On the Buffalo Sabres …
WGR 550: Sabres GM Tim Murray was on WGR 550 radio yesterday talking team – their defense, expansion, prospects, coaching and himself.
Murray on the trade with the Florida Panthers at the draft last year that landed the Sabres defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.
“When I traded for Kulikov, I thought I was getting a top three defenseman. I didn’t know if he could play all year with Ristolainen if that’s where he fit or if it was going to be somebody else there and then him solidifying the bottom four. I think that watching him last year in the playoffs with Florida, I was pretty excited to be able to make that deal at the time and right now we can all sit here and say that it didn’t work out. And I accept that and I take responsibility for that.”
Murray does have a plan for expansion draft in June.
“Everything is in play, including trades with teams that may have an issue with the expansion draft coming …” Murray stated. “It has affected business a little bit, but for us, I think we’re in good shape. I won’t say we’ve made our final decision on the seven forwards protected or anything like that, but we are in good shape and we have players that do fit the criteria for Las Vegas to pick.”
Murray said they hope to be able to sign Notre Dame goalie Cal Petersen to an entry-level deal as soon as possible. If Petersen isn’t signed by August 15th, he could become an unrestricted free agent. GM Murray isn’t too concerned about that at the moment.
“The decision is going to come to him, his family and his representatives. But I think that our staff has done a good job with him. He’s been treated more than fairly by the organization and I think that’s what you have to do for young players. You have to have them have a want to be part of your organization. Hopefully that is there with this kid right now.”