Status quo for Panarin and his contract situation
Alison L: Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin said after Thursday’s game that nothing has changed for him regarding contract negotiations. He is focused on hockey now and will deal with the business side of things when the season is over.
If the Sabres and/or Skinner aren’t thinking long-term, he could be a deadline move
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: The Buffalo Sabres acquired Jeff Skinner this past offseason. He has a year left on his deal at a $5.725 million salary cap.
Would he want to re-sign in Buffalo? Would the Sabres want to sign him to a long-term deal?
If they don’t work out anything before the trade deadline in February, Sabres GM Jason Botterill could look to trade Skinner to a contender.
Despite having his struggles, the asking price for Bennett is pretty high
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 960 talking about Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett.
“It looks like his role is not as high in the Flames as he would have hoped he would have had at this point in his career. But I’m not so convinced that they’re that interested in giving him away. I think your GM is well-aware about the potential, and I think he’s got a very long-term vision in the sense that if anyone is calling him about Bennett, I think the price is pretty high.”
Friedman continues that it seems that both sides could use a change of scenery. There is the fear that if they do trade him, he could figure it out and be the player that made him the fourth overall pick in 2014.