Amerks open new season on Friday with high expectations

Expectations this season are high for the Rochester Americans.
Last year, the Amerks made the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and they feel as if they're ready to take the next step in 2018-19.
"We think we have all the pieces here - if they stay together and we work together - to have a championship team," Amerks general manager Randy Sexton told Andrew Peters and Craig Rivet on The Instigators on Tuesday.
"Every championship team I've been involved with, you need speed, skill, depth, goaltending, toughness, grit. We think we've assembled that all in Rochester."

When Sabres general manager Jason Botterill took the job in Buffalo last summer, it wasn't long before he hired Sexton as his assistant general manager tasked with leading the Amerks. Sexton was previously a colleague of Botterill's in the Penguins front office.
Almost immediately, they tried to establish Rochester as a place where young players could properly develop while also experiencing success. It starts with an open dialogue between the players and staff, led by head coach Chris Taylor who is entering his second season behind the bench.
"We've worked on in the short time we've been in Buffalo and Rochester to build relationships with our players. That's the wave of the future," Sexton said.
"…Our players have come to learn that we genuinely care about them as people, that we genuinely care about them as professional hockey players and that we have a common goal. And that is to help you get where you want to get to and where we want you to get to - and that's Buffalo and the National Hockey League."
The Amerks will be led by some familiar faces.
Defenseman Zach Redmond led the team in scoring last season with 47 points (15+32). C.J. Smith had an outstanding rookie season despite being hindered with a late-season ankle injury. He posted 17 goals and 44 points in 57 games.
Alexander Nylander and Brendan Guhle made strong pushes to make the Sabres opening night roster, but it was ultimately decided that some more time in the AHL would be beneficial to their long-term development.
Nylander, Buffalo's top pick in 2016, skated in three NHL games last season and recorded his first goal.

"He did everything we asked of him in the offseason. He trained hard. He changed some of training regimen. He came to Buffalo early, and as a result, he had a fantastic camp," Sexton said. "And he's close. My God, if you think about where he was a year ago to where he is today in terms of becoming an NHL player, he's made tremendous strides. He has the skill to be an offensive player. We believe that. He believes that."
While the skill set is undeniable, Sexton said that Nylander needs to continue working on his 1-on-1 battles and his play without the puck.

For Guhle, Sexton believes he just needs some more time to round out his game before he's ready for full-time NHL action. Guhle (second round, 2015) posted five assists in 18 games with the Sabres last year.
"We were clear with Brendan when he had our meeting with him a few days ago that he's made great progress. His camp this year was significantly stronger than last year," Sexton said. "But like any young player, he's got some things to work on. So we walked him through that. He agreed with us. He was happy about his camp, not happy about starting the season in Rochester, but watching the first seven or eight minutes of practice here, it's clear he's come here with a clear mind, a great attitude.
"…It's a long road to get to the NHL. We're trying to build an organization where the road to Buffalo goes through Rochester and he's one of the players that needs to spend some time here. We certainly have high hopes for him."
Justin Bailey, Kyle Criscuolo, Taylor Fedun, Danny O'Regan and Kevin Porter will also form a large part of the Amerks more veteran core. Sean Malone is recovering from a knee injury sustained during the Sabres preseason and will likely be back in Rochester once he's ready.
The team has added some fresh faces for the upcoming season.

Rasmus Asplund (2016, second round), Victor Olofsson (2014, seventh round) and Lawrence Pilut (undrafted free agent) are coming over from the professional ranks in Sweden for their first North American campaigns.
Andrew Oglevie (free agent), William Borgen (2015, third round) and Brandon Hickey (acquired in a trade with Arizona) were in college last season and are now prepping for their first seasons as pros.
Rochester will also have a new goaltender between the pipes. Scott Wedgewood signed an NHL deal on July 1 and will hold down the fort with Adam Wilcox.

And changes are always possible. On Monday, Buffalo acquired defenseman Jack Dougherty from Nashville for forward Nick Baptiste. Dougherty, a Predators' second-round pick in 2014, has yet to play in an NHL game, but has skated in 141 games for the Milwaukee Admirals over the last two seasons.
Sexton believes he'll benefit from a fresh start with a new organization.
"He's a player whose game is far more substance than style. He's just a very, very reliable defense-first defenseman," he said. "He'll provide some support offensively, but his real forte is strong defensive play."
He does, however, join a crowded blue line and Sexton wouldn't have it any other way.
"We've got terrific depth here and we hope we're able to maintain that depth through lack of injury," Sexton said, "but we were clear with the players today that you'll get an opportunity, but your opportunity to play will come directly from your practice habits and the commitment you make in the gym and on the ice in the week leading up to the game."

Don't miss Opening Weekend

Opening Night festivities in Rochester begin with a special two-hour Party on the Patio presented by Genesee Brew House on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. on the riverside of The Blue Cross Arena prior to the Amerks 2018-19 Home Opener presented by Pepsi. The event will feature live music from Big Eyed Phish and $2 drafts of Genesee and Genesee Light for fans 21 and older. Fans will also have the chance to win some great prizes throughout the event, including a set of custom-made Amerks cornhole boards autographed by this year's team.
Pat Duffy, host of the morning radio talk show "The Break Room" on 96.5 WCMF, will be on hand to emcee the event. The doors to the general public will open at 6 p.m.
Fans in attendance will also receive a 2018-19 Amerks magnet schedule courtesy of Nissan. Prior to the game, there will be special pregame introductions of this year's team on the ice.