According to Sabres’ GM Darcy Regier who appeared on WGR in Buffalo, NY, forward Matt Ellis has been waived by the Buffalo Sabres and will be assigned to Portland.

Ellis, 27, played seven games for the Sabres this season, going scoreless. He last played in the AHL during the 2006-07 season when he scored 49 points (26g 23a) in 65 games. If he clears, which still remains to be seen, he will be assigned to Portland. Other teams have until noon tomorrow to pick him up and several teams including the Los Angeles King, who lost him on waivers back in October, have shown interest in picking up the gritty forward.

The Funk returns….

Pirates’ defenseman Mike Funk will return to action tonight for his first game of the season. He’s missed the last nine games due to concussion like symptoms.

Still out of the lineup are Tyler Bouck, Dylan Hunter and Colin Murphy.

During pre-game warm ups, Paul Baier was skating as a forward and Nathan Gerbe was moved to the opposite wing. A little surprising considering, Gerbe has 10 goals on the season playing right wing.