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Evander Kane

Sabres Call Up Justin Bailey

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The Buffalo Sabres may only be five games into the season, but they are already in a must-win situation with only one point to show for their efforts. Buffalo is tied with Arizona for the worst record in the league at 0-4-1 and for the worst goal differential at -11. It’s also been a top-heavy effort, with 20 of the 28 player points so far coming from just three players: Jack Eichel, Evander Kane, and Jason Pominville. It’s clear that Buffalo needs balance and they need talent if they are to go anywhere in 2017-18.

Looking for that spark, the Sabres have announced this morning that they have recalled young forward Justin Bailey from the AHL’s Rochester Americans. The 22-year-old was a 2013 second-round pick and at 6’4″, 214-lbs., has grown into a physical, power forward. In 40 NHL games over the past two seasons, Bailey has only recorded four points, but down in the minors he has continued to be a proven goal-scorer just as he was in the OHL. With little reason to not play any promising, young players, it appears now could finally be the time for Bailey to stick in Buffalo. The team is in dire need of energy and ability, both of which Bailey has in spades. While Kane and, to some extent, Zemgus Girgensons both play a power forward game, the Sabres lost a ton of physicality in the off-season departures of Marcus Foligno and William Carrier. The top-nine needs another big body who can crash the net and make things happen. If Bailey is ready to step up at the highest level, he is well-suited to fill that role and could develop into a key piece of the Sabres’ 2017-18 campaign.

The down side to Bailey’s promotion is that it is due to the opening of a roster spot. The Sabres have additionally placed defenseman Zach Bogosian on the injured reserve. Bogosian has yet to play this season due to an undisclosed injury suffered in the preseason and doesn’t appear to be returning any time soon. A very capable defenseman who provides a boost to any lineup, Bogosian unfortunately is simply not in the lineup enough. The 26-year-old blue liner has not played more than 65 games in a season since he was a teenager with the Atlanta Thrashers. In 2016-17, he suited up for just 56 games and posted a career-low 11 points. Bailey might be a big help for the Sabres, but they also need a healthy, effective Bogosian if they want to maximize their production this season.

Poll: Will Evander Kane End The Year With Buffalo?

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The Buffalo Sabres were blown out by the New Jersey Devils today 6-2, booed off the ice by their home fans. Still, Evander Kane was able to score twice and generally looked like one of the most dangerous players on the ice. While the Sabres may have their fair share of troubles this season, Kane remains one of the most promising power forwards in the league, capable of a 30-goal season at any time.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Sabres then will be where Kane’s future lies. The 26-year old is in his final season before unrestricted free agency, and would enter the market as one of the very top options available. Kane has been involved in trade rumors for nearly his whole Buffalo career, especially last summer before he put up another solid season. In 2016-17, Kane scored 28 goals and showed that he could score in a variety of manners. Teams around the league would pay a hefty ransom for a player like that, even if he does come with some off-ice concerns.

So, what will the Sabres do with him? The new regime, led by GM Jason Botterill could certainly lock him up to a long-term deal and have him ride shotgun with Jack Eichel for the next several years, but his true value could lie on the trade market. If the team is out of the race by the trade deadline, he could command a steep price from a contender looking for a piece to put them over the top. Adding a potential 30-goal forward, who you could possibly get under contract down the stretch would be worth several important pieces and could set up the Sabres for more long-term success. If they’re in the race though, how can they justify trading one of their best offensive weapons?

Below is a poll asking whether you think Kane will finish the season as a member of the Buffalo Sabres. If you vote yes, explain in the comments if you believe he’ll get an extension with the Sabres to stay long-term. If no, tell us where you think he’ll be traded and for what kind of package.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

Morning Notes: Nash, Maple Leafs, Lightning

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Even if John Tavares does re-sign with the New York Islanders, next summer’s free agent crop looks to be much more exciting than this year’s. While in-their-prime forwards like Evander Kane and James van Riemsdyk will likely be the focal point of many rumors, the mid-thirties group will also have some very interesting names. One of those, Rick Nash, was profiled by The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, who believes the 33-year old New York Rangers forward can still be among the league’s best.

