2013 Buffalo Sabres Report Card: Kevin Porter

Kevin Porter

#12 / Center / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 5-11

Weight: 194

Born: Mar 12, 1986

Contract: Signed for 2013-2014

Report Card for 2012: N/A

Introduction: There wasn't a player that was criticized, by the fans, more than Kevin Porter. Porter was originally signed for veteran depth and was expected to spend the entire season with the Rochester Americans. Porter played well in Rochester and was called up after Lindy Ruff was fired, in hopes that he could help the team turn things around. We all know how the scenario played out. Porter was not the savior and the Buffalo Sabres missed the playoffs.

Key Stat: Porter averaged over 15 minutes of ice time per game. This is more than most Sabres would have liked to see him play. The reality is he played a third line role with the squad and he also killed penalties. This put him right in line with other third line players throughout the league. We could argue that he is not good enough to be a third line player, but that is conversation that will take place in the comments.

Thumbs Up: Porter joined the team at a tough time. The team had fired their longtime head coach and was struggling to find an identity. He was able to adjust to the pressure and be a fairly decent third line player. He was used mostly in the defensive zone and the team did not allow many goals while he was on the ice.

Thumbs Down: His call up was a sign that the team was struggling mightily. He would have never played a game with the Sabres this season if the team had played to their potential. His call up was a sign of how bad things had been going with team.

Voting: Using the good old grade system of A, B, C, D, F, with A representing a great season, C an average season, and F a very poor season, grade Kevin Porter on his performance this season compared to the expectations you had for him.

What grade would you give Kevin Porter for the 2012-2013 season?