27 Curtis Lazar C

The Sabres assigned Lazar to AHL Rochester on Friday.

Conor Sheary (upper body) returned to action Thursday against the Kings, so Buffalo's no longer in need of Lazar's services as a depth forward. The 24-year-old will likely bounce between the AHL and NHL throughout the 2019-20 campaign.

Lazar was called up from AHL Rochester on Sunday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Lazar has 246 games of NHL experience but suited up for just one contest with Calgary last season as he was stashed away with AHL Stockton for nearly the entire campaign. The Sabres have a four-game slate this week, including three games on the west coast. The 24-year-old will likely be scratched in several of those but could slide into the lineup at some point.

Lazar was waived by the Sabres for the purpose of reassignment Monday.

Lazar, 24, didn't fit the mold in Calgary last year, and he spent nearly all his time with AHL Stockton, generating 20 goals and 41 points in 57 games. The 24-year-old couldn't make it with the Sabres during training camp either, so he'll land with AHL Rochester if he clears waivers. Lazar likely won't be the first call-up in the event of injuries, but it won't be surprising if he gets a few games with the big club at some point.

Lazar will sign a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Sabres on Monday, Bob McKenzie of TSN reports.

Lazar hasn't lived up to his first-round billing through the first five years of his career, but the Sabres are hoping that a change of scenery will help him tap into some of that potential. Either way, Buffalo is paying the 24-year-old the league minimum salary, so this is a classic low-risk, high-reward move. Lazar spent most of the 2018-19 campaign in the minors, notching 20 goals and 41 points in 57 contests, but he'll get an opportunity to secure a spot in the Sabres' bottom six during training camp.

Lazar wasn't issued a qualifying offer from the Flames, making him a free agent July 1.

Lazar played just one game with the big club last season, so his failure to receive an offer sheet shouldn't come as a surprise. Before this season, however, the 24-year-old racked up 51 points in 245 games split between the Flames and Ottawa. He is still in contact with Flames representatives about a long-term deal, so his days in Calgary aren't quite over yet.

Lazar was sent down to AHL Stockton prior to Thursday's 5-1 win over the Senators.

Lazar was up with the Flames as an emergency recall while Sam Bennett and Sean Monahan were out of the lineup. Bennett did pick up an upper-body injury in Thursday's contest, but it's unclear if that will lead to Lazar shuttling back to Calgary. Alan Quine, a regular call-up from March 10, remains with the team as an extra forward. Lazar managed one hit and two shots in two games during this stint.

Lazar was recalled from AHL Stockton on Monday.

Lazar is currently in his fifth pro season, and has not played a game at the NHL level this campaign. The 24-year-old currently has 37 points in 49 AHL games, and has 51 points in his NHL career. With Sean Monahan (illness) and Sam Bennett (upper body) banged up, Lazar could enter the lineup for Tuesday's game against Columbus.

Lazar was assigned to AHL Stockton on Saturday.

Lazar has not appeared at the NHL level this season, frequently serving as a healthy scratch. With the Heat, he has 16 goals and 20 assists in 46 games. He will get an opportunity for playing time at the lower level, with the Flames apparently satisfied with their current forward group.

Lazar has not made an appearance for the Flames this year.

He was summoned by the Flames on Feb. 15, but hasn't drawn into the lineup in their eight games since the recall. Lazar's done well at AHL Stockton with 36 points in 46 games in the lower league, but he's still waiting for another chance to make an impact at the NHL level.

The Flames recalled Lazar from AHL Stockton on Friday.

Lazar has been pretty productive in the minors this season, notching 16 goals and 36 points in 46 appearances. With James Neal (lower body) sidelined, Lazar will likely get an opportunity to draw into the big club's lineup immediately against the Penguins on Saturday. The 2013 first-round pick will try to produce a standout performance and make a case for remaining with the Flames down the stretch.

Lazar was assigned to AHL Stockton on Friday, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Lazar didn't have a chance to suit up for a game before facing this assignment. His best contributions are in the hits column, as he averaged two per game last season.

Despite clearing waivers, Lazar remains with the Flames for the time being, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Lazar has struggled to live up to expectations after being selected 17th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. The center has reach the 20-point mark just once in his four-year NHL career, which resulted in him seeing just 9:51 of ice time last season. Since he has already cleared waivers, the 23-year-old can be sent down at any point the rest of the year.

Lazar was waived by the Flames on Sunday, Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun reports.

Lazar played 65 games for the Flames last season and scored just 12 points, so they hope he clears waivers so they can sneak him to AHL Stockton to continue his development.

Lazar notched two goals and 10 assists in 65 games during 2017-18, while also supplying 130 hits.

Lazar was unable to best his career mark of 20 points he posted back in 2015-16, and it appears we're still waiting for the 2013 17th overall pick to make strides and translate the offensive skill he flashed in juniors to the NHL. Lazar was able to end the season on a positive note nonetheless, posting three assists in his last five games, and even though the points weren't there consistently over the season, his 130 hits were the fourth most on the team.

Lazar has recorded a single goal and assist through 16 games dating back to Jan. 4.

The 23-year-old winger has averaged just 8:37 of ice time during the 16-game slump, so it's difficult to expect much offense from him. Lazar showed promise early in his career with Ottawa, but quickly flamed out while carrying the expectations of being a first-round selection. Things clearly haven't improved in Calgary, and with just a single goal and five assists through 41 games for the campaign, it's tough to justify turning to him in any fantasy setting at this stage of the season.

Lazar hasn't recorded a point or a shot in any of his past seven games after missing the scoresheet in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win against Minnesota.

It's been a swift fall from relevancy for the 2013 first-round selection. Not only are there no signs of offense, Lazar has also been a healthy scratch five times since last registering a point Dec. 9. With an average of just 9:29 of ice time and only four assists and 19 shots through 28 games, the 22-year-old winger is off the fantasy radar in the majority of fantasy settings at this stage of season.

Lazar has only played five of the past 10 games with an average of just 8:52 of ice time per contest when in the lineup.

Now struggling to carve out a consistent role and still without a goal on the campaign, the 2013 first-round selection has failed to live up to expectations. While Lazar is just 22 years old and obviously showcased promise at points in his career, there currently aren't many fantasy settings where he warrants attention.

Lazar hasn't scored a goal this season and has recorded just two assists and 12 shots through 14 games.

With a bottom-six role and an average of just 10:41 of ice time per contest, Lazar isn't in position to succeed. However, his offensive track record at the highest level (0.21 points per game) certainly doesn't warrant an increased role. At this stage of the game, it appears the 2013 first-round selection will struggle to post worthy fantasy numbers in the majority of settings.

Lazar has recorded a single assist while averaging just 11:16 of ice time per contest through five games this season.

The 2013 first-round selection has just one goal and five points over 42 games dating back to last season, and he's even had difficulty sticking in the lineup to start this year. Lazar is currently skating in a bottom-six role and has been on the ice for just 8.5 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes this season. There aren't many fantasy settings where he's currently a reliable option.

Lazar will make his season debut Saturday night versus the visiting Jets, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

With Jaromir Jagr (visa) still not ready to go, that's opened the door for Lazar to slot into the lineup on the third line alongside Kris Versteeg and Sam Bennett. Originally drafted by Ottawa -- he was taken in the first round (17th overall) in 2013 -- Lazar managed just four points in 37 games between the Sens and Flames in 2016-17. Still, he cleared 100-plus hits in his first two seasons, so at least there's that.