Just a few days after Kevin Dineen spoke about filling out the forwards on Portland’s roster with quality players Darcy Regier took heed. The Sabres have inked the 6’2″ center to a 1-year 2-way contract. Colin Stuart (who is the older brother of Mark) has bounced around the league since being drafted by Atlanta in the 5th round in 2001.
Stuart has had a reasonable career as a depth player in the AHL and has played 51 NHL games (all with Atlanta) with some success. However he has never stuck with a team. He was traded to the Maple Leafs, who immediately turned him over to the Calgary Flames. Stuart played college hockey at Colorado College.
Stuart is a solid veteran addition to Portland’s roster and will likely play on the second or third line to start the year. If a lot of depth injuries strike the Sabres early in the season (and with an old bottom 6, they might) you could see him get called up. Look for 1-2 more forwards to be signed in the next few weeks for the Portland system and possibly 1 more defenseman, rumored to be Nolan Pratt.