A second-round pick from 2008, the 24-year-old power forward took three years to finally score 29 goals again, his highest total since his rookie AHL season. Adam’s strong performance led to a 12-game audition with the Sabres where he managed to score just once. Though Adam often teases with his rare mix of physical play and scoring touch, his uneven production and effort levels are often a concern. On a re-building team, Adam’s play will dictate whether or not he has a role in the Sabres’ future plans, and this could very well be his last chance.
Adam has seen his production go south following the 2010-11 season, in which he was named the AHL’s Outstanding Rookie. Aside from a quick start in 2011-12, he has been unable to stick with the big club, and struggled during a 37-point campaign with AHL Rochester last season. He signed a one-year deal in the offseason, but will need an impressive showing to remain in the Sabres’ long term plans. The bottom of the roster is open for competition at training camp, but the smart bet is on Adam spending more time at the AHL level, with the potential for a mid-season recall.
Adam looked like an early Calder candidate last season with 11 points in 11 games out of the gate. He hit a mid-season swoon and was sent to AHL Rochester, where his struggles continued. He was a point-per-game player at the AHL level in twos seasons ago, so he remains a player with serious offensive upside. Big, powerful wingers rarely develop in a straight line, so keeper leaguers will have to be patient with the Newfoundland native. Adam will compete for a spot with the Sabres at training camp, but don't be surprised to see him start the season in the AHL again.
Barring a bad camp, Adam figures to break camp and spend 2011-12 with the Sabres, who are very thin at the center position. Adam appeared in 19 games with Buffalo in 2010-11, scoring three times while adding an assist. He was named the AHL's Outstanding Rookie of the Year last season in Portland, after amassing 62 points (29 G, 33 A) in 57 games with the Pirates. He's not going to be a prime scorer with the big club just yet, but there's also plenty of upside here.
Adam is one of the top five prospects in the Buffalo organization, and is coming off of a breakout season with Cape Breton in the QMJHL. The native of St. John's, Newfoundland has 90 points (49 G, 41 A) in 2009-10, and will most likely be with Buffalo's AHL affiliate in Portland this season. He is the type of player the Sabres need more of, a guy who is great in front of the net, with good size who can be an asset on the power play.
Last season a ruptured spleen cut Adam's season short, limiting the prospect to just 47 games. In that short time he was able to net 22 goals and 27 assists. Although he is still a couple of years away from the NHL, Adam remains among the Sabres' top prospects that can bring some bulk to their forward line
Adam has fantastic hands and the ability to score around the net, yet his skating needs work and he needs to learn to use his size more to his advantage. He should spend 2008-09 in juniors and is likely at least three years away from the NHL.