A two-way game has increased Nash’s value, and though he’ll be 34 by the time July 1st, 2018 rolls around there could be plenty of suitors lined up to add him to the mix. With 416 career goals coming into this season, the 2002 first-overall pick is an interesting name to watch this year.

  • The Maple Leafs are apparently working with a straight rotation for at least a couple of positions, as Kristen Shilton of TSN reports that Connor Carrick and Dominic Moore find themselves as the odd men out at the team’s morning skate. Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen will likely be the team’s third pair, while Eric Fehr will draw back in as the fourth-line center. Still left out in the cold is Josh Leivo, who can’t seem to earn himself a full-time role with the Maple Leafs despite scoring 10 points in 13 games last season.
  • Among teams carrying eight defenseman early in the season are the Tampa Bay Lightning who, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, could dress seven for tonight’s matchup with the Washington Capitals. With Tampa’s decision to keep Mikhail Sergachev on the roster, they put themselves in somewhat of a roster crunch. Sergachev is the only defenseman on the roster who is waiver-exempt, and the team would not risk Jake Dotchin or Slater Koekkoek by sending them down to the minor leagues.

2017-18 Primer: Buffalo Sabres

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With the NHL season now underway, we continue our look at what each team has done this summer and what to watch for in 2017-18.  Next up in our team-by-team primers is the Buffalo Sabres.

Last Season: 33-37-12 record (78 points), eighth in Atlantic Division (missed the playoffs)

Remaining Cap Space: $5.88MM per CapFriendly

Key Additions: D Victor Antipin (Magnitogorsk, KHL), D Nathan Beaulieu (trade, Montreal), F Seth Griffith (free agency, Toronto), G Chad Johnson (free agency, Arizona), F Jacob Josefson (free agency, New Jersey), F Jordan Nolan (waivers, Los Angeles), F Jason Pominville (trade, Minnesota), F Benoit Pouliot (free agency, Edmonton), D Marco Scandella (trade, Minnesota), D Matt Tennyson (free agency, Carolina)

Key Departures: F William Carrier (expansion, Vegas), F Tyler Ennis (trade, Minnesota), F Marcus Foligno (trade, Minnesota), D Cody Franson (free agency, Chicago), F Brian Gionta (free agency, unsigned), D Dmitry Kulikov (free agency, Winnipeg), G Anders Nilsson (free agency, Vancouver)

[Related: Sabres Depth Chart From Roster Resource]

Player To Watch: F Evander Kane – Kane has been a player who has tantalized at times and mystified at others (and not for the best of reasons).  When he’s on, he is among the more dominant power forwards in the league but when he’s off, he can be really off.  Add to that the fact that he has had some off-ice issues in the past and you have a player who has garnered a lot of attention over the years.

Mar 5, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Evander Kane (9) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsKane now finds himself in a contract year.  Will that be enough to sufficiently motivate him to play at his best for an entire season?  If so, not only will he benefit with another big payday in the months to come but the Sabres will be that much stronger of a team with another dominant player to play alongside Jack Eichel.

On the flip side, if his mercurialness continues, Kane’s name is certain to come up in trade speculation, especially if Buffalo is on the outside of the playoffs looking in as it will be fair to question if they will want to commit to the 26-year-old long-term.  Given what he can do when he is on his game, Kane will undoubtedly garner a lot of interest should he be made available.

Key Storyline: Turnover was the theme of the offseason in Buffalo.  Not only did they bring in a new GM in Jason Botterill, they also replaced Dan Bylsma with rookie head coach Phil Housley.  And on top of that, half of their lineup on opening night wasn’t with the team when the season ended back in April.  That’s a lot of changes in a short period of time.

