Confirmed with Link: Sabres sign BU winger Evan Rodrigues to 2-yr ELC

[Matt Ress]

yeah i agree. I now want Ullmark to stay in Sweden next year. There is zero rush to bring him over, especially coming off double hip surgery. Missing the start of the year, having to recover and also adjust to a new league? no thanks, keep him comfortable in Sweden until he's 100% and he gets his game back.

He can get healthy here and I'd love to see him get out of the Modo tire fire. Also, get acclimated to teammates and culture.

 

[Paxon]

Players from this years draft may be eligible but I can't see a player not being NHL ready leaving from Europe or American hockey for the AHL, it rarely happens. Just an example! If Buffalo drafts Kylington he could jump to the AHL but from what I have seen they usually play out their contract or stay in Europe for another year or two.

The only player that comes to mind is Girgensons.

Nylander did it this year, though not until halfway through the season. Pastrnak did. Both came from the SHL. I agree that it's uncommon though.

 

[DazedandConfused]

It still boggles my mind that Girgensons was able to play pro hockey the year after playing Tier 2.....and not be out of place.

 

[dotcommunism]

Nylander did it this year, though not until halfway through the season. Pastrnak did. Both came from the SHL. I agree that it's uncommon though.

Honka and Fiala also played in the AHL this year (Fiala, like Nylander, coming over mid-season).

 

[Chainshot]

Given loss of Armia and Lemieux from the prospect stable, getting some sort of offensively gifted player into the talent pool, especially off right wing, is a plus.

 

[Dex]

So exactly what do we have here in Rodrigues?

There were more than a few negative comments about an AHL winger trying to play center at the NHL level when he was brought up. He's got a few games under his belt now and he's been okay and at times pretty good. I think he's done better than expected, actually.

So, are we looking at our future 3rd or 4th line center? Or is this too small a sample and/or a fluke. Does his being in the organization mean that Larsson or Girgensons become more a vulnerable in a trade scenario? Is he ready for prime time next year or does he need more AHL time or has his recent call up been a total fluke?

 

[CrazyPsycho]

Hes not a center IMO....could see him peaking as a 3rd line pk specialist

 

[SundherDome]

Reminds me a lot of Paul Byron

 

[Selanne00008]

Hes not a center IMO....could see him peaking as a 3rd line pk specialist

Which is actually something we need with a crap PK. Love the pickup, hoping he can use his speed and be a dynamic offensive threat. Somewhere in between Gerbe and Gionta skill set.

 

[Husko]

I like that he is apparently, likely at the encouragement of management, reinventing his game. He was never going to cut it as a skilled top 6 scorer. But perhaps he can harness the skill he does have, his athleticism, and a keen hockey intelligence into being a solid bottom 6 option. If he can learn the center position all the better. That's certainly a better way to go than the route of a Mark Mancari.

It'd be great to have players like him ready to step up in the future when we inevitably lose the likes of Larsson, Girgensons, and Foligno to free agency.

 

[LaxSabre]

 

[Icicle]

He has 4 ES points in 10 games this season. Sure, against COL/ARI/VAN, but it's still more consistent than most players. What annoys me is him getting demoted to only 8 minutes the last two games despite getting goals in each.

I liked how he looked in camp and really wanted him with Eichel at the start of the season. He seems to actually control the pick instead of chip and lose it like half this team. I can't recall defensive flubs either.

I hope he can keep up the pace and we can re-sign him.

 

[Sabre Dance]

He has 4 ES points in 10 games this season. Sure, against COL/ARI/VAN, but it's still more consistent than most players. What annoys me is him getting demoted to only 8 minutes the last two games despite getting goals in each.

I liked how he looked in camp and really wanted him with Eichel at the start of the season. He seems to actually control the pick instead of chip and lose it like half this team. I can't recall defensive flubs either.

I hope he can keep up the pace and we can re-sign him.

Murray singled him out last year when called up, basically said wow he looked good. I think its safe to say Murray likes him and Erod has a spot in Buffalo. He actually has 6 ES points in 12 games.

 

[Aladyyn]

He has 4 ES points in 10 games this season. Sure, against COL/ARI/VAN, but it's still more consistent than most players. What annoys me is him getting demoted to only 8 minutes the last two games despite getting goals in each.

I liked how he looked in camp and really wanted him with Eichel at the start of the season. He seems to actually control the pick instead of chip and lose it like half this team. I can't recall defensive flubs either.

I hope he can keep up the pace and we can re-sign him.

Really small sample but he's leading the team in p/60 at even strength

 

[Icicle]

Murray singled him out last year when called up, basically said wow he looked good. I think its safe to say Murray likes him and Erod has a spot in Buffalo. He actually has 6 ES points in 12 games.

2 points from 2 games last April.

 

[Sabre Dance]

Really small sample but he's leading the team in p/60 at even strength

Passes the eye test also.

 

[old kummelweck]

ERod seems to have good chemistry with Ennis. He's not physical at all, but you have to love him as a bottom 6 right now. He can play wing or center, he can kill penalties, and if you lose a top 2 forward, he can plug in there. I bet he could also plug into a second PP unit - maybe even QB. He reminds me of a hybrid of Ennis and Pominville.

The only question is whether he may be a top 6 forward at some point down the road and not be happy in the bottom 6.

 

[DatGuy]

ERod seems to have good chemistry with Ennis. He's not physical at all, but you have to love him as a bottom 6 right now. He can play wing or center, he can kill penalties, and if you lose a top 2 forward, he can plug in there. I bet he could also plug into a second PP unit - maybe even QB. He reminds me of a hybrid of Ennis and Pominville.

The only question is whether he may be a top 6 forward at some point down the road and not be happy in the bottom 6.

The NHL is moving towards a top 9 forward. With the third line being defensively responsible first but many are 30-40 point players. If he signed for 2 years 1 mil a year he can do everything Geo does but better and cheaper.

 

[Ralonzo]

Gio lost a step, ERod found it.