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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.

10Sep

Tim Kennedy(13) Florida Panthers / Hartford Wolf Pack

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Tim Kennedy(13) starts a new season in his 4th year after signing a one-year, two-way contract with Florida Panthers, the team he was traded to by New York Rangers at the tail end of the 2010/2011.

He played a full season in the NHL with Buffalo the year before that but has skated mostly in the AHL with Connecticut Whale and Rochester Americans (with the exception of 6 games with the Panthers) since the Sabres walked away from his arbitration away.

Maybe 2011/2012 is the season for the 2005 6th round Washington Capitals draft pick (#181 overall) to reignite his NHL career.

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).

07Sep

Colton Gillies(18) Minnesota Wild / Houston Aeros

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Minnesota Wild expects Colton Gillies(18) to finally fully mature in his 4th and 5th years pro as they handed him a two-year, one-way contract that will pay him $1.25 million for the next couple of seasons regardless of where he plays in their system.

There’s no doubt it’s time for him to make use of that 6’4″ 208 lbs. frame in the NHL and prove to folks why he was a 1st round pick (#16 overall) in the 2007 draft.

05Sep

Andrew Joudrey (23)

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For the first time in his career, 5th year Washington Capitals‘ 2003 8th round draft pick (#249 overall) and former Hershey Bears‘ captain, centerman Andrey Joudrey(23) signed a two-year, two-way contract with Columbus Blue Jackets that will likely see him spend most of his playing time in the AHL with Springfield Falcons.

He had yet to earn any playing time in the NHL.

His stats have never been all that great but he is seen as a team leader on ice and in the locker room. He won Calder Cups in 2009 and 2010 with the Bears.

05Sep

Jon Rheault(26) Calgary Flames / Abbotsford Heat

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5th round 2006 Flyers draft pick (#145 overall) Jon Rheault(26) may have found his niche in Calgary Flames organization. Last season was a breakthrough year for the 4th year pro with their AHL affiliate Abbotford Heat (34 points, 12 goals & 22 assists) in 79 games and really being on the cusp of getting a call-up but heard that it was more of a numbers game than anything keeping him from his NHL debut. I expect him to get his first action in the show with Calgary, if not this season than next for the 25-year old.

He played his college hockey at Providence College from 2004-2008.

02Sep

David Ling(21) HC Val Pusteria / Providence Bruins

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Veteran forward David Ling(21) enters his 17th year pro signing a contract to play with HC Val Pusteria (Wolves) of the Italian Hockey League.

He was originally drafted in 1993 by Quebec Nordiques in the 7th round (#179 overall) and has skated in 93 NHL games. For the last 5 or so seasons he’s played mostly overseas stopping back to skate in the AHL with Toronto Marlies ’07/’08 and last year with Providence Bruins.

At 36 years old, it seems like the little guy (a generous 5’10” 197lb) just won’t quit.

01Sep

Bobby Sanguinetti(6) Carolina Hurricanes

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4th year defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti(6) knows its time to step up in his 2nd season with Carolina Hurricanes‘ organization.

He was New York Rangers‘ 2006 1st round selection (#21 overall) but unceremoniously dished to the Hurricanes for a couple of draft picks in 2010.

He missed most of last season with an injury but came back early, which impressed them enough to re-sign him. He has plenty to prove considering all the hype surrounding him coming out of juniors.

29Aug

Jonathan Cheechoo(14) St. Louis Blues / Worcester Sharks

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After playing one season with Worcester Sharks (signed to successive pto’s with the team), former 2005-2006 NHL Rocket Richard Trophy winner with 56 goals while playing with San Jose, Jonathan Cheechoo(14) signed a one-year, two-way deal with St. Louis Blues that will likely see him report to their AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen to start the ’11/’12 season.

The contract will earn him $600,000 if he plays with the Blues and $105,000 with the Rivermen. We wish the 31-year old best of luck at another crack in the NHL. It is believed he signed with St. Louis because his chances are at least decent with the team.

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.