Prospect Info: Dan Catenacci (2011, 77th) – '16-'17: Rochester #43 (AHL), Re-signed, 1 year, 2-way

[Jacob582]

Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman 13h
Absolutely but more bulk will go a long way. RT @8soup: @coreypronman do you think Catenacci can play a regular shift in the NHL?

 

[Chainshot]

He's been a PPG+ player for the last 3 years in junior, and he put up 3 points in his first 2 AHL games last year. Very small sample size, though it's all we have to work with, but so far no signs of the offense not translating into the pros. He's also not nearly as small as Gerbe (slightly undersized, but 5'11" is an entirely different story than 5'5"), and he plays a more complete game than Gerbe did.

I think Catenacci has some really solid upside. Could top out as a fast, pesky 2nd liner. If his offense doesn't show up in the NHL, he's still the kind of guy you love having on the 4th line. I know everyone wishes their 4th line was comprised of guys 6'3"+, but there aren't that many big guys to go around, and there are plenty of effective checkers Cat's size (ie, Callahan).

Agreed. "Small" as in Catenacci is on the smaller side of NHL norms, not an extreme outlier like Gerbe (or even Roy).

He could impress enough to force his way up the recall list. Much will depend on who is playing well at a time when needed and what role the team needs to fill. It's not hard to believe Cassidy will have a lot of input on who gets to go up, based on his relationship with Rolston. Ron too used to recommend players based on how they were performing on the farm, so that likely will remain the same even with the changes behind both benches.

 

[Ralonzo]

and while TJ still made the team, their was far less competition for that spot. If Tropp earns the spot, GREAT! But with a lot of players competing for roster spots (from the AHL vets to the young stud rookies), there is no reason Tropp should be handed a spot (like TJ was) simply because he's waiver eligible

The point I'd make is that with Brennan, even if we all felt he wasn't in the team's future plans, carrying him on the roster maintained an asset that was turned into a 5th round pick, which was then turned into (IIRC) Florentino.

For so long during the last decade, the main fault of the Sabres was asset management. You could easily ice an NHL team of ex-Sabres at any point in time, you probably can do that for most teams. But the Sabres could ice a competitive NHL team of assets for which nothing at all was received in return. A bleed-off of assets like that is tough to overcome unless you draft bang-on all the time, and are a free agent Mecca.

 

[Jame]

The point I'd make is that with Brennan, even if we all felt he wasn't in the team's future plans, carrying him on the roster maintained an asset that was turned into a 5th round pick, which was then turned into (IIRC) Florentino.

For so long during the last decade, the main fault of the Sabres was asset management. You could easily ice an NHL team of ex-Sabres at any point in time, you probably can do that for most teams. But the Sabres could ice a competitive NHL team of assets for which nothing at all was received in return. A bleed-off of assets like that is tough to overcome unless you draft bang-on all the time, and are a free agent Mecca.

our asset pool is vastly different today... letting assets walk, while simultaneously moving assets for rentals is definitely a recipe for a future drought... that's not the situation we are in today.

I think it's 50/50 whether Tropp would even get claimed, coming off a torn ACL... every team in the league has Tropp-esque players of their own, that they've been developing... not sure they'd push one of their own out of a roster spot to grab a questionmark in Tropp.

Tropp has every opportunity to make this year's squad... if he doesn't... no big deal.

 

[couture23]

I feel the same way about Cat. There was a reason he was drafted #1 in the OHL, but he had a tough time adjusting to that game. His development was slower than others in Junior, but I feel he has caught up to them by now and could make an impact in a 3rd line checking role. Maybe not right away this season, but after he plays a bunch of games with Rochester.

 

[Chainshot]

our asset pool is vastly different today... letting assets walk, while simultaneously moving assets for rentals is definitely a recipe for a future drought... that's not the situation we are in today.

I think it's 50/50 whether Tropp would even get claimed, coming off a torn ACL... every team in the league has Tropp-esque players of their own, that they've been developing... not sure they'd push one of their own out of a roster spot to grab a questionmark in Tropp.

Tropp has every opportunity to make this year's squad... if he doesn't... no big deal.

