Buffalo Sabres a Potential Trade Destination for Top 6 NHL Forward
The start of NHL free agency begins at noon, EST on Wednesday and already we’re seeing moves by the Buffalo Sabres with their own pending UFA’s.
The Sabres re-either both forward Vinnie Hinostroza and goaltender Malcolm Subban to one-year contracts. Subban’s is a two-way contract, which means he’s likely to play his fair share of games in Rochester with the Amerks.
The Sabres will likely sign a couple of players, although the chances of them landing a top-line level forward are slim. They do need another goaltender as well, and perhaps the re-signing of Subban will entice his older brother, defenseman P.K. Subban signing as a free agent with Buffalo.
The trade market is another avenue to land a player for general manager Kevyn Adams and another player is linked to the Sabres.
According to Elliott’s Friedman, the Philadelphia Flyers are looking to move winger James van Riemsdyk and the Sabres are one of teams who are interested.
The thinking is the Flyers want to move out enough salary to sign a big-name free agent. van Riemsdyk has one year remaining on his contract with a $7 million cap hit.
van Riemsdyk was the 2nd overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, which is the draft that Buffalo native Patrick Kane went 1st overall to the Chicago Blackhawks.
van Riemsdyk scored 24 goals last season with the Flyers, the team he started his career with before having his best offensive years with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 33-year-old winger is on the downside of his career, and with the Flyers eager to get rid of his contract, they would likely need to give a team an asset with van Riemsdyk to take on the $7 million.
The Sabres were willing to do so with Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray, before he declined to move his no-trade clause to go to Buffalo, and general manager Kevyn Adams took on Ben Bishop’s contract from the Dallas Stars.
We will wait and see if van Riemsdyk is moved and if it’s to the Sabres.