The NHL lockout will be tough for hockey fans to take. But at least at the start of the AHL season it is a positive for the Rochester Americans roster. Sabres GM Darcy Regier assigned some of the teams top players and prospects to Rochester to allow them to play in the AHL once the lockout takes effectForwards Luke Adam, Riley Boychuk, Brian Flynn, Marcus Foligno, Zemgus Girgensons, Cody Hodgson, Jacob Lagace, Jonathan Parker, Kevin Sundher, Shawn Szydlowski, Corey Tropp, Phil Varone; defensemen Alex Biega, Nick Crawford, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Matt MacKenzie, Brayden McNabb, Mark Pysyk; goaltenders Connor Knapp and Nathan Lieuwen.
Additionally, forward Kevin Porter and defenseman Nick Tarnasky have each been loaned to Rochester pending waivers. Forward Joel Armia has been loaned to Assat (SM-liiga) and forwards Daniel Catenacci (Owen Sound-OHL) and Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec-QMJHL) have been loaned to their respective junior clubs.
Regier also announced that the team has signed goaltender Andrey Makarov to a three-year, entry-level contract. Makarov (6’1”, 178 lbs., 4/20/93) spent the 2011-12 season with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League. In 54 regular season games with the Blades, Makarov compiled a record of 29-21-1-1, a .913 save percentage and two shutouts, earning Blades team MVP honors. Makarov has been loaned to Saskatoon
