This afternoon it was reported that the Buffalo Sabres had recalled forward Nathan Gerbe from Portland of the AHL, in the process sending Mark Mancari back to their affiliate. Since starting the season 8-1-1 the Sabres have fallen to .500 going 3-10-2 since then and have fallen off of the playoff map in the Eastern Conference. Injuries, struggling youngsters and anti-clutch goaltending have contributed to the slide. Gerbe is the Sabres best offensive prospect and a player that few surrounding the team feel should spend much time in the minors. I'm sure it was the hope of GM Darth Regier and the coaching staff to keep him in Portland for as long as possible, if not the entire season, so he can grow into the professional game what they feel is a proper pace. The problem, of course, is that this team needs to make the playoffs and with too many people not named Thomas Vanek not showing up on the score sheet with any regularity the Sabres have become an easy team to defend. Stop Vanek, regardless of linemates, and you have an even up chance of winning the hockey game. Throw in a dash of over-confidence from a hot start, breakdowns in execution, and teams hounding the Sabres defense on the fore-check to disrupt their quick transition game and the situation gets ugly in a big, fat hurry.
Mancari, for his part, did exactly what he was supposed to do when cut from the roster at the end of training camp, tearing up the AHL for 11 goals in his first 14 games and deserved the chance to make an impact with the big club. For a few games he did, netting his first goal and creating a number of good chances with recently-returned from injury C Paul Gaustad. But, the reality is that Mancari is just not fast enough to play in this league consistently and it was a smart move by the team to finally satisfy the curiosity of the fans by bringing up the diminutive Gerbe.
With back-to-back lackluster efforts against Nashville and Florida, netting exactly one goal over nearly three games of hockey going back to the early 2nd period of the game vs. Montreal and something had to give. Mancari was not ever going to be a Top 6 forward on this team, but Gerbe can and will be. He, as well, was tearing up the AHL with 14 goals and 25 points in 21 games. The important stat for me, though, is the SOG. Gerbe isn't afraid to shoot the puck, averaging over 4.5 shots per game. Goal scorers shoot.
In tonight's win in Tampa, Gerbe was a +2, had 4 SOG and a hooking penalty in 15:09 TOI. Nothing to write home about but, he didn't look out of place either and was out taking a normal shift with 0:53 left while the Sabres nursed a one-goal lead. Max Afinogenov was nowhere to be seen.
Ta,
