By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA And so the Alexander Nylander era in Western New York has come to an end. Rochester Americans fans are no doubt Google-mapping a parade route at this very moment. Nylander arrived with high expectations and a high opinion of what he could do, which is just fine. There's nothing wrong with confidence. Unless you don't back it up. Three years later, … [Read more...] about Sabres obviously grew tired of waiting for Nylander to shine
Amerks
There’s no way to sugar-coat this Amerks playoff flop
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The team and league record books will forever show the Rochester Americans had a very good season in 2018-19. They'll be nothing but lies. Oh, that 46-23-5-2 record and 99 points the Amerks piled up will always look nice. But looks are deceiving. This franchise is far beyond taking consolation in regular-season accolades. When you haven't won a … [Read more...] about There’s no way to sugar-coat this Amerks playoff flop
Will this Amerks team be remembered only for failure?
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Sometimes legends for a lifetime within a minor league hockey city are made during the playoffs. For an example with the Rochester Americans, see Scott Nichol's Game 5 overtime heroics during the 1996 Calder Cup finals. See Jody Gage for his 14-goal playoff explosion during the run to the 1987 Calder Cup. See Jim Pappin for his 11-goal, 5-assist … [Read more...] about Will this Amerks team be remembered only for failure?
Despite early blitz, Amerks fire blanks and lose opener to Marlies
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Forget about the Mueller Report. The Rochester Americans need to worry about the (Chris) Mueller report. The veteran centerman from Buffalo, whose slippery net-front presence has bedazzled American Hockey League foes for 11 seasons, scored two back-breaking goals as the Toronto Marlies stunned the Amerks — aka, the gang that couldn't shoot straight — … [Read more...] about Despite early blitz, Amerks fire blanks and lose opener to Marlies
Amerks Redmond named AHL’s best D-man, but he’s focused on playoffs
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA When the Rochester Americans' 2017-18 season came to a yet another premature end, Zach Redmond was prepared to explore his free-agent options. He wasn't getting any younger, and NHL teams weren't as interested in his talents as they once were. Europe was becoming an appealing alternative. But then in mid-June the Buffalo Sabres made him an offer he … [Read more...] about Amerks Redmond named AHL’s best D-man, but he’s focused on playoffs