While the Sabres will likely try to add to their roster between now and the trade deadline as they continue to chase down a playoff spot, their focus at the moment is dealing with one of their own players. In an appearance on WGR 550 (audio link), TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated that the top priority for GM Jason Botterill is getting an extension done with pending UFA winger Jeff Skinner. The 26-year-old is among the league leaders in goals with 30 and is on pace to set new career highs in goals and points. That has him poised to land a significant raise on his current $5.725MM AAV, something that Buffalo would clearly like to have wrapped up sooner than later.
More from the Eastern Conference:
- The Bruins have a pair of distinct needs in a third line center and a second line winger. Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic suggests (subscription required) that the strong showing from recently-recalled winger Peter Cehlarik should help push Boston in the direction of addressing the vacancy down the middle first. While he’s only a couple of games in, the early returns are promising while the team has other young players that they can use on the wing in the top six if need be. However, that depth isn’t as plentiful at center and if GM Don Sweeney only has enough trade capital to address one of those holes, Shinzawa believes it should be that one. Cehlarik continuing his strong start would make that decision much easier.
- It has been a rough first season in North America for Capitals goalie prospect Ilya Samsonov. He has posted a 3.40 GAA and a .871 SV% in 19 games with AHL Hershey but the team doesn’t appear to be too concerned. Speaking with reporters including J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington, GM Brian MacLellan stated that Samsonov is about where they expected him to be in his rookie year, acknowledging that they figured he’d be up and down throughout the year. Based on how he has performed though, it’s hard to envision them bringing him up for next season with Pheonix Copley set to become an unrestricted free agent so Washington will likely have to either re-sign or replace Copley via the open market this summer.
Kevin Hayes can play down the middle or on the wing. He’d make sense in boston.
b’s could be looking for a short-term goalie – tuukka took a nasty hit
Dirty hip to head from the new yawk raggity broads right into Rask’s face, can’t say McAvoy had too much power behind his nudge either of the guy either. Don’t know HOW OR WHY he jumped up into the air and flew into Rask, but it was beyond suspect. That said, can’t blame that horse toothed guy Filip completely for Rask’s injury. Just too bad the Bruins were too classy to take a run at old Queen Henry in net for the worst OG 6 franchise, aka the rags. What a bunch of losers. Enjoy that FRAUD win, can’t wait to destroy you bums in the next match up.