Persson heading to Timra?

Swedish news source Dagbladet is reporting that Timra may be interested in signing D Dennis Persson to a contract for 2008-09. Former DIF Asst. Coach Challe Berglund is entering year two as Timra's bench boss (with a second former DIF assistant as his wing man), and it's possible that his interest in the free agent blueliner may stem from their brief connection in Djurgarden. With Timra being a participant in Elitserien, this could be a positive sign for Persson after a tough 2007-08 season. Difficulty achieving ice time with Djurgarden landed the 6'1 defenseman in Sweden's second division, HockeyAllsvenskan. After the season, DIF decided that Persson no longer fit into their plans. Perhaps a fresh SEL start on a less-cluttered blue line in Timra is the ingredient to releasing the skills that made him the 24th pick at the 2006 draft. How does this impact his status with the Sabres? For now, it doesn't. Persson can be signed by the Sabres and still play under contract in the SEL. Remember, Henrik Tallinder ('97) played three seasons in Sweden and another in Finland before coming across the pond. All this really tells us is that Persson is likely to remain overseas for at least another season before pursuing a North American hockey career.

Season ends for MacKenzie

In the deciding fifth game of the Clark Cup Finals, Waterloo D Drew MacKenzie picked up an assist as the 'Hawks fell to Omaha, 4-3 in OT.

Drew MacKenzie made a nice play in neutral ice to help Waterloo jump ahead. MacKenzie's pass ignited Liivik on a mini-breakaway along the boards and as he carried the puck behind Palmisano, he sent a centering pass to Juutilainen who beat the Lancer netminder 5-hole for a 2-1 lead with 3:36 to go.

In 11 playoff games, the New Canaan, CT native compiled six assists and was a +2. It's expected that he will participate in the Prospect Camp shortly after the June draft before heading to the University of Vermont for the fall semester.

Byron, Gatineau to play for Memorial Cup

Paul Byron had two assists as Gatineau closed out their QMJHL quest for the President's Cup with a 7-3 rout of Rouyn-Noranda. Chosen 179th overall in the 2007 draft, Byron finished second in playoff scoring with 32 points, including a league-best 21 goals. Gatineau gets it done

After Giroux finished off a shorthanded breakaway with a backhand goal into the top of the net two minutes later, Byron set up Pistilli for two one-timer goals that Pistilli rocketed into the net. After Piche had scored for the Huskies, Byron setup Pistilli for another one timer after Gougeon and defenceman Guillaume Lepine had some miscommunication and coughed up the puck.

With the QMJHL title in tow, les Olympiques move on to battle for CHL bragging rights at the 2008 Memorial Cup.

The Olympiques are now off to Kitchener, Ont., for the Memorial Cup, and will play their first game Friday against the host Rangers. The Belleville Bulls will represent the Ontario Hockey League despite the fact they trail their best-of-seven final with the Rangers 3-2. After a four-game sweep over the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the Western Hockey League final, the Spokane Chiefs will be the fourth entry at the national junior championship tournament.

Gogulla gets a goal; Germans fall

Philip Gogulla notched his first goal of the World Championship, but the Germans needed more in their 3-2 loss to Norway.

Philip Gogulla made it 2-0 at 4:09 into the second period with a great second effort when his initial backhand did not beat Pal Grontes. Staying with the play, Gogulla jammed it home for his first-ever World Championship goal. Prior to this, Gogulla had seven assists since joining the national team in 2007.

Gogulla's tally put Germany ahead 2-0, but three unanswered goals sank the club over the final period and a half.

Byron keeps going...and going.

In game four of the President's Cup finals, Paul Byron had a three-point night as Gatineau defeated Rouyn-Noranda, 4-1. After assisting on the first two Olympiques markers, the CHL's goal scoring leader added his 21st on a second period power play. As is often the case when Gatineau takes the ice, Byron also led the way in blocked shots with four. Ahead in the series 3-1, Gatineau will look to skate the Cup, and advance to the 2008 Memorial Cup in Kitchener, Ontario with a win on Friday.

Fun with numbers

Below is a set of stat lines for two players at similar developmental points. They played in similar leagues for clubs holding great tradition, with each leading the nation in scoring during their respective runs. Both players also guided their teams to a national title during the capsulized spans.

