The Buffalo Sabres have added yet another Hobey Baker award winner to their roster, when they announced the signing of free agent Kevin Porter on Thursday. Porter won the
prestigious award in 2008 as the NCAA top player while playing for the Michigan Wolverines. Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller and defenceman Jordan Leopold are the other two Sabres who have won the award previously.
Porter was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes 119th overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft. He played 34 games with the Coyotes in 2008 recording 5 goals and 5 assists. After starting the 2009 season in the AHL, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. His best season came with the Avalanche in 2010 when he played in 74 regular season games, scoring 14 goals and adding 11 assists for 25 points. Porter played in just 34 games with the Avalanche last season, spending the majority of his time in the press box. He was also suspended for 4 games after a knee on knee hit with Canucks forward David Booth.
Thus brings us to his signing with the Sabres. A deal that was just confirmed Friday morning. The two sides agreed to a one year two-way deal and unless some utter miracle occurs he will start the season in Rochester. Amerks head coach Ron Rolston confirmed the report saying "Porter would have to have an incredible camp to start the year off in Buffalo." In all likely hood fans will see brief stints of Porter when regulars are injured, and if thats anything like last season we may see a lot of him.
Porter is not your typical centre and is not a very good face-off man, he took just 46 face-offs and won a dismal 30.4%. He played last season mostly on the right wing and he doesn't fit the role of a typical 4th line NHL centre. He plays a poor two way game and has poor puck possession against some of the bigger competition, he also isn't one for "grinding" in the corners, blocking shots or hitting opposing players. He would be a perfect 3rd line centre in the AHL were he can control the puck and hopefully find some consistency on the scoreboard.
Although he is 6 feet tall and 190 Porter has a relatively small frame which limits his
physical output, which makes him the wrong type of bottom six forward for a Lindy Ruff hockey team. But possibly his best asset is his ability to play both wing and centre, which will be a major plus when injuries kick in.
Another added plus is the kids attitude. Despite being benched for the majority of last season he kept a positive attitude, never complained and kept working hard to earn his role in the lineup. He is usually the last one off the ice after a practice and is always working hard to improve his game to get to the next level.
I see this mostly as a depth signing for the Amerks. Adding a centre and a solid "call-up" player. He will likely fill the role Paul Szczechura played for the Sabres and Amerks last season. If need be, Porter could be a solid addition to sweeten a deal to bring Bobby Ryan to the blue and gold.
Porter comes with some leadership experience having captained his Michigan University hockey team in 2008 (same year he won the Hobey Baker). Who knows maybe he'll turn out to be a solid role player for the Sabres.
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