The big question here, naturally, is how will everything come together?  If the players adapt quickly to Housley’s more up-tempo system, the Sabres have the firepower to stay in the thick of the playoff race.  Botterill handed goaltender Robin Lehner another short-term ‘prove it’ contract and when he’s on, he’s a quality NHL starter.

If they struggle though, they could be a team to watch for on the trade market.  Of the 13 forwards on their opening roster, only three are signed beyond next season so with that many short-term and expiring contracts so there is still potential for even more turnover beyond the changes that have already been made.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Afternoon Notes: Tippett, Griffith, Hunt

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Just as some predicted, the Florida Panthers will keep their 2017 first-round pick Owen Tippett on their roster. The team made their final three roster cuts this morning to put the team at 23 players, ready for the start of the season. Whether Tippett stays on the roster is another question as the team is allowed to play him nine games before it burns a year off his entry-level contract. They could choose to send him back to his junior team if he isn’t progressing after those nine games.

While Tippett making the team was not too surprising, he didn’t blow the team away offensively as he only picked up one assist in four preseason games. However, according to Matthew DeFranks of the Sun Sentinel, head coach Bob Boughner said the 18-year-old had little things to work such as how to play without the puck. Once, he figures that out, Boughner said his game will take off.

“Obviously, after nine games, it’s a big decision but we’re not looking at spreading his games out or anything like that,” Boughner said. “If he plays well, he’s going to stay in and he’s going to play.”

The team has made it clear this year they will be focusing on fast, young players and Tippett fulfills that notion. The team also kept 2014 first-rounder Jared McCann, who they picked up in a trade more than a year ago, 25-year-old Connor Brickley and 20-year-old Denis Malgin on their opening day roster.

  • Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News writes that Buffalo Sabres free agent signee Seth Griffith has not just made the team, but is currently practicing with Jack Eichel and Evander Kane on the first line. Whether that holds up is unknown, but the 24-year-old journeyman who played for three different teams last year, has impressed Buffalo management. “His attitude is infectious,” head coach Phil Housley said. “He’s got to play like he has been the last two games. He has to be up in the forecheck. I know he’s a smaller guy but he finds way to get pucks and win puck battles.”
  • As if the Vegas Golden Knights didn’t already have too many defensemen to worry about, they have another problem, as 29-year-old minor league veteran Brad Hunt has played impressively well and there is growing fear the team could lose him if they put him on waivers, according to David Schoen of The Las Vegas Review-Journal. Few believed that Hunt would make the Golden Knights’ roster, but he leads the team in points (one goal, five assists) and may force Vegas to make another critical decision. Hunt has played 33 NHL games for three different franchises (not including Vegas).

NHL Notes: St. Louis Arena, Kane, Wennberg

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The city of St. Louis is a target of a lawsuit over the upgrades to the Blues’ arena, according to TSN. The $64 million publically-funded renovation of the Scottrade Center is being accused of being unconstitutional.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, three St. Louis residents, including Alderwoman Cara Spencer have filed a lawsuit, naming the city, the Blues and the Blues ownership group, Kiel Center Partners. The lawsuit states that public money to pay for the upgrades is unconstitutional and the city was mislead in February when they approved the renovation. They were told that the Scottrade Center was owned by the city and the city should pay for the renovations. Coupled with the interest, the city of St. Louis would have been expected to pay $105 million over the course of 30 years.

However, according to an old lease, if the city pays for renovations, it is expected to be paid back by the owner in a rent increase. The Blues owner currently pays $1 a year in rent. The Blues have not commented on the situation publically.

