The Sabres and Predators have swapped minor leaguers. Buffalo has acquired defenseman Jack Dougherty from Nashville in exchange for winger Nicholas Baptiste. Both teams have announced the trade.
Dougherty was a second-round pick of the Predators back in 2014 (51st overall) but has yet to make it to the NHL level over his first two professional seasons. Last year, he suited up in 63 games with their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, collecting 13 points (1-12-13). The 22-year-old is in the final year of his entry-level contract and carries a cap hit of $695K. He is also waiver-exempt for the entire season so if Buffalo needs him during the season, they can bring him up and send him down without having to expose him to the wire.
Meanwhile, Baptiste split last season between the Sabres and AHL Rochester. In 33 games with Buffalo, he picked up four goals and two assists while averaging 9:58 per night of ice time in largely a fourth line role. He was a bit more productive at the minor league level, tallying 18 points (7-11-18) in 36 contests with the Americans.
The 23-year-old has a total of 47 career NHL games under his belt, all with the Sabres. Unlike Daugherty, he is eligible for waivers but passed through unclaimed on Sunday and will likely report to Milwaukee. Baptiste is on a one-year deal that pays just under $788K in the NHL and will be a restricted free agent next summer.