‘The Sabres are leaving their American Hockey League base of Rochester after 29 years, and Portland is the likely destination. The Pirates are in their third season as the top affiliate for the Anaheim Ducks. Even those with a cursory knowledge of geography know it’s a long way from Maine to California – it is the farthest trek in the AHL at more than 3,000 miles – and joining with the Sabres would give Portland the benefit of having a parent in its own time zone.’