News and notes from around the NHL this evening:
- New Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill spoke to media following the conclusion of the Sabres’ development camp, and says the team is still looking for UFAs, reports Jourdon LaBarber of NHL.com. Botterill says that the team weighs whether to add a player via free agency, or wait and see if something materializes trade-wise. Botterill’s position represents every GM’s quandary in the off-season as no GM wants to miss out on a trade opportunity after filling a need with a higher-priced UFA. But at the same time, no GM wants to be waiting so long that they paint themselves in a corner and their options dwindle to nothing.
- Staying with the Sabres, the team’s top priorities right now, according to LaBarber, are signing its RFAs. Robin Lehner remains the team’s most important RFA available, and as of now has an arbitration date for July 27, 2017. Most—if not all—players come to deals before the actual arbitration hearings, so expect both parties to agree to terms before then.
- The ECHL Florida Everblades extended a roster spot offer to legendary NHL veteran Jaromir Jagr. While this was done mainly for publicity reasons and slightly tongue-in-cheek, the team does offer a variety of enticing benefits for Jagr. The team would allow Jagr to play only Friday and Saturday home games, the #68 jersey, the potential to see an alligator in the pond next to the arena, and a sleeper bus stocked with Diet Coke and muffins.
What kind of muffins we talkin’ about?
Interesting add, diet coke and muffins! He would want them stocked with Czech models. Then he would say yes for sure