Evan Rankin anyone? An Amerks update

Right winger Evan Rankin may be returning to the Rochester Americans.

The slippery veteran was a key component in the team's offense for a season and a half, and has been given his release in the German league so he can play in the American Hockey League.

Rankin, 28, has been playing for the Kolner Haie Sharks. He had produced 2 goals, 1 assist and 3 points in 18 games.

The team website said that the parties had agreed to terminate his contract, and that he "will be playing for the Rochester Americans."

Ah, but not so fast.

Before any player returning from Europe mid-season can join an AHL team, he must first pass through AHL waivers. The waiver process is just like the NHL, with the worst-team points-percentage wise having claim priority.

Would another team claim Rankin? It's sure possible. He has been a pretty reliable scorer in the AHL.

He joined the Amerks in January of 2012 and produced 15-14-29 in 35 games. The following season, when injuries forced him to miss 28 games, he scored 14-17-31 in 48 games.

Rankin played last season with the Syracuse Crunch (16-14-30 in 62 games).

Players must be on North American soil and signed by Feb. 1.

The Amerks very likely are taking a proactive approach to what could be a roster shuffle in the days and weeks leading up to the March 2 NHL trade deadline.

The parent Buffalo Sabres will surely be unloading dead weight, or even quality players that have value in the form of ready-made young NHLers, or draft picks.

If Joel Armia, Mikhail Grigorenko or others go up to the Sabres, the Amerks will need proven scorers if they have any hope of maintaining any sort of push toward a playoff berth.

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• Today's practice resembled October; five full forward lines and eight defensemen.

The lines:

Dan Catenacci/Mikhail Grigorenko/Joel Armia

William Carrier/Johan Larsson/Zac Dalpe

Jerry D'Amigo/Phil Varone/Brodie Reid

Matt Ellis/Tim Schaller/Brayden Irwin

Jordan Samuels-Thomas/Justin Kea/Allan McPherson

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• Forward Kevin Sundher has rejoined the team after a bout with a medical ailment that began during the Christmas break. He did not skate today.

He had been unable to fly due to an infection, coach Chadd Cassidy said, and lost about 15 to 20 pounds.

Cassidy said he needs to regain some weight and strength before he returns to practice.

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• The ECHL is on its All-Star break, so the extra players are staying for the moment.