Amerks8796

An Amerk legend, that’s for sure. Kevin O has a nice article on him. https://pickinsplinters.com/2022/10/11/amerks-mourn-passing-of-franchise-legend-joe-crozier/?fbclid=IwAR11XyA85M5Q90KGpBR3EOaozcmxmOOlrrYL1SRpr730mPWecAgA8HJXR6Q

So with no one on waivers today, the only move they’ll realistically make to get to 23 is Pilut and UPL down, Sheahan on IR.

There’s nothing to wait for. He’s a classic AHL veteran, and the reason he doesn’t have more games is partially his injury history. But anyway, Priskie has 3 NHL contracts, 4 NHL games. Close enough. Last year, Schuldt signed his 4th NHL contract with Buffalo. 0 NHL games. There’s likely many more throughout the league. It’s a weird line to draw. What’s the difference if he has 3 NHL games or 20? The Sabres view him as depth, and someone they can call up if injuries hit.

No. In fact, there are dozens of players who get 2 way contracts every summer to play in the AHL who rarely ever play in the NHL. It’s about as common as can be. Many of the AHL vets are making upwards of a 300-400K. The AHL is not the grind it used to be, and they make a good living.

I’m not really sure what’s so unusual about this. He left for another organization for a year, then returned to be one of the veterans. I guess it’s slightly odd that he re-signed with the Sabres as a FA, but he’s local, and the Sabres love his leadership.

This is exactly what I’ve been getting at. At first I thought Peterka would make the team with Pilut being sent down. But Pilut has earned a spot. People are projecting what they want to believe with Bjork, versus what probably will happen.

I would disagree. Tischke may have become their steadiest defenseman by the end of last season.

Contracts matter, whether people like it or not. They might waive him, maybe even 40 minutes from now. But they made a big thing about not paying big salary players in Rochester. And Lance seems the most in tune with the team, and he’s said a few times he doesn’t think they’ll waive hIm.

Every year there’s a player Sabres fans attach to in obsessing about getting waived or moved out of the organization. And it almost never happens. Bjork makes almost 2 million, and I don’t see them waiving him, or anyone taking him off their hands.

Davidson just returned from Russia, and is a FA. So is Mark Alt. I’d like to see them bring back either one as depth ideally.

Because I don’t think they’ll waive Bjork with his salary. And he’s a perfect player to park in the press box.

I expect some struggles out of the gate. The AHL is a very good league, and Kisakov, Rosen, Kulich etc will need time to adjust. But eventually I think they’ll end up very good. I’m general, the divisions seems to have weakened. Utica certainly got worse, Syracuse did very little in the offseason. And I think Rochester got better.

I didn’t think they’d keep 8 D, but I think they will now with how Pilut has played. Doubt they want to waive Fitzgerald. That will put Peterka or Krebs spot in potential jeopardy.

Hinostroza was never batting for a spot. He was always a lock. Weissbach looked good, but guys in his situation effectively have no chance unless there’s multiple injuries.

Super talented forward group. If Sheahan ends up in Rochester, that would be huge for them defensively. I think they need a good, defensively responsible veteran like him to balance out the rookies. Defense looks improved. Honestly UPL will likely be the weak link of the team. Subban will likely be much better, but he’ll get less games in. The AHL is tough to predict, but the Amerks look good. And I don’t feel any of their divisional rivals got much better. Utica especially lost a lot from last year.

Depends on their age. McDonnell, for example, could sign and play in Rochester this season. I’m assuming he’s the invitee that’s most likely to earn a contract.

Personally interested in how McDonnell and Kozak perform. I wonder if this will be an audition for a spot in Rochester for both of them. Kozak especially. He seems ready to step into the AHL this year.

That would probably mean one of Peterka or Krebs gets sent down. I can see this happening if someone has a bad camp.

I think the Sabres go 14 and 7. Pilut will be the first D call up.

If you actually listen to his interview today, he said that it all came together with Buffalo after someone signed in Europe. He said other teams contacted him earlier in the offseason. I find it hard to believe this whole deal was done in less than a day. The timeline makes way more sense that the Sabres reached out after the Ruotsalainen signing, he held out for a 1 way deal, but ultimately signed with Buffalo.

I simply find it hard to believe the Sabres communicated to Sheahan that they signed him because their preferred player in free agency opted to go back to Europe. There was an organizational hole that was created when Artuu signed in Europe, and Sheahan was the replacement. Lysowski is pretty in tune with the team and seemed to hint to expect a player on a two way contract after Artuu signed.

So they pivoted to another player in a matter of hours, and also decided to tell him that he was their second choice after the other player they would’ve rather had, decided to go to Europe? Sure I think it’s far more realistic that he was the depth player to replace Artuu’s spot on the organization

I would expect Declan McDonnell on the roster as well. Sounds like the Sabres are interested in him.

I’m fairly positive the reference was Ruotsalainen.

It took Peterka half a season to really adjust and take off last year. They’re not going to give him a handful of games to adjust to a new league and then kill his confidence by shuttling him off elsewhere.