Butcher on free agency
Mike Morreale: New Jersey Devils pending restricted free agent defenseman Will Butcher: “Haven’t really thought about it much; just trying to get through the season. But I’m excited for it and hope we can do something for a long time b/c I love playing here so we’ll see what happens.”
Housley on the hot seat
TSN: Pierre LeBrun on TSN said that six weeks ago he would have said that Phil Housley‘s job in Buffalo was safe but a lot has changed since then.
“So much so that I think GM Jason Botterill has to sit back and evaluate the coaching position. It doesn’t necessarily mean that Phil Housley will be fired, but certainly, there will be an examination of his work, of that position. And I think the player-exit meetings will also certainly be a barometer as to what Jason Botterill will hear, so stay tuned on that front.”
Buffalo Sabres free agent options – feasible to fantasy
Joe Yerdon of The Athletic: What the Sabres could look at this offseason.
Not going to happen – Erik Karlsson, Artemi Panarin, and Joe Pavelski.
Potential options could include – Matt Duchene, Jordan Eberle, Jake Gardiner, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Dzingel, Gustav Nyquist, Anders Lee, Mats Zuccarello, Wayne Simmonds, and Brock Nelson.
Teams interested in Joakim Nygard
TSN: Darren Dreger said that the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames are among the teams interested in 26-year old Joakim Nygard of Farjestad (SHL). GMs have traveled to Sweden to watch him. He gets Carl Hagelin comparisons.
“I had one GM tell me that this guy can flat out fly. And also what’s intriguing and attractive about Joakim Nygard is the fact that at 26 he’s got to sign a one-year entry-level contract deal. So, it’s almost like a one-year test drive. See how he works out in the National Hockey League and then you can extend after that. It sounds like he will be in the NHL next season.”