Do We Scout Enough In WNY?

I was watching Alex Iafallo play for LA the other day and I was wondering why we didn't make a play for the Eden NY native.  As we have learned this season (and last). you can't have enough depth in your system.  In recent years we have signed college FAs like Smith and Nelson while making offers to Vesey and Caggiula.  It seems that Iafallo, a 6'0" center with a very similar college career to Caggiula, didn't even get a look from Jbot this past summer despite our lack of any pro level center prospects and Jbot's affection for college players.

This lead me to wonder again if we scout enough locally. It's a question I've wondered about ever since DR drafted a Swedish D in the first round when local kid and son of Sabres legend Mike Foligno, Nick Foligno, was still on the board in 2006.  WNY has produced it's share of excellent NHLers.  Kane, obviously tops the list, but Orpik, Dustin Brown, Callahan, the Gionta Brothers, the Foligno boys, Stempniak, Eric Cole, Tim Connolly, and Marchant are all from Buffalo to Syracuse, yet none of these players, except Marcus Foligno was ever drafted by the Sabres.  With so much good local youth hockey from Erie PA (the OHL Otters) to South Ontario and WNY you'd think the local team would uncover a local gem or two, but that has never happened.

Admittedly we have had local kids on and off over the years such as Kaleta, Connolly, Tim Kennedy, Rory Fitzpatrick and Nichols boys Peter Ciavaglia and Scott Thomas.  Connolly's 464 games with the Sabres tops the locals with Kaleta edging Marcus Foligno 348 games to 347 for 2nd and 3rd.  Gionta played 230.  

While I understand the place a prospects/player is from can't be the primary factor on whether or not to sign, draft or otherwise acquire someone, I think it should be part of the Sabres's process. In fact, when drafting, when deciding between two players, maybe the local ties should be significant factor in breaking the tie.  Since college FAs are a bit of a crap shoot anyway, the local ties should also hold some sway.  Why do I think this?  The Sabres are a significant part of the identity of the Buffalo community.  TP's emphasis on making Buffalo one of the top hockey destinations for the world is working.  From the Combine to the World Jrs, TP has done a masterful job.  Now the NHL franchise needs to succeed, but wouldn't it be nice if local kids like Malone and Bailey are part of the that success.  Also the Sabres serve as a goal for the local youth hockey player.