(above) Chris Butler was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres with the 96th pick in the 2005 NHL DraftFrom: The Buffalo News
by Mike Harrington
The Buffalo Sabres don’t have much talent left in Rochester (AHL) but the picture is better in the college ranks. South Buffalo native and Michigan State star Tim Kennedy is among a trio of juniors at top-10 programs who hope to make an impact in the NCAA Tournament — and get a chance to play in Buffalo sometime next season.
Kennedy and Boston College star Nathan Gerbe are electric forwards in the Patrick Kane mode while Denver’s Chris Butler is a lanky puck-carrying defenseman. Kennedy and Butler were standouts at the Sabres’ prospect camp last summer and Gerbe has had the most productive college season, leading BC in scoring with 27 goals and 25 assists in 37 games. His 52 points are second in the nation.
“We’re excited for those three guys,” said Jon Christiano, the Sabres’ pro scout. “They’re key guys on their teams, captain-kind of guys. They’re leaders, playmakers, competitors. Those are the kind of guys you want in your organization.”
How the Sabres deal with their college stars bears watching because the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement makes it more imperative for teams to quickly groom older college players. After all, you can’t take a 22-or 23-year-old and put him in the minors for a year or two when unrestricted free agency comes at 27.
Most talk about Buffalo prospects focuses on Kennedy because he’s the pride of Bishop Timon-St. Jude. The left winger leads Michigan State in scoring (19 goals, 21 assists) as the Spartans are hoping to defend the national championship they won at last year’s Frozen Four in St. Louis. But MSU (24-11-5) will have to wait for an NCAA at-large berth after being upset by Northern Michigan in the best-of-three CCHA quarterfinals.
Butler (6-1, 195) has had another good season despite burning 80 percent of his right hand in a kitchen fire in September in his off-campus apartment. He is plus-nine this year with three goals and 14 assists.
“He’s very good defensively, very smart and aware,” Christiano said. “He’s a very good skater, has good lateral movement and ability. He can make that first pass out of the zone. He’s a focal point on their power play. He’s on the ice for them in every big situation.” (read entire article)
Kennedy and Boston College star Nathan Gerbe are electric forwards in the Patrick Kane mode while Denver’s Chris Butler is a lanky puck-carrying defenseman. Kennedy and Butler were standouts at the Sabres’ prospect camp last summer and Gerbe has had the most productive college season, leading BC in scoring with 27 goals and 25 assists in 37 games. His 52 points are second in the nation.
“We’re excited for those three guys,” said Jon Christiano, the Sabres’ pro scout. “They’re key guys on their teams, captain-kind of guys. They’re leaders, playmakers, competitors. Those are the kind of guys you want in your organization.”
How the Sabres deal with their college stars bears watching because the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement makes it more imperative for teams to quickly groom older college players. After all, you can’t take a 22-or 23-year-old and put him in the minors for a year or two when unrestricted free agency comes at 27.
Most talk about Buffalo prospects focuses on Kennedy because he’s the pride of Bishop Timon-St. Jude. The left winger leads Michigan State in scoring (19 goals, 21 assists) as the Spartans are hoping to defend the national championship they won at last year’s Frozen Four in St. Louis. But MSU (24-11-5) will have to wait for an NCAA at-large berth after being upset by Northern Michigan in the best-of-three CCHA quarterfinals.
Butler (6-1, 195) has had another good season despite burning 80 percent of his right hand in a kitchen fire in September in his off-campus apartment. He is plus-nine this year with three goals and 14 assists.
“He’s very good defensively, very smart and aware,” Christiano said. “He’s a very good skater, has good lateral movement and ability. He can make that first pass out of the zone. He’s a focal point on their power play. He’s on the ice for them in every big situation.” (read entire article)
5 comments:
Gotta believe Butler's days at DU are numbered.......
Hard to say. I'd peg it at 60-40 he stays. I've been wrong before.
Butler is a kid who, like Dingle and some others before, really could use another year of college. I don't doubt he has the talent to play at the professional level, but for a guy who was touted as a pre-season All-American, I thought he took a step backward this year. Offensively his numbers were down, and defensively he struggled in several games I saw. Talent-wise he has the potential to be an all-league player.
Nevertheless, the money and other perks of playing in the pros will be difficult to pass up I'm sure.
Just saw Butler made 2nd team all-WCHA. The WCHA awards are out.
I'm not sure I agree Butler took a step back. His numbers may have been a bit down, but otherwise I thought he had a good year. Gwoz puts him out there for all types of situations. Early on this season he looked a bit tentative shooting the puck, but lately he's picked it up. He's a very valuable player on this DU team.
It would be great if he stayed.
I think in today's world, if an NHL team wants to sign you, you sign. Simple as that.
If he stays at DU, great. I think he had a strong season, but not the kind of all-American level performances we've seen from guys like Carle, Skinner and Caldwell, and my guess is that he's some distance from NHL ready...
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