On the Buffalo Sabres …
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Sabres GM Tim Murray’s decision on Evander Kane shouldn’t solely be around whether he’s guilty or innocent, but what is best for the team going forward.
Murray can hope that Kane cleans up his act, but his actions have followed him from Winnipeg to Buffalo. Teams won’t be lining up to acquire him. He’s owed $6 million a year for the next two years.
There have been rumors of Kane possibly ending up with his hometown Vancouver Canucks. The Sabres won’t get equal value in a trade, but it would have other benefits.
On the World Cup of Hockey …
Gary Lawless: Source saying that any unsigned restricted free agent who is expected to play in the World Cup of Hockey – Jacob Trouba, Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan – will be insured and will be paid by the NHL/NHLPA. The NHL and NHLPA will provide some sort of asset value protection (insurance) for free agents.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Craig Custance: Blues GM Doug Armstrong said they are finalizing the paper for Vladimir Sobotka‘s return to the NHL: “He’s ready to come over.”
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Jared Clinton of The Hockey Hews: Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba is still without a contract as they are they are apart on money, term and usage according to Gary Lawless.
“(The Jets and Trouba are) apart everywhere,” Lawless said on TSN’s That’s Hockey. “They’re apart on money, they’re apart on term and they’re apart on usage. Jacob Trouba doesn’t want to play in the bottom pairing anymore. He wants to play with Dustin Byfuglien or one of the other top four D in Winnipeg. He wants power-play time. He wants to be a big part of what they’re doing in Winnipeg if he’s going to be here for a long time.”
