Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today that forward Nathan Gerbe has been returned to the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League.
Gerbe had three points (1+2) in eight games with Buffalo after being recalled on March 28. In two recalls this season, Gerbe had five points (2+3) in 10 games. Gerbe returns to Portland where he finished the season fourth in team scoring with 38 points (11+27) in 44 games.
Portland opens their best-of-seven Calder Cup Playoff Division Semifinal at home tonight against the Manchester Monarchs. Game time is 7 p.m.
Meanwhile Derek Roy was absent from today’s morning practice and Tim Kennedy centered a line with Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford. No word yet on why Roy was absent or if Stafford will return to the lineup Saturday afternoon for game two of the playoffs.
Before beginning I should make something abundantly clear; I am not a fan of mock drafts. Sure, they’re entertaining to put together at the time and guaranteed to spark endless debate, but in general when you look back years from now the only thing that gets mocked is the person who pieced it all together.
The other day I took a look back at 2006 when I was a featured blogger for FoxSports.com. On March 2 of that year I compiled a three round mock and found some of these “gems” I wrote at the time.
Continue reading ‘BSD 2010 NFL Mock Draft (41 Picks)’
He’s perhaps the most unheralded defensemen on his Buffalo Sabres squad, but head coach Lindy Ruff regards Steve Montador as an important part of the team. So much in fact, that in Buffalo’s opening game victory over Boston in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoffs, Montador was on the ice for 24:18, a mere six seconds less than team leader Toni Lydman.
“He’s been a rock for us back there all year long,” teammate Jason Pominville said following the grueling 2-1 victory Thursday night. “He’s not the flashiest player in the world but he’s tough as nails, smart and he gets the job done for us. He’s become a big part of our success with his play and headiness.”
Not much was made in early July 2009 when Montador signed a two-year, $3.1 million deal with the Sabres, but more and more he’s showed everyone that he’s a valuable part of the organization. His 5 goals and 18 assists during the regular season will hardly blow you away, but players like Montador don’t… or at least shouldn’t get judged by statistics.
Continue reading ‘Montador earning Ruff’s confidence’
The Buffalo Bills are making an attempt at a new direction under new GM Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey. But not everything has changed; Tom Modrak remains the chief scout of the club, and fundamentally, Nix, Gailey and Modrak look for many of the same qualities in football players that Dick Jauron and the previous regime did. Under the direction of Nix, the Bills will still place a heavy emphasis on experience, production and level of competition along with the usual scouting staples, talent and potential.
That’s why TCU pass rusher Jerry Hughes needs to be a more frequently-mentioned possibility for the Bills on draft day.
Hughes is one of the most underrated natural athletes available at any position this year, as the 6′2″, 255-pound senior is smooth and fluid in space (despite playing end in college), has a terrific first step, and has enough speed and agility to play end, outside linebacker or even inside linebacker at the NFL level. Scouts have fallen in love with him as an athlete, and his production isn’t a problem, either - Hughes recorded 26.5 sacks and 36 tackles for a loss in two seasons as a starter, despite lacking a wide arsenal of pass rush moves.
Continue reading ‘TCU’s Hughes a sleeper for Bills at No. 9′
After trading Santonio Holmes this past week on the heels of getting fed up with multiple off field issues, the Pittsburgh Steelers very likely are looking to fill a hole at the wide receiver position. Given that he’s currently unemployed, Terrell Owens seemed to be a potential match after the NFL draft next week if the Steelers fail to land an adequate player to replace Holmes.
