Luke Adam: 2010-2011 Report Card

by Zachary Zielonka on May 2, 2011 12:00 PM EDT in 2010-2011 Report Cards

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2010-2011 for the Buffalo Sabres. Here is a complete report card for every player that has touched the ice for the Sabres, and when we say every we mean every. The journey starts with Luke Adam and finishes with Thomas Vanek.

	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2010 - Luke Adam	3	1	4	-6	12

Introduction: Adam got his first cup of tea with the Buffalo Sabres on October 26th and played another 18 games for the team as a replacement fill-in five different times. In those 19 games, Adam registered three goals, including the game winning goal on January 6th against the San Jose Sharks, and another assist. For much of Adam's time with the team, he played on the third and fourth lines filling in at center where he was needed.

In Portland, Adam played 57 games with the AHL affiliate and registered 29 goals and 62 points which was two points behind Mark Mancari for the team lead. Those stats earned Adam the AHL Rookie of the Year award, the third straight Pirate to win that award,

Key Stat: Adam averaged 1.09 points/game in 57 games during his Rookie of the Year campaign for the Pirates. In 2008, Nathan Gerbe averaged .98 points/game in 57 games and in 2009 Tyler Ennis averaged .94 points/game in 69 games. Gerbe won his Rookie of the Year in 2008 and Ennis won it in 2009.

Thumbs Up: Adam made a name for himself during his first couple callups at the beginning of the season. Adam registered his first NHL point with an assist on November 26th against Toronto and his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins on December 7th.

Thumbs Down: After Adam seemed to be the call up du jour at the beginning of the season, he fell out of favor for players like Mark Mancari and Paul Byron. Adam played only one game for the Sabres after he was returned to the Pirates on January 18th.

Voting: On a scale of one to ten, with one being the lowest and ten being the highest, grade Luke Adam on his season according to your expectations for him and whether he exceeded them or not.

Topics of Discussion: Where will Luke Adam end up at the start of next season, the Sabres roster or the Pirates roster?

Poll

What rating does Luke Adam deserve for the 2010-2011 season?

1

0 votes

2

3 votes

3

10 votes

4

34 votes

5

37 votes

6

63 votes

7

53 votes

8

39 votes

9

13 votes

10

9 votes

261 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

What is the soup du jour?

It’s the soup of the day.

Mmm, that sounds good. I think I’ll have that.

http://twitter.com/RafalLadysz

by Rafal Ladysz on May 2, 2011 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

roster spot

Adam’s (or any Portland Pirate) ability to make the roster will all depend on what happends during the days between the Draft and Free Agency. If the team makes moves to bring in proven veteran talent, it will mean that Luke needs to (A) Sit another year or (B) will be part of the trade that brought the vet to Buffalo.
In my eye, Adam has pretty good trade value as a prospect. Strong Jr Hockey pedigree, Great AHL performance and NHL ready size. I would think either he or Kassian would be must haves in any major trade Darcy makes this offseason.

by sfg79 on May 2, 2011 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

Needs polishing

True, he scores and plays well down in Portland but his skating is just lacking to me. If he improves this area, I think he could be a nice addition. Too many times I would see him just coasting …

by bflblz on May 2, 2011 12:34 PM EDT reply actions

I voted a 9.

I didnt expect him to win AHL ROY, so that pretty much is where Im getting my 9 from. He played ok up here, but he got his feet wet early, which is important. I like his size and scoring ability… but like other said above, he could be part of a good trade bait.

If hes not traded I wouldnt mind him competing for a roster spot up here next year. But it will depend on the UFA/RFA situation we have this summer.

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on May 2, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

Pirate Roster

Adam did not show that the belongs in the NHL. At least not yet. He certainly wasn’t an impact player. I think he needs at least one more year in the AHL.

by Geolover on May 2, 2011 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

I voted 6

I basically had no expectations of him as an NHL player, and he barely exceeded that. He gained valuable experience in his 18 NHL games, but showed little. From his first game to the last, he showed that the NHL is too fast for him just yet. He didn’t finish when he needed to, and was not strong skating, checking, or shooting. He needs seasoning, and if this team is going to compete next year, he must be in Portland. If we are relying on another rookie for significant production then we have significant problems. We need to update our NHL roster, and keep the cupboard full in Portland for injury call-ups. Unless he comes back guns blazing in training camp, he needs to be in Portland for another season. Also, dependant on the returning piece, wouldn’t mind seeing him used in a trade for a top scorer or back end player.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on May 2, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

Love this kid.

I think he’s going to be a good one, and want no part of trading him. With that said, I think another year (or even a half of a season) in Portland will do him well. Big centers who can score are a hot commodity in my book. He just needs some more time to develop. You have to figure the Sabres brass is going to be on him hard this off season to work on his skating, and I see no reason why he won’t improve there.

by krytime on May 2, 2011 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

I agree with this ^
I voted him a 6. But at this point I think he has a lot more to gain sticking in the AHL and getting the confidence and minutes to dominate against top line AHL’ers than he does by coming up the Sabres and playing 12 mins a game on a checking line against NHL scrubs.

by JSCoope on May 2, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

rec'd

I like your assessment kry … I think he’s got a future here but clear improvement in certain areas need to be made (i.e., skating). I have a feeling like the other Portland guys before him, he’ll see an expanded role next season perhaps to really see if he can make the leap.

by sabre74kkn on May 2, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t want to trade him either. He’s too valuable as a potential first or second line center in the future.
On the other hand, I’d be all over trading Roy at this point.

by Philaster on May 2, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Offseason skating coach!

by Frank Reich Revolution on May 2, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Can we get an offseason toughness coach too? He needs to learn to get a little physical and mean. A big guy that is soft is useless.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on May 2, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Is he soft? I didn’t notice much of him when he was up with the Sabres but i figured he was maybe just intimidated. He’s just a kid after all. Byron, on the other hand, was very physical when he was up, and he’s like half Adam’s size.

by Frank Reich Revolution on May 2, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Somebody that is his size should be noticeable on the ice. Perhaps you’ve gotten to the root of the problem. He doesn’t use his size the way he should to this point in his minimal exposure in the NHL.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on May 2, 2011 6:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

me too but...

I distinctly recall Lindy describing him as a winger more likely than a C, when he was up here back when. I hope he and Ennis become centers but we shall see…hope youre right!

by boonies191 on May 2, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Ennis is definitely a better winger than center.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on May 3, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he may contend for a roster spot next year but I think when all is said and done he`ll end up in Portland. He needs to work on his skating and defensive zone work. I am not worried about his toughness, I think that will come with experience. I`ve been waiting for that big centerman with scoring ability and I am hoping he turns into it. I

by BUBLSRM on May 5, 2011 2:05 PM EDT reply actions