News > Portland Pirates
Pirates look at Gerbe on defense
By Chris Roy Published: 6th March 2009Portland, ME – Because of the Sabres infinite wisdom in having two healthy defensemen sit in the pressbox every night, the Portland Pirates have resorted to dressing forward Nathan Gerbe at defense.
That’s right… The Pirates have Nathan Gerbe on defense and it looks like he may be taking regular shifts there beginning tomorrow night as the Pirates are in Manchester to take on the Monarchs.
“He’s a legitimate option to play defense,” said Pirates head coach Kevin Dineen. “I’ve got seven quality defensemen here in Portland, the only problem is they’re all hurt, minus (Butler) in Buffalo.”
The Sabres made several moves on trade deadline day, but they failed miserably in addressing the Pirates need for a defenseman, by either sending a player down or acquiring a player by means of an AHL trade. The result of those inactions is the Pirates using assistant coach Eric Weinrich and Nathan Gerbe on the blueline. Weinrich is not attempting a comeback, but to take one of your top offensive players and use him on the blueline as a need is baffling.
While the Sabres sit five players, two who could be better served by playing in Portland, the Pirates are scrambling to have a roster that resembles an AHL team by Saturday.
The Pirates sit in third place in the Atlantic Division and with the Lowell Devils and Manchester Monarchs playing so well over the last several weeks, the Pirates find themselves with the possibility of preparing for a long summer of golf instead of a deep playoff run.
That’s not what we heard from Sabres’ GM Darcy Regier in August when the he was preaching a solid minor league team in Portland. That is what we heard from Rochester when Buffalo announced they were leaving that city after 29 years.
Time will tell.
***********************
Jhonas Enroth was back in Portland this morning and looked very refreshed on the ice. After spending the last couple of weeks in Buffalo, not dealing with the stress of Portland’s issues, he looks ready for the last month of the season.
With the return of Enroth, the Pirates kept Kellen Briggs as the backup, releasing Jeff Jakaitis from his PTO.
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Candi,
Thanks for the interest in this topic. I will say it goes to show how passionate Sabres fans really are. I couldn’t always say that about Anaheim.
To start with your second point… Quinn doesn’t micro manage the Pirates. That is correct, but Sabres’ GM Darcy Regier does approve all transactions for Portland.
On Thursday I asked Dineen about getting defensive help and this was his response.
“All transaction come out of Buffalo. When they happen I will find out and then you’ll know,” he said.
He added,”All transactions come out of Buffalo so this is nothing different.”
Now, he was sugar coating it a little bit, but the reality is Buffalo pulls the strings.
Always have and always will.
To your next point about the purpose of the AHL.
Again, I can’t argue with that definition, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. The AHL is a business and like any business you need fans, a product to sell and the Pirates are in the business of selling entertainment in the form of hockey to the people in Portland. It’s no different then the Portland Sea Dogs or the future NBA D-League team in Portland.
They sell a product and people have to be willing to buy it. If the product is substandard they won’t buy it.
I agree w/ Chris, on this one Candi
going back to year 1 w/ Washington, of which the Pirates had a twelve year run, there were much of the same issues, that the Pirates had and, the Capitals charge, then, as Anaheim did beginning three years ago, which is now the Sabres charge as it had been throughout much of their affiliation in Rochester, is to provide as competitive club as possible to benefit both franchises.
Dineen was originally hired by Anaheim when they were here, and when the Ducks left, the liason that was the buffer between Kevin and the Ducks also left when the Ducks left (now the current Ducks GM), Bob Murray, was that liason, but those reports went through him, and at times, we had their GM also in attendance, in Brian Burke, an original part of the history of the AHL, as he played here in the original season of Portland’s history, so can you clarify how Dineen is being micro managed by either Darcy or Larry Quinn and the Sabres if we gave all control over player signings, as Chris has said.
Anaheim never did micro-managed the Pirates, otherwise this franchise wouldn’t have won 2/3 of the games as the Ducks affiliate.
Here is the definition of AHL:
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League (NHL). 29 of the 30 NHL teams have exclusive affiliation…
The Sabres do not micro-manage Dineen like the Ducks did. This is from a Larry Quinn interview when he hired Dineen.
Candi,
Thanks for the support… I’m sure the Pirates appreciate it too. That said, I need to clarify a few things. Dineen doesn’t have free reign over the Pirates. He’s an employee of the Sabres and any moves he wants to make has to be approved by Regier. Dineen has had a couple moves rejected because of Sabres philosophies.