  • Darren Dreger of TSN reports that trade talk has been quiet over the last few weeks in regards to Buffalo Sabres’ Evander Kane. The veteran forward has been thrown about in trade rumors all offseason. Dreger says that most teams are still interested, but are now likely to wait and see how Kane begins the season in Buffalo. With his track record, many teams may want to see how he handles his offseason. “It sounds like, in the limited research that I’ve done, that he’s worked pretty hard and he’s motivated going into the contract year.” While a in-season trade is very possible, there is also the possibility that both sides will decide to stay together and sign a long-term extension.
  • While forward Columbus Blue Jackets’ Alexander Wennberg remains a restricted free agent, Fanrag’s Adam Gretz writes that Wennberg is intrigued at the possibility of being paired with newly acquired Artemi Panarin. Having been among the top productive players with the Blackhawks for the past two years, Wennberg claims that playing on the same line with Panarin would be thrilling and could take his game to a new level. “That would be incredible to play with (Panarin),” Wennberg said to NHL.com. “He’s a heck of a player. To see the plays he made with Kane, he’s one of the best players in the league. So, if I get a chance to play with him, that would be incredible.”

 

A Quiet 2017 Off-Season

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By the time August rolls around each year, it seems like the off-season is dragging on. The July 1st free agent frenzy is long behind us and it’s been weeks since the last major signing. Fans are struggling to get their hockey fill and counting the days until the puck drops on preseason hockey. In 2017, fans have all the more reason to be sick of the off-season. When compared with the summer of 2016, this off-season has simply been boring. It was expected to be as such, but no one could have predicted just how quiet this summer could be.

As of today, August 6th, 2017, there have only been two unrestricted free agents signed to contracts worth more than $6MM per year: Kevin Shattenkirk to the New York Rangers (as predicted) and Alexander Radulov to the Dallas Stars. In contrast, there were four such deals signed on July 1st, 2016 alone. Drop that mark down to contracts worth more than $4MM annually, and you get uninspiring names this year like Evgeni Dadonov, Dmitry Kulikov, Nick Bonino, Karl Alzner, Martin Hanzal, and Steve Mason added to the list; hardly a superstar among them. 2016 saw high-profile players like Milan Lucic, David Backes, Loui Eriksson, Kyle Okposo, and Andrew Ladd all find new homes. Those signings came on the heels of the P.K. Subban – Shea Weber and Taylor Hall – Adam Larsson trades as well. The best swaps 2017 has to offer so far are Travis Hamonic or Marcus Johansson being dealt for draft picks. There have simply been a lack of franchise-altering moves made this summer.

Then you have the timeline of when deals got done. By August last year, the best unsigned free agents were Antoine Vermette, Jiri Hudler, and Jhonas Enroth. The year before, Cody Franson and David Schlemko highlighted the August market. In both cases, NHL teams got their deals done in July, filling the month with exciting signing news. This year? Not so much. Legendary players like Jaromir Jagr, Jarome Iginla, and Shane Doan remain available, alongside other able-bodied contributors like Thomas Vanek, Drew Stafford, and Daniel Winnik. That’s in addition to Franson and Hudler as well. Teams are simply waiting around on this market for reasons unknown. Could it end up as an exciting run of signing in August? Maybe, but don’t count on it.

The weak 2017 free agent market coupled with the challenge of preparing for June’s Expansion Draft has simply resulted in one of quietest off-seasons in recent memory. Several teams still have needs and spots to fill and signings and trades remain possible, but at this point the summer is a lost cause. Time to look forward to next season and even next summer when we *hope* to see the likes of John Tavares, Rick Nash, Evander Kane, James Neal, James van Riemsdyk, Paul Stastny, Mikko Koivu, Cam Atkinson, Jonathan Marchessault, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Mike Green, Jack Johnson, Calvin de Haan, and Antti Raanta all hit the open market. Hopefully that list is enough excitement to get you through the rest of this one.

