While many expect the Sabres to deal Evander Kane between now and the trade deadline, the asking price is believed to be higher than the top rental players from the previous deadlines. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has been told that Buffalo will be seeking a return higher than what Winnipeg received for Andrew Ladd in 2016 (Marko Dano, a first-round pick, and a conditional pick) and what the Coyotes got for Martin Hanzal and Ryan White (first, second, and fourth-round selections).
Kane’s production pace (12 goals and 12 assists through 27 games) vastly surpasses what Ladd and Hanzal did in the final year of their respective contracts so that level of an asking price will be justified. However, with teams being less and less willing to trade top draft picks now, it will be interesting to see what type of market GM Jason Botterill has to work with when it comes to trying to move his top scorer.
Friedman adds that Buffalo is telling teams that they can ask about any player not named Jack Eichel. He’s quick to note that this is not to be equated as the Sabres actively shopping everyone other than Eichel but they are prepared to listen to offers. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, as well as forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Sam Reinhart, would certainly generate a lot of interest and all three have at least four years of team control remaining so other teams should be more willing to part with key draft picks and youngsters than they might with a pending UFA like Kane.
With the Sabres sitting dead last in the NHL and a new coach and GM already in place from the summer, it appears that the next big change will have to be in terms of player personnel. As a result, Buffalo is going to be a team to watch for in the weeks ahead.
I know the asking price would be justifiably insane, I would absolutely love to see O’Reilly in Montreal.
O’Reilly would fit perfect in Julien’s scheme. A package of Galchenyuk, picks, and a high end prospect would probably the best that they could do though and I don’t know if that’s enough.
Jets really should have hung onto Kane. Sabers will get a big haul. Rental players not on Kanes level have got big returns in the oast few deadlines
I disagree about the first sentence there. Kane would have either locked up cap space (assuming he played well and the Jets signed him to an extension) or would’ve blocked the younger guys from playing. The Jets’ top six forwards are all young or relatively young players who are playing very well (with Bryan Little the only exception, but he plays center and also has multiple 40 point seasons). Patrik Laine, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Kyle Connor are all very promising wings playing big roles for them.
Agreed -Kane was a cancer-even for nothing -would have been great deal ! Addition by subtraction.