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Buffalo Sabres Sign Evan Rodrigues

By Melissa Kania

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If all goes according to plan, the Buffalo Sabres may have a pair of former Boston University Terriers forwards on their roster next season.

Reports Tuesday night indicated that the Buffalo Sabres are signing Evan Rodrigues, who just finished his senior year of college hockey at Boston University.

And yes – you guessed it – he played on a line with potential future Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel.

UPDATE: Agent Brian Bartlett confirmed the signing via Twitter on Wednesday morning. The Buffalo Sabres also officially announced the signing.

The initial report came in via WEEI 93.7’s college blog, linked here.

The deal was then confirmed by TSN’s Bob McKenzie, who reported Tuesday evening that it is a two-year deal with the team.

The Daily Free Press, out of Boston, also confirmed the signing.

Rodrigues was an assistant captain for BU this season. In four years with the team, he talled 121 points and helped lead BU to a Beanpot title, a Hockey East championship and an appearance in the NCAA Championship. He previously played for the OJHL’s Georgetown Raiders.

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A native of Etobicoke, Ontario, he won multiple awards this season with BU, including “Most Outstanding Player” and an award for enthusiasm and leadership.

Rodrigues, 21, ranked second in the country overall this season with 61 points in 41 games, while playing on a line with Eichel. Rodrigues can play either left or right-wing and is said to be “a stellar two-way player.”

BU coach David Quinn called Rodrigues one of the “smartest college hockey players” he’s ever coached.

This would be a solid signing for the Sabres, for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, Rodrigues has been a strong player and would make a great addition to the team on his own. But add in the potential/likely drafting of his linemate Eichel, and you’ve got a two-man tandem that will be absolutely dangerous in the blue & gold next season.

This could also help draw Eichel to Buffalo – rather than returning to BU – if he knows he’s already got a friend and former linemate here. Though they probably won’t play on the same line together in Buffalo, wouldn’t it be a nice to draw to have them in the organization together?

Initial fan reactions to the reports of signing Rodrigues were generally positive:

With that news also came the report – via Bob McKenzie, once again – that the Sabres are out on goaltender Matt O’Connor.

So — what do you guys think about this signing?

Next: Sabres Will Pick Second in NHL Draft

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