Agreed on the waiver issue -- it's probable that everyone is tight enough with both warm bodies and little cap space that taking a gamble on someone else's question mark is unlikely to happen when looking at it from outside the Sabres. About the only way I could see him being grabbed would be if he's rehabbing with someone from another team who sings his praises heavily to their brass while Tropp performs well in pre-season or anyone watching the Zac Rinaldo demolision and not noticing the whole massive knee injury since (so yeah... Homer and Flyers maybe ).

There are going to be a lot of teams trying to game the system up to the 11th hour due to being at the cap now, prior to the cut off for being compliant. If Buffalo is expecting to assign him and want to make sure he gets down, doing it when there is a glut of targets for everyone is probably the easiest way to shield him. Everyone will be trying to get guys through, few enough to be looking to claim scratch-and-dent items like Tropp.

That said, him as the 13th or even 14th forward wouldn't necessarily be the worst thing if he shows he's ready and has a strong camp.

 

[couture23]

Agreed on the waiver issue -- it's probable that everyone is tight enough with both warm bodies and little cap space that taking a gamble on someone else's question mark is unlikely to happen when looking at it from outside the Sabres. About the only way I could see him being grabbed would be if he's rehabbing with someone from another team who sings his praises heavily to their brass while Tropp performs well in pre-season or anyone watching the Zac Rinaldo demolision and not noticing the whole massive knee injury since (so yeah... Homer and Flyers maybe ).

There are going to be a lot of teams trying to game the system up to the 11th hour due to being at the cap now, prior to the cut off for being compliant. If Buffalo is expecting to assign him and want to make sure he gets down, doing it when there is a glut of targets for everyone is probably the easiest way to shield him. Everyone will be trying to get guys through, few enough to be looking to claim scratch-and-dent items like Tropp.

That said, him as the 13th or even 14th forward wouldn't necessarily be the worst thing if he shows he's ready and has a strong camp.

Remember when he did this?



I miss this about Tropp.

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

I see a lot of Cat's general skillset in many of the forwards we drafted more recently. 200 foot players with strong skating abilities and low centers of gravity, leadership qualities, and most importantly, the work ethic to meet or exceed his projected offensive ceiling and general impact.

He's something of a girgs/bailey/compher prototype to me, Sundher and Foligno as well.

 

[joshjull]

I don't think Tropp needing to be exposed to waivers to be sent down, should guarantee him a spot among the 23.

I agree.


I also agree Cat isn't going to make the team out of camp. Right now we have 6 options at LW; Vanek, Ennis, Ott, Leino, Foligno and Larsson plus 6 options at center; Hodgson, Grigs, Ennis, Porter, Larsson and McCormick.

But I do think Cat will make his mark in the AHL and be one of the top call up options.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Catenacci was never a sleeper prospect in my eyes, Possler is another one who most may call a sleeper but he is heavily on my radar as well.

 

[Crazy Tasty]

He was drafted how many years ago??
Still hasn't played in a NHL game, what a bust.
Great job Darcy...

 

[dotcommunism]

He was drafted how many years ago??
Still hasn't played in a NHL game, what a bust.
Great job Darcy...

Is this a joke? He was drafted 77th overall in 2011. 22 guys drafted that year have played at all in the NHL

 

[Crazy Tasty]

Is this a joke? He was drafted 77th overall in 2011. 22 guys drafted that year have played at all in the NHL

Yes. In light of all the recent fun, I really didn't think that the was necessary.

 

[dotcommunism]

Yes. In light of all the recent fun, I really didn't think that the was necessary.

It's hard to tell around here sometimes

 

[Djp]

The point I'd make is that with Brennan, even if we all felt he wasn't in the team's future plans, carrying him on the roster maintained an asset that was turned into a 5th round pick, which was then turned into (IIRC) Florentino.

.

It was Possler ----draft pick from Florida ( originally NJ)

Florentine along with Bailey was frm st Louis picks acquired.

 

[Djp]

He was drafted how many years ago??
Still hasn't played in a NHL game, what a bust.
Great job Darcy...

Catenacci was drafted n 2011. He is just 20.

 

[Djp]

our asset pool is vastly different today... letting assets walk, while simultaneously moving assets for rentals is definitely a recipe for a future drought... that's not the situation we are in today.

