On the Buffalo Sabres …
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: The Sabres currently have around $8.7 million in cap space, so GM Tim Murray could possibly take on some salary in potential trades, or retain some.Pending RFAs Zemgus Girgensons and Rasmus Ristolainen will need raises.Some of the Sabres pending UFAs could get some interest on the trade market: Chad Johnson, Jamie McGinn, David Legwand, Carlo Colaiacovo and Mike Weber.Signing McGinn to an extension is an option for the Sabres, as is possibly trading him and re-signing after July 1.There is talk that the Sabres get regular inquiries about Tyler Ennis. Ennis carries a $4.6 million cap hit for the next three years, and a salary of only $3.65 million.
Cody Franson could get some interest. He carries a $3.325 million cap hit through next year.
Brian Gionta has a $4.25 million cap hit through next year, but he has a no-movement clause.
At the AHL level, they have a logjam of veterans and could be looking to shed some contracts.
Platinum Seat Ghosts: Nick Kypreos on Sabres GM Tim Murray on shopping Tyler Ennis: “I don’t know if he would be interested in more draft picks. I don’t think he needs to go down that road.”
On the Boston Bruins …
- Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Bruins GM Don Sweeney would like to add a puck moving defenseman, something that isn’t easy to do though.
“(The defense) is still a work in progress, to be honest. Obviously, Adam (McQuaid) is out now. We have nights when I think it’s OK,” Sweeney said. “It’s not an easy thing to acquire. I think you have to be of a mindset to grow it. That may seem counterintuitive to a player we traded in that light (Dougie Hamilton), though circumstances may have dictated otherwise.
“But I firmly believe we have players in the pipeline and we’re going to look to continue to improve that, be it through trade, be it through free agency, or whatever way.”
Sweeney isn’t afraid to make tough decisions leading up to the deadline if he thinks it’s the best action to take.