"The Buffalo Sabres don't have much room on their roster. That's especially true at the top of the depth chart, where familiar names inhabit the lines. Things are different with their minor-league club, though. The Portland Pirates probably will have to replace four of their top five forwards from last season, creating a salivating opportunity for some of the younger players at training camp. Luke Adam and Corey Tropp head the list of newcomers eager to impress. The first-year pros have done that so far. Adam, the Sabres' second-round pick from 2008, is continuing a stellar run that began last season. The center was second in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 49 goals, and his 90 points in 56 games ranked fifth. He shined for Canada in the world junior tournament and capped the year by playing three postseason games for the Pirates on a tryout contract, recording two assists. Tropp, meanwhile, spent last season earning redemption at Michigan State. Suspended during his sophomore year for slashing a prone opponent near the head, Tropp returned to lead the Spartans as a junior with 20 goals and 42 points in 37 games. They have the type of offensive talent that could help minimize the expected departures of Tyler Ennis, Nathan Gerbe and Cody McCormick. "Last season was great, and I'm hoping to follow it with another great season this year," Adam said in HSBC Arena. "It's something that I'm looking forward to, to go in there and hopefully pick up a role where I can help the team. I know there's great coaches down there and I'm looking forward to learning a lot of new stuff and really rounding out my game, becoming a complete player to make it to the next level." http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article199574.ece
