, recent signings and hold-overs from the current squad, we see:
(Note - Forwards subject to change position based on camp)
Potential signees are in parenthesis. I put Gragnani back on defense, but that could obviously change. Hunter may be utilized more at LW than center, but they don't have many options down the middle. Hell, Gerbe could get time in the middle.
Unknowns --
- Enroth - figuring they get him signed after his WJC performance, but not in the fold yet. Edit: In the fold, in the AHL.
- Gogulla and Schutz. Both could be useful in the AHL and get their respective North American careers jumpstarted by coming over. However, neither one has to make the move. Edit: Schutz is playing in NA. Gogulla reportedly returning to the DEL. - Persson - with stalled development in Sweden, the kid needs playing time and it's been reported he does not factor in the future of his most recent SEL team.Edit: Persson confirmed on loan to Timra this season. - Breault - the only junior aged player who could satisfy the age requirement for AHL play (he turned 20 in February) and is part of the Sabres pantheon of prospects.Edit: Breault is done.
Needs --
- Vets, particularly a capable one on the backend and preferably at center where they are really, really, really thin. Quinn has mentioned not using that model, but the hockey department has certainly forced adaptation to other policies in the last year.
- Scoring. That could be something for a veteran performer, but they could use someone who is a consistent threat down the middle or on right wing.
- Someone to ride shotgun for the kids. There aren't any guys who are going to go toe-to-toe with any of the AHL middleweights let alone someone to police for that roster. Buffalo needs an upgrade at enforcer again, but I fear this entire area goes ignored until such time as someone gets run out of the rink on a stretcher. Call the NLAH... or see if someone in the WEC can skate.1
- Did I mention vets?
- Probably a coach since Cunneyworth is likely on the shortlist for at least two if not more NHL openings. I don't see him back and wish him well if he lands one of those jobs.
That team has a long ways to go to be competitive.
Yep, it does have a long way to go. The list of what it is missing -- consistent scoring, size, leadership, toughness, protection, size , and proven goaltending -- is probably longer than what it has -- youth, speed, potential, more youth .
I'm bummed that the affiliation had to come to this. And at the same time, glad it's finally over after the last few years of contention. It sucked watching what was happening to the Amerks on and off the ice, and it is definitely time to move on.
I don't see any reason why Persson wouldn't want to come over. He's in a terrible situation over there, his development has stalled, he's not playing, etc. It's in our best interest and his best interest to get over here IMO.
If no vets are signed it's going to be a very, very long season.
The Sabres, rumored to be heading to Portland for the coming AHL season...
I've heard about Portland as a possible affiliate a number of times, but what's the deal there? They're currently affiliated with Anaheim. Would this be another dual-affiliation like we had with Florida in Rochester or are the Ducks and Pirates parting ways after this year?
I've heard about Portland as a possible affiliate a number of times, but what's the deal there? They're currently affiliated with Anaheim. Would this be another dual-affiliation like we had with Florida in Rochester or are the Ducks and Pirates parting ways after this year?
Anaheim wants to get closer, I believe they've already opted out of Portland. The conventional wisdom is that they go to Des Moines (have already booted the Stars), Buffalo goes to Portland, Florida to Rochester, Dallas gets scattered to the wind or something.
I CAN envision them accepting one or two other teams' prospects to fill out a roster (the way a few teams did with Edmonton's prospects a couple years ago); instead of signing vets.
I CANNOT imagine anything similar to what they've had the last three years. Management, even Quinn, has said all year that the 50/50 split didn't work and they'd prefer a single affiliation; frankly they never really needed to say that while this whole thing was going on. So I tend to believe the split affiliation days are over but I wouldn't discount the possibility of seeing another organization's prospect on Buffalo's affiliate.
I CAN envision them accepting one or two other teams' prospects to fill out a roster (the way a few teams did with Edmonton's prospects a couple years ago); instead of signing vets.
I CANNOT imagine anything similar to what they've had the last three years. Management, even Quinn, has said all year that the 50/50 split didn't work and they'd prefer a single affiliation; frankly they never really needed to say that while this whole thing was going on. So I tend to believe the split affiliation days are over but I wouldn't discount the possibility of seeing another organization's prospect on Buffalo's affiliate.
i agree, taking on 2-4 prospects from another team is an entirely different situation.
They do have a long ways to go to fill out a roster if it is a single affiliation. Maybe one of the forwards (Max?) gets delt for some younger AHL eligeble players. Saves money and helps fill the minor league team, sounds like something we would do...
Former draft pick Brad Moran is a UFA this summer. I think he'd be the perfect type of player for Rochester. I'm not sure what his intentions are, its possible that he'd prefer to go to Europe at this point in his career.
Sooo...with the lack of an IIHF agreement that Buffaloed was talking about in the Enroth thread, does this mean that the Sabres could keep his rights indefinately without signing him?
Sooo...with the lack of an IIHF agreement that Buffaloed was talking about in the Enroth thread, does this mean that the Sabres could keep his rights indefinately without signing him?
Until such time as there is a transfer agreement, that is what it sounds like. Kriukov II, Skater-boogalo.
Former draft pick Brad Moran is a UFA this summer. I think he'd be the perfect type of player for Rochester. I'm not sure what his intentions are, its possible that he'd prefer to go to Europe at this point in his career.
Signed a 2-year deal with Skelleftea HC in Sweden, about a week or two ago.
Given how upset Shutz supposedly was that he wasn't able to play in the AHL this year, it is almost a certainty that he won't go to Germany over going to the AHL.
He is a centre, though he also plays wing. Given the uncertainty, he would probably be your 2nd line centre right now, with the organization hoping to make him take the spot.
I put Gragnani back on defense, but that could obviously change.
Do you expect Gragnani to be moved back to defense, or think that it would be a good idea? I can't really see why they would/should. He was pretty atrocious at...well, playing defense, but seemed to be carving something out for himself at forward.
Ok with the line-up. Is Grags going back to D? It's looking a bit worrying up front if we don't get some more signings in. I know we only have to fill 3 lines, but there is zero depth.
Ok with the line-up. Is Grags going back to D? It's looking a bit worrying up front if we don't get some more signings in. I know we only have to fill 3 lines, but there is zero depth.
They certainly need a designated meatsuit, someone to tangle with the regional toughguys and give them some backing when they play a team that decides to run them out of the rink like the Crunch did most nights this past season.
I'd like a vet on both ends. It sounds like the Yanic Seidenberg report is unlikely to come to pass since he blew out his ACL in the World Championships. They could really use a vet pivot, a steadying influence on defense, and of course at least one if not two guys who can throw the mitts. Once upon a time, Regier did a decent job of putting beef in the lineup. We'll see if he still has the knack.
, and proven goaltending -- is probably longer than what it has -- youth, speed, potential, more youth 
