Kennedy Hoping For Dream Opportunity

When we are kids we are kids growing up we all dream of playing for our favorite teams.  For me it was the Buffalo Bills, The Buffalo Sabres and the New York Yankees.  Most of us never get the opportunity to live our dream but there are a chosen few that do. 

We all know the story about Chris Drury leaving to play with the Rangers because it was his childhood dream.  Of course Patrick Kaleta joined the Sabres on a full time basis two seasons ago and this year Tim Kennedy may be the second Buffalo area kid to live his dream as a member of the Sabres.

Kennedy signed with the Sabres before last season and starred as a member of the Portland Pirates, the Sabres AHL affiliate.  He racked up 18 goals and 49 assists for 67 points while splitting time between Left Wing and Center as a rookie.

This week over 40 Sabres prospects met up at Niagara University to prove they have what it takes to play in the NHL.  Most of the players in attendance have no chance of playing in the NHL this season but Kennedy is among the few that have a legitimet chance.

Unfortunately I didn't make it to the Thursday session that included a scrimmage game but on Tuesday and Wednesday he stood out from the pack.  He had speed and vision that set him apart from the rest of the prospects. He was as creative a player as you will see on the ice.  Whether it was the time he deaked Cory Fienhage and had a scoring chance or the setting up Marcus Foligno for a an easy goal in front, he was the best offensive player on the ice.

After signing Matt Ellis today the Sabres have nine forwards under contract and Drew Stafford, Clarke MacArthur, Patrick Kaleta and Mark Mancari are all restricted free agents.  Depending on what the Sabres do with their restricted free agents and the possibility of trades there could be one or two spots available for players like Mancari, Kennedy and Nathan Gerbe.

There is still two months before training camp and plenty can happen in that time but Tim Kennedy seems ready to make the jump.  If Kennedy is unable to crack the opening day roster he is likely to be in Buffalo at some point this season.