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Blue & Gold Future Stars

July 11, 2013, 10:52 PM ET [350 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Brayden McNabb finds himself smack dab in the middle of a mosh pit on the Buffalo D depth chart. He's one of ten D who will be slugging it out for one of the seven D slots in Buffalo for the 2013-14 season.

McNabb has been working out in Buffalo for the past month and has been cleared for contact after injuring his knee in February. He missed 14 regular season games, plus the playoffs. He'll come to Sabres training camp in September looking to earn a job on the Buffalo blue line. It won't be easy because he'll have to compete with Myers, Ehrhoff, Weber, Sulzer, Tallinder, Pysyk, McBain, Ristolainen, and Ruhwedel. His injury could not have come at a worse time. He'll have to be a one man wrecking crew in camp in order to steal the spotlight away from the kids Ristolainen, Zadorov, Pysyk, and Ruhwedel.






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Zemgus Girgensons has been one of the top performers at Sabres prospects camp. I can't wait to see him go bull-in-the-china-shop during the Blues vs. Gold scrommage on Friday afternoon.





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Andrey Makarov is not lacking for confidence, which I feel is a defining characteristic of a great goaltender. Makarov was voted the top goaltender at the 2013 Memorial Cup tourmament, which was hosted by his Saskatoon Blades club. "Makki" played well in the tourney, however, his team broke down often as the tourney progressed. In the end, makarov earned excellent crease time in pressure-packed situations, which will serve him well in his pro career. David Leggio signed with Hershey, therefore, Makarov will be competing for the starting job in Rochester this season. He likes his chances to win the job. If he doesn't earn the starting job, he can always go back to Sasky for another season. Personally, I like his chances to win the starting role with the Amerks. He's made some impressive saves during Sabres prospects camp.




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Justin Kea has been an impressive performer at Sabres prospects camp. Its difficult for me to think of a weakness in his game. At 6'4 and 215, he's a big, physical, strong center with very soft hands, he scored 22 goals and earned 100 PIMs at OHL Saginaw in 2012-13. Say hello to a more skilled version of Paul Gaustad.



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Dan Catenacci has looked very impressive running alongside Mikhail Grigorenko and Colin Jacobs at Sabres prospects camp. His powerful skating stride and his foot work make him a must-watch. His hand-eye coordination is uncanny. He'll play great in Rochester this season.





Thanks, Don Stevens and Amerks.com





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Ryan Miller and The Buffalo Sabres got a shout out on TBS comedy "Sullivan and Son" on Thursday night.




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In a shocking development, New Jersey Devils scoring machine, Ilya Kovalchuk has just announced his retirement from the NHL.

According to reports, he's been contemplating his NHL retirement since he played in Russia during the lockout.


You'll recall that during the NHL lockout, Kovalchuk played in his mother Russia and suggested then that he may like to stay and play in the KHL after the lockout handed ended.







Curious move as Kovalchuk has 12 years and $77 million left on on his 15 year, $100 million guraneteed contract with the Devils, who will now need to plug the gaping hole in their offense.

He's a $6,666,667cap hit until 2025.

Kovalchuk's cap benefit recapture will mean only an annual $250,000 cap charge to the Devils until 2024-25. Talk about a bargain!

How much you willing to bet that Kovy is heading home to play in the KHL for a gargantuan contract, paid in tax free U.S. dollars?





There aren't many UFAs available that compare to Kovalchuk right now.

Might the Devils be interested in another scoring winger named Thomas Vanek?

The Devils don't have a first round draft choice in 2014 which would likely have a negative impact on New Jersey's ability to negotiate a trade with the Buffalo Sabres.

However, they have top-level young players and they now have a whack of cap space.

The Devils have the cap space to absorb the final year of Vanek's $7.1 million cap hit. They can also use Kovy's cap number to structure a long term extension for Vanek.


I'll take Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson please.

Henrique is an unsigned RFA. Larsson is a top flight D Swedish D with relationships with Jhonas Enroth and Johann Larsson.

You?


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