Trade deadline doesn’t appear to be a factor for the Sabres and Skinner
TSN: Pierre LeBrun said that the Buffalo Sabres and representatives for pending unrestricted free agent Jeff Skinner have held some good contract talks.
There is still work to be done but trade deadline is not a factor. Skinner has no-movement clause and there is no indication that he wants to be traded.
Both sides are focusing on getting a deal done either before or after the deadline.
The Sabres-Skinner situation is different that the Ottawa Senators and Mark Stone/Matt Duchene where either will be signed or traded.
Senators still pushing for a deal but are out scouting
TSN: Bob McKenzie says that contract negotiations between the Ottawa Senators and the camps for Mark Stone and Matt Duchene continue.
The Senators are making a push but it’s still too early and it may take another day or three to see if the traction is enough.
“But I also think it’s fair to say that the Ottawa Senators, out of necessity now, have to work both sides of the street. Negotiate over here with those guys, but also look at their trade options and that’s why general manager Pierre Dorion, along with his assistants Jim Clark and Peter MacTavish are in Winnipeg tonight for the Jets game and will stay in Winnipeg and continue to scout the Jets and the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League, so negotiations over here, trade talks and trade investigation over here.”