Amerks8796

It's based on previous seasons. If someone crosses over midseason, they aren't considered a veteran until he next season.

I would be shocked if Josefson was sent to Rochester. Very unlikely. I also think Deslauriers will make the Sabres as the 13th forward, but he's a little more likely to be waived. Ultimately, the Amerks veterans to start the season will likely be Griffith, Porter, Fedun, Falk, Tennyson and Paetsch. They also have Andrew MacWilliam and Conor Allen who are both veterans. Sending an additional vet down like Josefson or Deslauriers would create a bad situation and I doubt Botterill does that.

All the vets like Deslauriers, Gorges and Moulson will make Buffalo. Deslauriers is a good 13th forward who can sit in the press box for long stretches and play here and there against a bigger or more physical team. Just can't see any of them getting waived to Rochester. It doesn't accomplish much and creates a veteran problem in Rochester. Injuries will eventually make all of them necessary and the prospects will get their chance as well.

Yes. He just won a Calder Cup with Grand Rapids. He's very good at the AHL level.

Issue now is the veteran rule. Depending on how things shake out, Amerks may need to sit a couple vets each night. Usually this takes care of itself relatively quickly with injuries and call ups.

Amerks just signed Nathan Paetsch. The defense looks very promising on paper.

Genesee is releasing a bourbon barrel aged old ale. Looking forward to that one.

RistolainenMcCabe Scandella Bogosian Antipin Beaulieu Gorges Guhle/Falk

At best he'd be 8 on the depth chart, more likely 9.

A lot of great beers on tap. Heard their own milk stout is really good but they had limited quantities and it may have kicked by now.

This is a great signing. The Amerks are looking good. I'd like one more solid bottom 6 forward and they should be set. Or one more NHL forward signed for Buffalo.

Defensively, this means Stephens, Florentino and Martin are in the ECHL

Murray signed a few good players on July 1st and ignored the Amerks and organizational depth otherwise. Here's a great example. Casey Nelson made the Sabres out of camp last season. Right now? He's the Amerks 5th defenseman.

They had those on July 1st though. The veteran rule is a pain. They can't really make anymore high profile signings as they're at the veteran limit right now.

This isn't a Penguins connection, it's a Rochester connection.

Botterill has spoken repeatedly about making Rochester a competitive team again. Fedun is a part of that. If he's seeing significant time in Buffalo, there will be several injuries leading to it.

I think I'll take his sample size in Rochester versus what he briefly showed in Buffalo.

Brady Austin is slow and, despite his size, plays a soft and timid game.

Fedun is definitely starting with the Amerks. 8th or 9th D on the depth chart likely. Falk ahead of him and I expect the Sabres to bring in at least 1 more NHL defenseman.

As a long time Amerks STH this is by far the most optimistic I've been in a long time. Maybe since 2009. I love what Botterill is saying and he has a track record of actually backing it up.