On the Buffalo Sabres and four potential suitors for Ryan O’Reilly …
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Sabres forward Ryan O’Reilly could be moved at the draft on Friday. He has five years left on his deal at a $7.5 million cap hit and is owed a bonus on July 1st. His salary is a $1 million a year, and the rest is bonuses. If a team wants to wait until after, the price goes up. Some teams have already called the Sabres.
Montreal Canadiens – Free agents John Tavares is a long-shot and Paul Stastny makes some sense. For O’Reilly, belief is the Sabres want the Canadien No. 3 pick, which is probably something the Canadiens don’t want to do. The Canadiens have four second-round picks. The Habs could take on the last year of Matt Moulson‘s contract.
Carolina Hurricanes – Not trading the No. 2 pick but have Noah Hanifin or Elias Lindholm. The Sabres may want some of the Hurricanes prospects, who in turn would likely want the Sabres to pay the signing bonus.
St. Louis Blues – Likely have already inquired. The Blues are willing to move the Jets first-round pick, No. 29, and have some intriguing prospects. The Blues are also targeting UFA John Tavares.
Philadelphia Flyers – Hold the No. 14 and No. 19 picks on Friday. The Flyers also have some nice prospects in their system.
On some teams could be looking to make a move …
Chris Nichols of FRS Hockey: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 650 on the trade market
“I’ve got to tell you, I think Chicago could be a really interesting one. I think the Rangers with three first-rounders could be a real interesting one. I think Chayka in Arizona is a guy who’s not afraid. Look at all of the cap room San Jose has.
“Guys, I think there’s a lot of teams kicking tires on a lot of things. I do think there’s a lot going on out there. I can’t narrow it all down. I can’t pin it all down.”