Kane Might Stay In Buffalo For Now

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Just a month ago, rumors were circulating that the Buffalo Sabres new general manager Jason Botterill was considering trading goal-scoring wing Evander Kane, but wouldn’t make a decision until the team hired their new head coach. However, the general belief is held that while the controversial star forward put together a strong season for the Sabres this past year, he may not be in the team’s long-term plans as he has just one year remaining on his contract. However, despite that fact, Kane’s name has barely surfaced in the rumor mill this past month and he remains on the Sabres roster, looking more and more like he will stay there. In fact, TSN’s Darren Dreger recently said on a radio show that he envisions Kane being on the Sabres roster when the season starts.

The Hockey News’ Lyle Richardson writes that is likely the case, but it’s still too early to make that type of prediction. There are several teams that fell short of nabbing a big-name scorer this offseason and Kane’s name could begin to resurface as a possible trade acquisition for one of those franchises. Richardson cites two teams who could be likely possibilities, including the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks. However, both have their detractors as well. The Ducks could use Kane and might be a perfect fit, but after the team lost Shea Theodore to the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft, they might not want to move another defenseman right now. The Sharks, who lost Patrick Marleau last week to Toronto, would be the perfect team to go after Kane, but might not have the defensive assets that Buffalo would be looking for. Other teams in the past have shown interest in Kane, and while a handful of free agent scorers still remain available on the market, those options are dwindling quickly.

However, it’s also quite possible, the team wants to see what exactly it has in the 25-year-old physical wing. The former fourth-overall pick in 2009, Kane has always had a tremendous amount of potential, but has rarely put together that big season. He only has one 30-goal season, back in the 2011-12 season with Winnipeg. However, last year’s 28-goal output was his second best season and it could have been even better, but Kane struggled at the start of the season, not scoring a goal until his 13th game of the year. Throw in several run-ins with the police and other legal troubles, there are a lot of questions surrounding him which might be undercutting his value. Perhaps, keeping him around and making a decision on him nearer to the trade deadline next year would make more sense and could provide a bigger payday than moving him now while many of those questions about him still linger.

Will The San Jose Sharks Make A Move?

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It’s hard to make an argument for any other team in the NHL as having a less exciting start to the 2017 off-season than the San Jose Sharks. Yes, the Sharks are just a year removed from a Stanley Cup appearance and have re-signed Norris Trophy-winner Brent Burns as well as Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Joe Thornton, and Martin Jones since then. You can get excited about new deals for Ryan Carpenter and Tim Heed last month too if you like. Yet, other than re-signing their own players, what have the Sharks added to their 2017-18 squad?

We know what they’ve lost. Patrick Marleau, a career-Shark and the franchise leader in goals (power play, short-handed, and even strength), points, and games played, is now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. David Schlemko, a 2016 free agency addition, was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Expansion Draft and then flipped to the Montreal Canadiens. Micheal Haley (Florida Panthers) and Buddy Robinson (Winnipeg Jets) are also gone.

The only additions for San Jose thus far, as they look to plug the holes formed by lost free agents as well as improve upon their 2016-17 performance: left wing Brandon Bollig and goaltender Antoine Bibeau. Bollig, 30, is a physical, fourth-line caliber forward, but doesn’t produce enough on a consistent basis to be a regular player. Bollig hit his career-high in points in 2013-14 with the Chicago Blackhawks when he scored 14 points in 82 games. Soon after, he was traded to the Calgary Flames, where he scored just nine points in 116 games over two seasons before being buried in the AHL for the entirety of the 2016-17 season. The big winger posted 11 goals and 11 assists in 60 games for the AHL’s Stockton Heat, but still brings little to the the table for the Sharks other than grit and experience. As for Bibeau, the 23-year-old keeper was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Toronto Maple Leafs after a disappointing season. Bibeau had an .894 save percentage and 3.08 GAA in 32 regular season appearances for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and performed even worse in his one playoff game. Bibeau had clearly fallen behind Garret Sparks and Kasimir Kaskisuo to fifth in the Leafs’ organizational depth chart, and so he was not retained. In San Jose, Bibeau will be no greater than fourth behind Jones, Aaron Dell, and Troy Grosenick and may never get another NHL start.

