Buffalo Sabres brass scouts Amerks

Pat LaFontaine says the Rochester Americans will be a vital part of future success for the Buffalo Sabres, one reason he has been in town two of the past three nights.

"They're our bloodline, our lifeline," LaFontaine, the Sabres president of hockey operations, said during the first intermission of Friday's Amerks game vs. the Utica Comets.

LaFontaine was given control of the hockey department on Nov. 13 and his visits to Rochester are part of his organizational review.

"Assessing and analyzing top to bottom," he said.

That includes draft picks, veterans and the coaching staff in Rochester.

An overhaul of the NHL front office can often mean changes throughout the organization. LaFontaine said he gave coach Ted Nolan the "interim" tag so whoever is hired as general manager can make his own decision. Nolan made the trip Friday with LaFontaine.

Amerks coach Chadd Cassidy and assistants Chris Taylor and John Wroblewski were hired by the Regier regime.

LaFontaine said "you take a more patient approach" when evaluating staff members. "I think everybody's deserving of a chance first," he said, "and then you can evaluate."

He said he has conducted at least one interview for the general manager's job this week but wouldn't reveal the name(s). He did say his original short list has grown.

LaFontaine said "character is the No. 1 thing" he will want when it comes time to signing veterans for Rochester.

That's the same blue print fired general manager Darcy Regier used this past off-season when the organization signed Mike Zigomanis, Matt Ellis, Drew Bagnall and Jamie Tardif.

He also said the Amerks must play the same systems as the Sabres, something Cassidy and fired Buffalo coach Ron Rolston wanted to do.

KEVINO@DemocratandChronicle.com

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