On the Buffalo Sabres …
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: The Buffalo Sabres are not shopping center Ryan O’Reilly, but they are listening.
“To be honest, the interest in Ryan is not surprising at all. Ryan is one of our better players,” Botterill told The Buffalo News. “He had another successful World Championship, even though Team Canada was disappointed that they didn’t come away with the medal. But he played a very big role for Canada again.
“Look, when I’m having discussions with other teams or other teams call me, they’re not looking for some of our players who are struggling. They’re looking to improve with our talented players.”
GM Jason Botterill expects there to be lots of trade talk when they are at the draft on Friday.
“It’s always a busy week with teams communicating,” he said. “It’s hard to know if trades will get completed here, but we find they at least get set in motion.”
Chris Nichols of FRS Hockey: Darren Dreger was on WGR 550 and was asked if he’s heard anything new with regards to rumors about Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen. Dreger says nothing really with regards to Reinhart and they are okay with holding on to him, weren’t going to give him away.
Dreger thinks that there would a “strong market” for Ristolainen.
“I had heard that Anaheim had interest in Ristolainen. I’d be a little surprised if the Edmonton Oilers didn’t have interest in Ristolainen. You could probably come up with a list of 8 or 10 teams, just again projecting the type of player he’s projecting becoming when he hits full stride as a veteran NHL guy.
“But that’s another deal where Botterill has got to feel real comfortable that he’s on the winning side, otherwise he doesn’t make it.”
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