Also, it’s not the Pirates first priority to supply players to Buffalo. The Pirates first priority is to provide an entertaining product to the fan base in Portland. The development is a by-product and a secondary function of the Pirates. The Sabres could leave and the Pirates still need to provide a product to the Southern Maine area.
I will agree and haven’t argued the point that injuries this season have been a big issue. If the Pirates don’t suffer another injury… They will total 398 man-games lost. That’s a lot by any standard.
At the end of the day, however, it is the Sabres responsibility to provide a team that is AHL quality. They are paying for it and the fans in Portland expect it.
The first priority of a farm club is to supply players to the NHL club. Argue all you may, but it is what it is. Dineen has free reign and full control of the Pirates, unlike when it was the Ducks farm club. He can sign any player he chooses without consent from the Sabres. It’s not the Sabres fault your whole D went down, it’s just unfortunate. I too supported the Pirates in Buffalo, along with 11,200 other fans. At least you got your goalie back. This problem should be alleviated next season when a new crop of tallented players are signed. The season before the Sabres shared a club with Florida and had only 9 players on the roster. This shouldn’t happen again.
Understand your frustration. I am a season ticket holder for Buffalo. Unfortunately your players will always change hands. Thats the card you drew with your home club. I am not saying that Darcy shouldn’t of done anything or that you don’t have the right to be upset. All I am saying is this is what the relationship entitles. We need guys up here, we get them. As much as you think someone “belongs” somewhere doesn’t matter. Not trying to be a jerk here guys, but it is what it is.. I paid to see them when they came here. We do support your team.
totally agree w/ that last comment, I think you pointed that out in a recent article and that’s been true since gm 1 of yr 1 of this market once the honeymoon wore off and us who have supported both franchise to call Portland home whether or not you shelled out “disposable income” ON SEASON tickets
Chuck,
Part of your statement is part of the problem between NHL clubs and their AHL affiliates.
“Portland is the farm club and their job is to get players up.”
That is simply not true as you said it.
Portland does prepare players to be ready should Buffalo call, but it’s not the Pirates job. The Pirates in the entertainment business and it’s there job to provide an entertaining product for the paying public in Maine.
Anyone willing to make that comment should come to the 4-C’s and make that comment to someone who dished out their hard earned money for season tickets.
As for Butler… We’ll see if he remains, but I can tell you the AHL Clear Day roster will give a good indication of where he belongs.
As much as I agree that Darcy should of done something. Portland is the farm club and their job is to get players up. Obviously you haven’t followed the team in recent years. Injuries during this time of the year killed a cup run! You won’t see Butler back ever, and that leaves nobody else to be sent back who doesn’t have to clear waivers. This is why Dineen should be looked at by NHL clubs. He does an excellent job with what he has. There are some stud D-men who will be in your line-up next year.
As far as Sheila’s comment, Buts is playing at a top 4 level up here. Who cares what people have him ranked on the depth chart. Myers won’t crack the Buffalo line-up for a few more years. So I would take the prospect rankings with a grain of salt.
I just read in THN that Butler is still thought of as a number three prospect, Myers is 1st and Gerbe is 2nd. If that’s the case, would it serve Butler better to be playing more often here in Portland?
how come Portland is competing despite Buffalo, is what’s impressive here, how come Portland’s in a position to challenge for a potential 1 seed in their division, whereas Buffalo was expressly notified by Golisano, to make the playoffs or else….
Part of it does fall on Darcy’s shoulders. To be viable as a GM, you have to look out and think about the farm club as well as the parent club. Pissing off paying customers in Portland upsets the business model.
Of course and as we all very well know…injuries are unpredictable and can prove to happen all at once and at the worst possible times…
Wow Adam, if that doesn’t just scream out “Buffalo supports their minor league operations”, I don’t know what does…
As a slightly annoyed fan of the farm club, I guess Buffalo better hope their defensive corp doesn’t get depleted by a series of injuries and ailments. It would just be so very horrible for them to find out first hand just how shallow of a corp they’ve created in Portland by not stocking the system…
Butler has been solid for the Sabres, so I gues they wouldn’t want to send him down. If waivers don’t count then I would send Teppo down personally. If he isn’t going to play in Buffalo then he would be great at helping some young talent.
That’s the spirit… How can Butler play great hockey when he’s a healthy scratch??
Besides the point… Waivers don’t have the same effect after the trade deadline. Also, why not send Patesch down on a reconditioning stint?
I’m sure he use the work?
Butler is playing great hockey right now, and the other spares can’t be sent down without clearing waivers.
Sorry Portland. You’re going to have to deal with it.