The Anaheim Ducks have traded defenseman Brandon Montour to the Buffalo Sabres for a conditional 2019 1st round draft pick and defensive prospect Brendan Guhle.
The 24-year old Montour was drafted 55th overall in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft by the Anaheim Ducks. He carries a $3.3875 million salary cap hit for another season.
The 21-year old Guhle was drafted 51st overall in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He carries a $697,500 salary cap hit.
Frank Seravalli: “Conditional pick details in Montour deal: #Ducks receive SJS 1st pick, or they have the option to select STL’s pick if it’s between #20 – #31.”
Thoughts from the media
John Vogl: “Though it’s not immediately clear with who (or when), the Sabres had too many NHL defensemen even before adding Montour. They still need second-line center and scoring wingers.”
John Vogl: “the Sabres’ surplus of defensemen put Brendan Guhle in play as Rasmus Dahlin and Lawrence Pilut passed him on the depth chart.”
Scott Wheeler: “Brandon Montour’s underlying numbers are terrible. Is there an element of that that can be attributed to Randy Carlyle? Probably. Doesn’t mean you give up a first rounder for him.”
Scott Wheeler: “Guhle is moderately interesting too. Good for his age in the AHL, physical, heavy point shot, not all that gifted offensively, OK defender. Projects as a middle-of-the-road NHLer.”
Jonathan Davis: “GM/HC, Bob Murray has been working on moving Montour ever since acquiring Michael Del Zotto from Vancouver. Don’t believe Del Zotto is part of the long term plan, just short term fix”
Ryan Stimson: “Whenever you can give up a 1st and a prospect for slightly-worse player than Risto, I guess you have to do that. I see people are saying good things about Montour? Something missing that isn’t captured here?”
Aivis Kalnins: “Shouldn’t come as a big surprise. #Sabres have been interested in Montour for an extended period of time.”
Jonathan Willis: “I’m really curious to see how ANA handles the deadline. I sometimes wonder if there’s a risk of a coach/GM getting too close.”
Brandon Montour
Brendan Guhle