Tagged: Buffalo Sabres

15Oct

Dennis McCauley(28) Reading Royals

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3rd year undrafted forward Dennis McCauley(28) turned down Buffalo Sabres‘ qualifying offer to rejoin the team (very likely in Rochester) after a career year with Portland Pirates in ’10/’11, where in 73 games he put up 12 goals and 21 assists. He was considered a contract hold out for the entire summer.

Just before the start of the 2011/2012 season in a surprising move, he signed with the ECHL Reading Royals. In his first game with the team (a 4-3 OT loss) he scored his first goal of the year.

It’s a no brainer that he is the first guy to get  signed to a pto by an AHL team that’s looking for a power forward that can fight and get on the score sheet. Last year was probably no fluke for the 6’3″ 225 pounder.

08Oct

Jhonas Enroth(1) Buffalo Sabres

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Buffalo Sabres 2006 2nd round draft pick (#46 overall), goaltender Jhonas Enroth(1) was re-signed in the offseason as the back-up for started Ryan Miller after putting up impressive numbers last season when called-up from Portland Pirates of the AHL and put into the game (14 games, 9-2-2 record, 2.73 GAA, .907 SV%).

He’ll probably get the start in 20+ contest this season. He’s small for a goaltender at 5’10” 166 lbs. but very quick and his size doesn’t hinder his ability to stop the puck in any way.

03Oct

Mark Voakes(27) Rochester Americans

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Heading into his third pro season, winger Mark Voakes(27) signs himself an AHL contract for the 2011/2012 season with Rochester Americans after signing a pto late last year with Portland Pirates, the now former affiliate of Buffalo Sabres, and posting some impressive numbers (6 goals, 5 assists in 18 games and 3 goalsand 5 assists in 10 playoff games). He spent the entire early season in the ECHL with Greenville Road Warriors putting up good totals there too (60 games, 17 goals and 37 assists).

AHL News carried a good story about his pro career and him being a bit of a late bloomer.

One thing is for certain, in the games he skated that I was in attendance for, this guy’s got some skills. If he does get sent down again, it would be to Gwinnett Gladiators, where 2008 draft pick Corey Fienhage will likely start the year with a contract.

25Sep

Jeff Jakaitis(31) Rochester Americans

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Undrafted goalie Jeff Jakaitis(31) enters his 5th pro season with his first AHL contract for the 2011/2012 season courtesy of Rochester Americans.

He played most of last year with Dayton Gems of the Central Hockey League but was called up by Worcester Sharks and then Portland Pirates where he dressed for 9 games (5 wins, 3 losses).

After participating in Buffalo Sabres training camp and recently reassigned, he’ll join the Amerks for the start of their camp this week.

Tough to say where he’ll fit in with Drew McIntyre and David Leggio signed to two-way NHL deals with the parent club.

14Sep

Luke Adam(39) Buffalo Sabres / Portland Pirates

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Entering his 2nd season, Buffalo Sabres‘ 2008 2nd round draft pick (#44 overall), left wing Luke Adam(39) is looking to put the AHL in his rearview mirror after skating 19 games in the NHL in his rookie year. The results were a bit mixed as he registered only 4 points (3 goals and an assist).

He fared really well with Portland Pirates scoring 29 goals and 33 assists for 62 points, good enough for 2nd on the team a couple of points behind Mark Mancari. He was also voted 2010/2011 AHL Rookie Of The Year.

I would be surprised he spent much more time in the minors.

 

09Sep

Colin Stuart(10) Buffalo Sabres / Rochester Americans / Portland Pirates

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7th year pro Colin Stuart(10) re-ups with Buffalo for another season but will probably see most of his playing time switch from the AHL city of Portland to Rochester with the Sabres‘ purchase the past off-season of the Amerks.

He’s skated 54 games in the NHL (3 last season, 0 points), but the re-signing is more likely to help guide the younger players in the AHL and get the team back into the hunt for the Calder Cup. Something Rochester has struggled to do consistently in the last 5 seasons.

Colin‘s brother is Mark Stuart of the Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers, the team that drafted him in 2001 (5th round, #135 overall).

06Sep

Paul Byron(12) Calgary Flames / Portland Pirates

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3rd year center Paul Byron(12), Buffalo‘s 6th round pick in 2007 (#179 overall), was traded to Calgary Flames at the NHL draft in late June.

He played in his first 8 NHL games last season registering a goal and an assist. He’s small at only 5’9″ 170 lbs but he moves quick out there and some see him potentially making the Flames starting lineup on opening night 2011.

I think he should get up to a playing weight of 185-190 before he can really be an impact player.

Enjoyed watching him play in Portland for his 1st two pro seasons.

28Aug

Mark Mancari(25) Vancouver Canucks / Buffalo Sabres / Portland Pirates

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After 6 years in the Buffalo system and a career year in NHL games played and points (20 games, 1 goal and 7 assists), Mark Mancari(25) gets cut loose by the Sabres.

Vancouver stepped in immediately and signed him to a 0ne-way deal for the league minimum $525,000. He’ll be fighting for an open spot in the Canucks lineup for opening night, but even if he gets sent down, it’s to play with Chicago Wolves, which isn’t exactly the worst AHL city to end up in.

It’s time for him to step up and become a full-time NHLer.