Nelson makes the club, Carter cut

The Buffalo Sabres finalized their opening-day roster on Tuesday, and former Minnesota State defenseman and last season's WCHA defensive player of the year Casey Nelson made the team. Nelson signed with the Sabres shortly after the Mavericks' season ended in March and immediately made his NHL debut, impressing many of the team's followers. The Sabres will open the season on Thursday at home against Montreal.

Another former Mavericks player, forward Tyler Pitlick, made the opening-day roster for the Edmonton Oilers. He has played in 27 career games in the NHL, none last season, having battled several injuries since signing after his freshman season at MSU.

Meanwhile, an older former Mavericks, Ryan Carter, was released by the Wild earlier this week, and his career may be over, according to the Star Tribune, as he contemplates shoulder surgery. Carter is 33. He has played in 473 regular-season games over nine seasons, including 113 with his hometown Wild. Carter actually played in parts of 10 seasons. His first NHL experience came in the 2007 playoffs when he won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks.

With the start of the NHL season this week, it will be interesting to see what happens with the former Mavericks. How will David Backes fit in with the Boston Bruins (just fine, it appears)? And who might be the next MSU alum to skate in the major leagues?