Prospect In Depth: Mike Weber, Sekera to the big club?
Posted 8:58 PM ET | Comments 7
The Buffalo Sabres continued to stock the farm system this week by adding another young player to the fold, agreeing to an entry level contract with Defenseman Mike Weber.
Weber, a 6-2, 199 pound defenseman was a physical force for the Windsor Spitfires the past few seasons, racking up 181 penalty minutes in 2005-06.
Weber has been compared to former Sabres defenseman Jay Mckee, both in manneurisms and style of play. Weber likes to take the body and plays a solid game in his own end. While not overly skilled, Weber isn't afraid to pinch in on the offensive side when needed.
His presence in camp does however make for an interesting start to training camp for the Sabres. Under their current deal with their AHL affiliate in Rochester, the Sabres are limited to only 10 players on the Amerk squad. Weber's signing currently leaves the team with 12 eligible players. This could open the door for another defenseman to make the jump to Buffalo in training camp.
Enter Andrej Sekera.
The 21 year old Slovak defenseman struggled at times in Rochester last season, but did seem to get his game together later in the season and in the playoffs for the Amerks. Known more for his offensive upside and leadership skills after captaining the Slovak junior team in the WJC's, Sekera plays a great all around game and is projected to be a top 3 defenseman in this league, much in the mold of Kings D Lubomir Visnovski.
If he develops on pace as projected, look for him to make a big push to unseat perennial dissapointment Dmitri Kalinin for the 7 spot on the Buffalo blueline
Weber, a 6-2, 199 pound defenseman was a physical force for the Windsor Spitfires the past few seasons, racking up 181 penalty minutes in 2005-06.
Weber has been compared to former Sabres defenseman Jay Mckee, both in manneurisms and style of play. Weber likes to take the body and plays a solid game in his own end. While not overly skilled, Weber isn't afraid to pinch in on the offensive side when needed.
His presence in camp does however make for an interesting start to training camp for the Sabres. Under their current deal with their AHL affiliate in Rochester, the Sabres are limited to only 10 players on the Amerk squad. Weber's signing currently leaves the team with 12 eligible players. This could open the door for another defenseman to make the jump to Buffalo in training camp.
Enter Andrej Sekera.
The 21 year old Slovak defenseman struggled at times in Rochester last season, but did seem to get his game together later in the season and in the playoffs for the Amerks. Known more for his offensive upside and leadership skills after captaining the Slovak junior team in the WJC's, Sekera plays a great all around game and is projected to be a top 3 defenseman in this league, much in the mold of Kings D Lubomir Visnovski.
If he develops on pace as projected, look for him to make a big push to unseat perennial dissapointment Dmitri Kalinin for the 7 spot on the Buffalo blueline
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Good analysis.
Good work, I was not that familiar with Weber.
Great analysis. I didn't know they had such a coveted d-man in Sekera.. how far off is he from getting a full-time job with the big boys you think?
good job capt always nice to see guys know their team
Sekera needed some experience last year, but I saw some impressive things in one of his games up with the big club. He might be ready this year, but I doubt it; unless some moves are made I think he stays in rochester for one more year, as many others have done before him (stafford, pommer, NP come to mind)
Ron, I think he could end up as a full time player by 08-09. Brian Campbell is a UFA after next season and he could certainly fill an offensive void if Campbell were to leave. As far as being the 7th, it wouldnt surprise me at all if he ended up with it this year. I doubt they want to carry an expensive 7th D man like a Paetsch or kalinin
I too like Sekera. I'm not sure he is anything more than a #7 D-man, however I find that unlikely unless Buffalo makes some sort of move on that front prior to the season opening. I have never seen Weber play, but everything I have read about him is positive. I keep pretty good tabs on the prospects on www.hockeysfuture.com. Thought I'd offer that website to anyone who is interested. Funny thing is, in the middle of the 05-06 season, Drew Stafford was listed on this site as nothing more than a future 3rd or 4th line player. Nevertheless, good site.