News and notes from around the NHL this evening:
- The Buffalo Sabres inked GM Tim Murray to a multi-year contract extension today. The Sabres hired Murray in January 2014 to replace Darcy Regier. In his first full season, Murray orchestrated a 27-point jump in the standings. The team is building through drafting and with smart acquisitions, a hallmark of the burgeoning Murray era. So far in his short tenure Murray has acquired Dmitry Kulikov, Ryan O’Reilly, Robin Lehner, Evander Kane, and Zach Bogosian.
- The Edmonton Oilers have placed defenseman Brandon Davidson on Injured Reserve today after suffering an apparent upper body injury last night against the Calgary Flames. Davidson was tangled up with Flames’ forward Matthew Tkachuk and fell backwards onto the ice. In response to the injury, the Oilers have called up defenseman Eric Gryba. Davidson played 51 games for the Oilers last season, scoring 4G and 7A. The defenseman is no stranger to injury— he overcame testicular cancer during his first year of professional hockey.
- The Los Angeles Kings have called up goaltender Peter Budaj in the wake of Jonathan Quick’s injury, reports LA Kings insider Jon Rosen. Budaj led the AHL in wins as well as GAA and SV% among goalies who played more than 25 games. The Kings are fortunate that Budaj was not claimed off of waivers last week when they sent the Slovak goalie back to the AHL. While calling up an AHL goalie is automatic when a starter is out with an injury, Budaj’s veteran presence could mean that current starter Jeff Zatkoff is on a short leash.