Post by BuffaloGM on Feb 11, 2013 15:57:53 GMT -5
RA - The Buffalo Sabres agreed to terms with forwards Kirill Kabanov, Mike Hoffman and Joel Broda on three-year contracts this morning.
"We are looking forward to seeing them in Rochester," said Buffalo general manager Roger Gorbet. "We lost quite a bit of scoring from a year ago in Rochester and these three players will help in that regard. Kirill and Mike are very talented with the puck on their stick and can make things happen at any time on the ice. Joel isn't quite as gifted offensively as they are, but he is capable of putting up points as well. All three of these young men will be playing regular minutes in Rochester and will be important for us to get back to the playoffs."
While the coaching staff in Rochester has yet to announce lines, it is expected Kabanov and Hoffman will begin the season playing on the second line with veteran center Andrew Ebbett. Broda figures to center the fourth line.
Assuming Buffalo training camp lines are accurate, here is an early look at the opening night lineup for the Americans.
Gustav Nyquist - Jeff Taffe - Cody McLeod
Mike Hoffman - Andrew Ebbett - Kirill Kabanov
Kaspars Daugavins - Ben Smith - Alexander Avtsin
Michael Ryan - Joel Broda - Gabriel Dumont/Mathieu Darche
Tim Conboy - Maxime Fortunus
Andrew MacDonald - Mark Barberio
Brett Carson - Nathan Oystrick
Anders Lindback
Joey MacDonald
The Sabres also agreed to a four-year contract with Rochester native Stephen Gionta, who has been assigned to Rochester.
"We were pleased to work out a deal with Stephen," said Gorbet. "Although we have a full roster, we approached Stephen with the idea of earning a spot in Rochester and he gladly accepted. He is quite a competitor and certainly has the talent to play at the AsHL level, possibly more in the future. We'll let the players decide where they play after training camp and see what happens, but we are glad to have him."
Gionta, along with Francis Wathier and Michael Neal, will try to break into a crowded group of forwards in Rochester. Training camp is set to open on Wednesday for the Americans.
"We are looking forward to seeing them in Rochester," said Buffalo general manager Roger Gorbet. "We lost quite a bit of scoring from a year ago in Rochester and these three players will help in that regard. Kirill and Mike are very talented with the puck on their stick and can make things happen at any time on the ice. Joel isn't quite as gifted offensively as they are, but he is capable of putting up points as well. All three of these young men will be playing regular minutes in Rochester and will be important for us to get back to the playoffs."
While the coaching staff in Rochester has yet to announce lines, it is expected Kabanov and Hoffman will begin the season playing on the second line with veteran center Andrew Ebbett. Broda figures to center the fourth line.
Assuming Buffalo training camp lines are accurate, here is an early look at the opening night lineup for the Americans.
Gustav Nyquist - Jeff Taffe - Cody McLeod
Mike Hoffman - Andrew Ebbett - Kirill Kabanov
Kaspars Daugavins - Ben Smith - Alexander Avtsin
Michael Ryan - Joel Broda - Gabriel Dumont/Mathieu Darche
Tim Conboy - Maxime Fortunus
Andrew MacDonald - Mark Barberio
Brett Carson - Nathan Oystrick
Anders Lindback
Joey MacDonald
The Sabres also agreed to a four-year contract with Rochester native Stephen Gionta, who has been assigned to Rochester.
"We were pleased to work out a deal with Stephen," said Gorbet. "Although we have a full roster, we approached Stephen with the idea of earning a spot in Rochester and he gladly accepted. He is quite a competitor and certainly has the talent to play at the AsHL level, possibly more in the future. We'll let the players decide where they play after training camp and see what happens, but we are glad to have him."
Gionta, along with Francis Wathier and Michael Neal, will try to break into a crowded group of forwards in Rochester. Training camp is set to open on Wednesday for the Americans.