"The Buffalo Sabres insist they are just investigating everything, trying to find ways to improve the organization under owner Terry Pegula. It appears one improvement would be to reunite with the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres have had talks to purchase the Amerks, a source said Tuesday. The Amerks were the Sabres' minor-league club for 29 years, and they are without an NHL affiliate following the expiration of their contract with the Florida Panthers.

The Associated Press quoted a source as saying the Sabres have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to buy the American Hockey League club.

Jason Chaimovitch, the AHL's vice president of communications, told The Buffalo News a sale would require the approval of the AHL board of governors, and the group has not been approached.

The Sabres said neither team President Ted Black nor General Manager Darcy Regier had anything to add to their recent comments. Black said during a phone call with The News last week the Sabres are investigating numerous aspects of their organization, including their minor-league situation.

Regier has pledged his support for the Portland Pirates, who replaced the Amerks as the Sabres' affiliate in 2008-09. Portland and Buffalo signed a long-term extension of the agreement in March 2010, and Regier said the Sabres were interested in keeping the partnership.

"That's the plan right now," Regier told the Maine Hockey Journal on May 7. "This has been a great relationship. The city is terrific. There are no negatives; I guess you point to the geographical issue as the only one. Again, when you look at the job everyone has done here, it's been a great relationship for us."