The Buffalo Sabres were eliminated from any post season chances on Thursday night so they have sent Marcus Foligno and Corey Tropp back to the Amerks.  The two players will join the Amerks in Hamilton for the game on Saturday night.

I think it’s safe to say these final five games for Rochester will be the last five regular season games that Foligno ever puts on an Amerks sweater.  The season started with him getting into a fight in the first week, to questioning if he knew how to pass the puck to becoming a dominant player who earned a call up and has been an important part of the Buffalo Sabres roster.  He’s proven he can be an NHL player every night.  If he isn’t already penciled into the Sabres lineup for next season it’d be a big surprise.

Back in early February I wrote a short novel about Foligno developing into a dominant player, you can read that here (warning: it’s long).

Corey Tropp has also been sent back to the Amerks.  He’s proven he has a future in the NHL as well, maybe not as quickly as Foligno but he can quickly get back there next season.

For those fans who say they go to games just to see players before they move up don’t miss out on the last two Amerks home games next week on Tuesday and Friday.

Foligno and Tropp will be of help against Hamilton, a game the team needs to win.  The Amerks are missing out on McNabb and Brennan more than Foligno and Tropp but any help is needed.  With five games left the Amerks need to win at least three and get a point in another or win four out of the five.

Two back, two more to go.  Brayden McNabb and TJ Brennan should be expected back with the Amerks on Sunday in Glens Falls.