The Buffalo Sabres won the sweepstakes for defenseman John Gilmour, who attracted a surprising amount of interest on the open market this week. The former New York Rangers blueliner signed a one-year, one-way deal worth $700K, according to TSN’s Frank Seravalli.
Gilmour looked to be on the verge of cracking the Rangers’ lineup a couple of years ago after signing with New York after four years at Providence College. After two full years in the AHL, Gilmour appeared in 28 games during the 2017-18 season, but saw his stock drop this year as multiple defensive prospects passed him on the Rangers prospect chart. He appeared in just five games with New York this year, despite having an impressive season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, scoring 20 goals and 54 points.
Seravalli reported a week ago that Gilmour was receiving significant interest around the league, suggesting that as many as 13 teams had expressed interest in the 26-year-old. In Buffalo, Gilmour will likely provide some depth for the Sabres, but the key will be his one-way deal, which should keep him on an NHL roster for the season.