I think it's 50/50 whether Tropp would even get claimed, coming off a torn ACL... every team in the league has Tropp-esque players of their own, that they've been developing... not sure they'd push one of their own out of a roster spot to grab a questionmark in Tropp.

Tropp has every opportunity to make this year's squad... if he doesn't... no big deal.

of rather have Tropp as a 13th or 14th than one of these kids. I don't want them playing on the 4th line with limited ice time.

If the kids can't make the top 3 lines then keep them in Rochester and call them up due to injuries.

Tropp is cheap and I see about 3-5 teams easily taking a flyer on him in waivers ( islanders, Calgary are two). If Tropp was making $2M then yes he would clear....but under $600,000...teams will take a chance.

Given the lost year they would be fine using him in that part time role and see how he does.

Buffalo would be more likely to trade Tropp for maybe a 4th , 5th, or a similar player who was slightly younger and thus more option time.

 

[Chainshot]

Catenacci was drafted n 2012. He is just 20.

He's kidding.

 

[EichHart]

Catenacci has been one of my favorite prospects for a few years. His upside is that of Brad Marchard and I think he just might be able to reach it. If he doesn't he is a perfect 3rd line high energy player with pretty decent offensive potential.

 

[Jacob582]

Tropp is cheap and I see about 3-5 teams easily taking a flyer on him in waivers ( islanders, Calgary are two). If Tropp was making $2M then yes he would clear....but under $600,000...teams will take a chance.

.

Listen to Oiler fans. A lot are screaming to remake/improve their bottom 6.

 

[Jacob582]

So a lot of fans project Catenacci a winger as a pro.

What will Cassidy do in Rochester? Is there enough room at center to keep him there?

Small sample size, however, Catenacci started at wing at Traverse City but was moved to center by Cassidy.

 

[brian_griffin]

the real problem in my mind is what to do with Kaleta. ON one hand I love him hes a fan favorite and will be leaned on heavily as a PK specialist going forward. He can be in his own way a game changer. Yet if he doesnt find his offensive game again suddenly a 4th line of Tropp-Larsson-Cat lline sounds really enticing moving forward until they excel upwards or bust

I see neither Catenacci nor Tropp competing with Kaleta for Kaleta's role on the Sabres. Injury fill-in, possibly, as body only, but I see no similarity in either their expected roles or their actual play to date (though I've only seen Catennacci in Traverse City video).

I still worry about his size, particularly given he's never been touted as an offensive star. If his scoring tails off at the AHL/NHL levels, he could fall into the Gerbe trap, where his speed and tenacity simply isn't enough to play an effective checking role.

Obviously, he's bigger (and faster) than Gerbe. Maybe I just haven't seen him play enough.

He's looked smallish to me on the Traverse City highlights, but yet has obviously been effective.

I heard from people watching that Cat looked great in yesterday's game and was all over the ice. If anyone followed Catenacci in Junior hockey as I did, they would know that he's the complete 200 ft. package and NHL material. Compete and skill level are elite, he's very strong on his skates and can play any role which that will be huge for him. I personally think he will be given a chance right away.

I was able to see Cat and Hodgson playing against some top NHLers at Gary Roberts Biosteel Camp, Cat was actually was one of the best players out there. I guess he's a sleeper, but if you followed him in junior, you would bet on Cat being there opening day.

If this is truly a rebuild for the Sabres then lets see what some of these great young prospects like Cat can do. The Sabres have a few real good ones and this will only benefit the organization down the road if these guys are given that chance early on.

Appreciate the insights - thanks!!!

This season will not be a deep playoff run for BUF. Personally, I prefer the youngest youngsters get time in Rochester, ideally together, before moving up to BUF.

 

[Jim Bob]

So a lot of fans project Catenacci a winger as a pro.

What will Cassidy do in Rochester? Is there enough room at center to keep him there?

Small sample size, however, Catenacci started at wing at Traverse City but was moved to center by Cassidy.

It will all depend on who's healthy, who shows the ability to move to the wing and who can not.

I doubt you'll see Catenacci written in pen at either wing or center and that he'll get time all over the place depending on call ups and injuries.

 

[Wisent42]

 

[Samsonite23]

Was impressed with his game when he was called up at the end of the year. Showed more than I expected. Maybe we can get lucky and he can become a solid 4th liner.