Nathan Gerbe had two goals in the pre-season for Buffalo. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)Nathan Gerbe will have to wait a bit longer to prove he belongs in the NHL.
The diminutive forward prospect was among six players assigned Friday by the Buffalo Sabres to their minor league affiliate in Portland, Maine.
Tim Kennedy was also sent to the American Hockey League team, while fellow forwards Mathieu Darche and Mark Mancari were placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Portland.
Gerbe, Buffalo's fifth-round draft pick in 2005, signed a three-year deal potentially worth $2.55 million US in May after he led Boston College to the U.S. collegiate title.
The feisty five-foot-five, 160-pound forward tied an NCAA tournament record with seven goals. In the regular season, he led the U.S. in scoring with 68 points (35 goals) in 43 games.
Gerbe scored his second goal of the NHL pre-season in Thursday's 5-2 win over Columbus.
Kennedy, a sixth-round pick in 2005, signed a two-year deal potentially worth $1.7 million US in June.
The Buffalo native led Michigan State in scoring for a second consecutive year, tying a career high with 43 points (20 goals) last season. He also helped the Spartans win the 2007 NCAA championship.
The Sabres also sent forwards Dylan Hunter and Marek Zagrapan and defencemen Chris Butler and Michael Funk to Portland.
With files from the Associated Press
