Varone has been assigned to AHL Rochester.

EDGE Analysis

Varone picked up an assist and logged 10:40 of ice time Friday night against the Canadiens as a replacement for Daniel Catenacci, who sustained a head injury and was placed on injured reserve. Before Varone can take the next step in the NHL, he'll need to work on his line defense. The 25-year-old has a minus-22 rating even in the minors this season.

Varone was recalled by the Sabres on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Daniel Catenacci was placed on injured reserve with a head injury Friday, so Varone will slot into the lineup as a bottom-six forward during his absence. Varone, a former fifth-round pick, is expected to skate with David Legwand and Justin Bailey on the Sabres' fourth line in Friday's game against the Canadiens.

Varone will join the flood of players heading to the AHL on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Varone was brought up to Buffalo on Jan. 16 and saw action in four contests before being a healthy scratch for the Sabres' last two outings. Therefore it is not a shock to see him return to the AHL. In 19 games with the Americans this season, the young center has been dynamic, scoring 10 goals and nine helpers in 33 games.

Varone has been recalled from AHL Rochester, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Varone has yet to earn a full-time role in the NHL, he contributes at a decent rate offensively. In 33 games with the minor-league affiliate Americans this season, the 25-year-old has picked up 10 goals and nine assists. Varone does need to improve away from his own zone, however, as he takes a break from the AHL after posting an ugly minus-20 rating.

Varone was one of 10 players cut by the Sabres on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Varone will have to clear waivers before suiting up for AHL Rochester, but he is unlikely to be claimed. The reigning scoring champ in Rochester over the past two seasons, Varone is an effective scoring machine in the minors, but his lack of size and average defensive play works against him in the NHL. He'll certainly be one of Buffalo's call-ups should the need arise.

Varone signed a one-year (two-way) deal worth $600,000 at the NHL level on Monday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports. Varone played in 28 games with the Sabres in 2014-15, notching a total of five points over that span. He will likely return to his bottom-six role with the Sabres at the start of 2015-16, but will probably spend time in both the NHL and AHL this season.

Varone will be given a qualifying offer by the Sabres, reports The Buffalo News. The diminutive center continues to battle and defy the odds. Despite playing in just 55 games with AHL Rochester, Varone finished as the team's leading scorer for the second consecutive season, and in 28 games with Buffalo managed three goals and five points and an ugly minus-14 rating. The 24-year-old has played four seasons in the AHL and may not be so interested in a two-way deal, but his past performance indicates that he may not be talented enough to be a consistent NHL scorer and too small to play a checking role. Varone's training camp performance will dictate where he plays, and right now remains off the fantasy radar.

Varone was demoted to AHL Rochester on Monday to finish the season. Varone got his chance when the Sabres were hit by a rash of injuries and finishes the NHL season with 28 games and five points, both career-highs. The diminutive center is a proven AHL scorer but did little to convince the Sabres that he can replicate his success at the NHL level. At 24 years old, Varone is entering crossroads in his career, and despite the Sabres' search for young talent at the moment, may not have a long-term future with the club. However, Varone can still finish the season as Rochester's top scorer with 43 points in 52 games so far, which would make him the Amerks' top scorer for the second consecutive season.

Varnoe was dropped to the second line from the first line at Monday's practice, reports Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News. Varone collected two points Friday against Ottawa but was held off the score sheet Saturday against Washington. Johan Larsson had a stronger showing Saturday, which may have precipitated Varone's demotion, though it's tough to gauge which center will be the better performer each night. The Sabres are fostering some competition within the team as Varone and Larsson audition for regular roles next year. However, in the grand scheme of things it may not matter whether Varone or Larsson is the team's top center since the team has trouble scoring in general.

Varone scored his third goal of the season and had an assist in Friday's loss to the Senators. The new Sabres' top-line center now has four points in 11 games on the season. He's posted strong assist totals in the AHL, so the 24-year-old should be able to put up decent point totals with Tyler Ennis and Matt Moulson on his wings in his second NHL season.