2002-03 (Age 19) 45GP 31-31-62 60 PIM 2003-04 (Age 20) 38GP 28-25-53 72 PIM - - - - -(Total) 83GP 59-56-115 132 PIM 2006-07 (Age 19) 41GP 25-22-47 76 PIM 2007-08 (Age 20) 43GP 35-33-68 65 PIM - - - - -(Total) 84GP 60-55-115 141 PIM

Thomas Vanek (Minnesota) and Nathan Gerbe (Boston College) employ different styles for sure, but the statistical similarities during their NCAA days are worth noting. Gerbe's game is built more on speed, but like Vanek, he's difficult to take off the puck and scores most of his goals "down low". Vanek has carved out a hobby of parking and tipping near the paint, while Gerbe prefers the organic method of firing shots from all angles to cash in. Sabres fans aren't going to care how it's done as long as both are lighting lamps in blue and gold sweaters for the foreseeable future. Quick memo to SabreNation: Save the date! Outlook July 1, 2011 in your smart phones with the tag, "Kevin Lowe tenders RFA offer sheet to Gerbe"...

MacKenzie earns hometown ink

In today's Stamford Times, Connecticut natives were given an update on local product and USHL defenseman, Drew MacKenzie.

Waterloo coach P.K. O'Handley has coached the Hawks for six season and described McKenzie in glowing terms. McKenzie is scheduled to play at the University of Vermont next year and was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in last year's NHL draft. "Drew has really helped our team to get to the finals," said O'Handley. "He has a very good all-around game and his presence on the ice is second to none. (Drew) is one of the finest young men I have ever had the opportunity to coach. He will be a heckuva defenseman at Vermont and in the NHL."

MacKenzie and the 'Hawks are currently locked at one game apiece in the Clark Cup final match-up with Omaha.

Schutz joins the fold

The Sabres today announced that they have come to terms with 2006 4th round pick, Felix Schutz.

Schutz (11/3/1987, 5’11”, 192 lbs.) was eighth in team scoring with 25 points (12+13) and 76 PIMs in 46 games last season, and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year. He was also the youngest player on ERC Ingolstadt. “Felix is a great competitor who plays at a high skill level,” said Regier. “His experience in both the QMJHL and German Elite League last season has rounded his game perfectly for the professional level.”

5/6 Recap: Byron's wicked stat line

4 even-strength goals, 2 assists, 6 points, +4, 5 SOG, 4 blocked shots, 1 electrifying prospect. That more or less speaks for itself. With Paul Byron leading the way, Gatineau thumped Rouyn-Noranda 10-4 to take a 2-1 series lead in the QMJHL President's Cup Final. The shifty sixth-rounder (2007) continues to lead the entire CHL with 20 goals in 17 playoff games. He'll look to add to his totals when the two teams play it back tomorrow night in Gatineau.

Sabres sign Gerbe

WGR-550 AM is reporting that Nathan Gerbe has agreed to terms with the Sabres.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed prospect Nathan Gerbe. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Gerbe helped Boston College win the NCAA Championship over Notre Dame this season. The Junior was the runner-up for the Hobey Baker award for best Collegiate player. Gerbe had 5 goals and 3 assists in the Frozen Four.

The signing comes hours after the Buffalo News ran a nice article on the speedster in this morning's edition. Sabres prospect Gerbe won’t be shortchanged

With the inspiration from his brother and the skill that runs in the family, Gerbe is at a place few have reached. The last month has been a storybook, starting with his success at Boston College and ending with an invitation to train with the United States world championship team. “Obviously, winning the Frozen Four is the highlight of the month, year or career there so far,” Gerbe said last week in Maine after a Team USA practice. “This is another highlight of mine, to be able to compete for your country again. . . . It’s definitely been a fun couple weeks.” Now comes the hard part. The 20-year-old must decide whether to sign with the Sabres and begin his professional career or return to Boston College for his senior year. To Gerbe, it’s not a big dilemma. On one hand, he wins. On the other hand, he wins again. “Right now I’m 50-50,” said Gerbe, who added there has been little contact with the Sabres. “I would like to see what happens when I talk to them. I think it would be nice for a new challenge. Going back to school would also be fun. There’s definitely positives to both sides. I just have to get ready to make a good decision here. “I’m pretty open. I like to hear both sides. I’ll probably go back to school and have a sit down with our coaching staff. I haven’t been able to do that yet. I think it would be good to hear what they have to say.”

Apparently what they (the Sabres) said was good enough. See you at camp, Nate.