Fasch Track (sabres)

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Inside Look: #Gophers forward @hfasching22 signs with the @buffalosabres earlier today.

A photo posted by Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey (@gophermhockey) on

The other Gopher has landed.

Ten seasons after Thomas Vanek made his rookie debut for the Buffalo Sabres, along comes another University of Minnesota Gopher difference making forward.

Hudson Fasching is now a Buffalo Sabre having signed his three year NHL entry level contract.

In Fasching, Tim Murray adds another steel support girder to the rebuilt Buffalo Sabres.

Fasching is Buffalo's #2 ranked prospect behind defenseman Brendan Guhle.

Stick tap Murray and Fasching's family and representatives.

The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has signed forward Hudson Fasching to an entry-level contract.

Fasching (6’2…, 216 lbs.) recently completed his junior season at the University of Minnesota (Big Ten), during which he served as alternate captain and was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team.

“Hudson showed us the kind of player he can be during his college career and we are pleased to sign him,… General Manager Tim Murray said. “We believe he has the potential to be an effective NHL player and wanted to bring him in as soon as possible.…

In 37 games during the 2015-16 season, Fasching registered career-high totals in goals (20), assists (18) and points (38). His 20 goals, including his team-high seven game-winners, tied to lead all Minnesota skaters and his 38 points ranked him second on the team.

Fasching totaled 64 points (32+32) and 40 penalty minutes in 75 games during three seasons with the Golden Gophers. He also represented the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championship in both 2014 and 2015, totaling seven points (3+4) in 10 tournament games.

The Sabres acquired Fasching from the Los Angeles Kings on March 5, 2014 in a trade that also included Nicolas Deslauriers. Originally drafted by Los Angeles in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Fasching spent two seasons with the U.S. National Development Team (USHL) prior to his collegiate career, recording 32 points (11+21) in 62 games.

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My line trios for the Sabres-Jets game on Saturday will be heavily influenced by the kids in the top six forwards group.

I'm not ready to throw Fasching from the frying pan into the fire. That's why I want to see the Golden Gopher play protected by two six year NHL veterans in Evander Kane and Ryan O'Reilly. Kane and ROR are great role models and will coach Fasching on the bench between shifts. Fasching will provide great net front presence for two guys who like to wire the puck on net.

Here we go:

Kane-O'Reilly- Fasching Girgensons-Eichel-Reinhart Foligno-Larsson-Gionta Moulson-Legwand-Deslauriers

My preliminary thoughts on lineups for 2016-17 season:

* Fasching will not be guaranteed of anything in terms of roster spot. Justin Bailey and Nick Baptiste are right wingers who will give Fasching a serious, serious run for his money. The competition between Bailey, Baptiste and Fasching for a Buffalo roster spot will be fierce.

* Tim Murray may well be calculating Matt Moulson's buyout as we speak. Moulson will be owed two thirds the value of the three years at $5 million per season. In other words, Murray will have to hand Moulson a check for $10 million to never play for the Sabres again. Subtracting Moulson would be a shocker, however, Murray doesn't care about the touchy feelies of the matter. Recently, Murray was very critical of Moulson's conditioning and his dedication to improving his physical fitness. At 32 years of age, Moulson may never regain the two steps of power skating that he has obviously lost in the past three seasons.

* Murray will also be strongly considering a trade of Tyler Ennis to free up a top six forward spot. Ennis has missed 80% of the games this season due to upper body injuries and concussions. Ennis, 26. has a lot of hockey left in his spry, water bug legs. Trading Ennis at the June entry draft along with a second round pick will help Murray secure the top four D that he has been chasing since last summer.

* David Legwand, 36, is a pending UFA. He will not be back next season. Dan Bylsma will have open competition for the fourth line center job. I like Cal O'Reilly's overall game and think he will be a great L4 center.

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I just blew into town about an hour ago. I took a look around to see which way the wind blows.

Met a little Hudson Fasching news that I thought I'd share with you.

KSTD Minneapolis reports that the Buffalo Sabres are putting the final strokes on their negotiations to bring Fasching to the Buffalo Sabres.

You could say that Fasching has a penchant for succeeding at every stop along the fast track of his college experience and his hockey life.

Fasching may be signed tonight. Tuesday at the latest.

The Sabres practiced in Buffalo on Monday then flew to Raleigh where they will play the Hurricanes on Tuesday night.

If he signs tonight, he will practice systems work with the Sabres Wednesday through Friday.

Fasching may find himself in the Buffalo lineup this Saturday when the Sabres host the Winnipeg Jets in a 1pm EDT matinee.

Fasching, who is a University of Minnesota junior, has already completed his required and is due to graduate in May with.

Think about that.

Fasching, 20, is a full time scholar athlete and he is ready to graduate after only three years of studies.

I love this story more and more by the day.

On the ice, Fasching's junior season and NCAA career came to a close on Saturday night when he and his Gophers lost to the University of Michigan Wolverines in the B1G 10 Championship game.

Tim Murray and the Sabres will be getting a player who scored 20 goals and 38 points in 37 games this season. In 115 career games with the Gophers, Fasching scored 48 goals and added 46 assists.

A native of Burnsville, Minnesota, Fasching played two years with the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) before creating an impressive hockey brand for himself during his three seasons playing B1G 10 hockey at the University of Minnesota.

Will Fasching skate into the NHL and dominate games right off the hop?

No. He will not.

Will he be a point a game guy and kill it in the top six forward group?

No. He will not.

Will Fasching be a solid collaborator and reliable support source for fellow skilled youngsters Jack Eichel, Samson Reinhart, Zemgus Girgensons, Ryan O'Reilly and Evander Kane?

I'd like to see Fasching play eight games to end the 2015-16 season with the Sabres. Then, I'd like to see Fasching summer in Buffalo while lifting, playing shinny and working out with his Buffalo teammates at HARBORCenter.

When a Fasching signing happens, you will learn more about it here.

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