On the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks …
TSN Insider Trading: Bob McKenzie: Teams are talking to the Buffalo Sabres about Evander Kane. Talks are intensifying, but it doesn’t mean he’ll be traded before the holiday roster freeze. The Sabres are trying to get more than a 1st round pick, a prospect and a conditional pick for Kane. The San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks and maybe the Calgary Flames are among the interested teams.
Pierre LeBrun: The Blues are looking for a top-six forward to add before the trade deadline. They are not necessarily looking because of Jaden Schwartz‘s injury. Robby Fabbri‘s injury at the start of the season, and being done for the season, created the hole. Adding a top-six would allow them to move Vladimir Sobotka to the third line.
Pierre LeBrun: Injuries to Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi has Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning looking for a top-nine forward. Nothing seems imminent on that front.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on SiriusXM on Monday and was talking about the Sabres. Friedman notes they will likely listen on anyone but Jack Eichel. They will look for a home run if they trade Evander Kane – more than what the Jets got for Andrew Ladd (Marko Dano and a 1st) or Martin Hanzal (with Ryan White for a 1st, 2nd and 4th).
“I think if they trade Kane they’re going to look for something even better than that because I think he’s a better player than Ladd and Hanzal were at the time.
“I think if you’re asking them for a Ristolainen or a Scandella or a Reinhart, you better step up. But I think that’s a team that feels it doesn’t play the game quick enough in terms of foot speed or the way they think or move the puck. I just think that’s a team that realizes it needs upgrades in a lot of places, and I think they’re going to try to get them.”