Bollig and Bibeau, two players destined for the AHL, are not exactly an inspiring pair, which begs the question: will the Sharks make another move? The team is far from perfect and could use some help. Jones and Dell proved to be a solid duo last season and the blue line is as deep as any in the NHL, but San Jose is not without needs up front. The Sharks ranked just 19th in scoring last season, and also boasted on of the worst power play’s in the NHL, below average face-off numbers, and poor possession stats. Burns (a defenseman) was the team’s leading scorer last year and tied for the team lead in goals, while the since-departed Marleau was fifth in scoring and third in goals. The rest of the top five scorers –  Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, and Joe Thornton – will return, but the 38-year-old Thornton is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, an injury that occurred after he scored all *seven* of his goals. Beyond those three forwards, the production dropped way off in 2016-17 to the likes of disappointments such as Mikkel Boedker and Joel Ward and young, developing players like Chris Tierney and Tomas Hertl. The Sharks have a clear need for secondary scoring, especially with Marleau gone, and could use a power play catalyst as well. Brandon Bollig is not going to cut it and a full season of Jannik Hansen, acquired at the Trade Deadline, likely won’t either.

Top options for the Sharks include Thomas Vanek, Drew Stafford, and Jiri Hudler, while taking a waiver on a veteran like Jaromir Jagr, Jarome Iginla, P.A. Parenteau, or Mike Ribeiro or on a younger player like Alex Chiasson or Brandon Pirri could work as well. Given the Sharks’ scoring needs, their sufficient cap space, and the complete dullness of their off-season to this point, perhaps maybe two of those players could find their way to San Jose. If not, the Sharks do have pieces to make a move to acquire a scorer, potentially a Matt Duchene or Evander Kane, if they so choose. One way or another, GM Doug Wilson needs to do something, and quick, or not only will he have a team that has surely gotten worse since the end of the season, but he will have a disappointed fan base on his hands as well.

Snapshots: Eakin, Gusev, Kane

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The rumblings over who will be selected in tonight’s expansion draft are coming fast and furious, and though many are highly speculative Jim Toth of TSN 1290 is reporting that Cody Eakin will be the selection from the Dallas Stars. While it’s not clear who Toth’s sources are, Eakin would make sense as the Dallas selection. Not only did he show that he’s capable of putting up 35-40 points before this season but he’s only 26-years old and was drafted by new Vegas GM George McPhee back in Washington.

We projected Eakin as the selection out of Dallas in our mock expansion draft, mostly because of the lack of exciting options available among their exposed players. Eakin is coming off a disastrous season in which he scored just 12 points despite spending substantial time with the Stars’ big guns up front. His faceoffs improved and he could still be a valuable piece, but there is no guarantee he’ll ever get back to the highs earlier in his career.

  • Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times thinks that Nikita Gusev may be part of any trade with the Vegas Golden Knights to either protect young defensemen or move Jason Garrison’s hefty contract. Gusev was a linemate of Vadim Shipachyov last season in the KHL and has shown that he can be an incredible offensive performer despite his relatively small stature. The 24-year old still has one year remaining on his contract with SKA St. Petersburg, meaning it would just be a deal of negotiating rights to the Golden Knights. Gusev could also work out a mutual termination or buyout of his KHL contract and come to North America right away, though the interest in that option is unclear.
  • Darren Dreger of TSN gave us an update on Evander Kane trade talks amid all the expansion news, reporting that there are still ongoing discussions with teams in “win now” mode. While those teams aren’t clear, there is likely quite a bit of interest in the 28-goal man who may have turned a corner after his recent legal drama. Kane was by all accounts a much more consistent teammate this season, and showed it on the scoresheet with his best season since 2011-12. Amazingly still just 25-years old, Kane has one year left on his contract and could be among next summer’s top free agents with a repeat performance.

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