Portland Pirates Team

[DraftBoy]

What are we looking at roster wise now?

Goalies:
Adam Dennis
Johnas Enroth

Defense:
Mike Card
Chris Butler
Mike Weber
Mike Funk
Marc Andre Gragnani
Mike Kotska

Left Wing:
Derek Whitmore
Tim Kennedy

Center:
Nathan Gerbe
Dylan Hunter
Felix Schultz
Marek Zagrapan

Right Wing:
Mark Mancari


Who am I missing?

[Dr. Lecter]

McArthur won't be there, as he can't be sent down w/o clearing waivers. He will be in Buffalo or traded (I would trade him as an add in on a deal to improve the defense).

Sekera will be in Buffalo next year too.

Look for Portland to sign 3 or so AHL veterans (Denis Hamel types) who will not be Sabres property to fill out the roster. That is one thing Rochester would not do and is one of the reasons the Sabres split them with Florida.

[DraftBoy]

McArthur won't be there, as he can't be sent down w/o clearing waivers. He will be in Buffalo or traded (I would trade him as an add in on a deal to improve the defense).

Sekera will be in Buffalo next year too.

Look for Portland to sign 3 or so AHL veterans (Denis Hamel types) who will not be Sabres property to fill out the roster. That is one thing Rochester would not do and is one of the reasons the Sabres split them with Florida.

Thanks! Updated to reflect what Doc said about players being in BUF over POR

[Dr. Lecter]

I would also speculate that Weber will here too. He played to well late last year. I think Buffalo's defense will look something like this:

Tallinder/Lydman
Spacek/?
Weber/Sekera

I doubt Kalinin is re-signed. Pratt is a maybe. I could see Teppo back, if he comes back for less than 2 million. Paestch is here, but has to return to rookie year form.

I would also see a trade of Lydman or Spacek for another D-man. That is where the idea of packaging McArthur could help out.

[DraftBoy]

I would also speculate that Weber will here too. He played to well late last year. I think Buffalo's defense will look something like this:

Tallinder/Lydman
Spacek/?
Weber/Sekera

I doubt Kalinin is re-signed. Pratt is a maybe. I could see Teppo back, if he comes back for less than 2 million. Paestch is here, but has to return to rookie year form.

I would also see a trade of Lydman or Spacek for another D-man. That is where the idea of packaging McArthur could help out.

Is the rule still that you must be 20 to play in the AHL?

[RockStar36]

Is the rule still that you must be 20 to play in the AHL?

I don't know for sure, but I don't think that is a rule considering 18 year old kids play in the NHL.

[Dr. Lecter]

No, it is a rule. If you sign a 18 or 19 year old he can play in the NHL, but not the AHL.

The Sabres could still sign Persson to play defense too.

[RockStar36]

That is the dumbest rule I've ever heard of.

[DraftBoy]

I only know it because I use to play Eastside Hockey Manager and you couldn't send kids younger than 20 down to the AHL because they were still junior eligible.

I only asked because with the draft being soon we could draft a kid or two and put him in the A.

Will Ryan be in Buffalo next season or will he be a Pirate?

[Dr. Lecter]

That is the dumbest rule I've ever heard of.

It has to do with the players development and keeping the Junior leagues and colleges strong.

In short, they are preventing the NHL teams from grabbing a guy while still quite young and stashing him in the minors and paying him a small amount.

[RockStar36]

It has to do with the players development and keeping the Junior leagues and colleges strong.

In short, they are preventing the NHL teams from grabbing a guy while still quite young and stashing him in the minors and paying him a small amount.

Ah, I suppose that makes sense then.

[SabreEleven]

How ironic that the Sabres farm team is the Pirates when the Sabres themselves are becoming the Pittsburgh Pirates of the NHL..