Buffalo Sabres have once again extended an offer to the 22 year old Russian defenseman Vyacheslav Buravchikov (Buffalo Sabres). The club also reportedly offered the young defenseman an offer last summer, but at the time he was still under contract with HC Ak Bars. That contract is now over and Buravchikov is a free agent who is able to come to North America. Buravchikov has recently enjoyed several strong seasons in Russia with HC Ak Bars, this year earning the Gagarin Cup with his club.The club's gesture likely marks the end of the road for free agent defensemen Mike Card, a 2004 pick who saw his past two seasons end due to concussions, and oft-injured Michael Funk.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sabres make play for Slava?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Gragnani en route; Tyler keep your phone on
Monday, January 19, 2009
Pirates lose; Kennedy on the mend
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Monarchs come back to defeat Pirates
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Gerbe, Zagrapan lead Pirates past Providence
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Zagrapan the man in Pirates win
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Gerbe pots pair in Pirate loss
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Pirates streak ends with weekend losses
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Eight straight for the farm ship
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Pirates sail to seventh straight
Gerbe, Pirates continue to cruise
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Pirates stay hot in win over Phantoms
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
11/5 Recap: On Pommer-like pace, Gerbe nets hatty
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Kennedy adds to streak; Mancari on pace to place
Friday, October 31, 2008
Enroth dismisses Admirals
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Zagrapan, Gerbe pace Pirates
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Enroth gets first start; Kennedy streaking
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Gerbe guns for two in Pirates win
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Pirates majestic in 6-3 win over Monarchs
"(Mancari) put some points on the board, and he was a presence," Dineen said. "I think he is very aware he's playing with some guys who have some special skills, and he's embracing that."The two "guys with special skills" happen to be prospects Tim Kennedy and Nathan Gerbe. Kennedy added a goal and two assists in his first professional game, while Gerbe posted a pair of helpers to propel the Pirates. Adam Dennis made 28 saves between the pipes to secure the win. The rundown: Mancari: 3 goals, 2 assists, Kennedy: 1 goal, two assists, +2 Gerbe: 2 assists, +2 Butler: 2 assists, +2 Gragnani: 1 assist, +1 Hunter: assist, +1 Whitmore: 1 assist Kostka: even Schutz: 2 PIM Zagrapan: -1 Weber: -2 Card: -2
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Dennis to start; Funk out indefinitely
F Mancari – Kennedy – Gerbe Darche – Zagrapan – Murphy Whitmore – Hunter – Bouck Fretter – Schutz – BonneauWith Mike Funk concussed, the presence of Mike Weber should provide quite a spark to the Pirates blueline. Per the Portland Press Herald, Weber thinks there might be a natural flicker by no longer sharing an AHL affiliation with the Florida Panthers.D Weber – Card Butler – Baier Kostka – Gragnani
It's safe to say that these comments validate the patience that many have taken with promising talents like Marek Zagrapan. On top of lacking veterans, last year's Amerks lacked any sense of cohesion.Portland Pirates defenseman Mike Weber had been in town less than 24 hours, but he already sensed a big difference between this AHL team and the one he played on last season in Rochester.
"It's a better setup than what we had in Rochester," Weber said Friday morning. "We had two different (NHL) teams barking at the coaching staff, and there was a divide in the locker room. Here, it's a different situation."
Last spring, the Sabres ended a 29-year relationship with the Rochester Americans after sharing the AHL affiliate with the Florida Panthers for three seasons.
"Florida said they wanted these systems, and Buffalo said they wanted these systems, and the players were in the middle," Weber recalled. "It was a little bit crazy."
In June, Buffalo became the new NHL parent of the Pirates after the Anaheim Ducks ended their three-year affiliation with Portland.
"Everyone's on the same page here," Weber said. "It provides a less stressful environment."