After signing Dougie Hamilton to a massive contract, the New Jersey Devils have cleared out some cap space from the defensive unit. The Devils have traded Will Butcher and a 2022 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres. The Devils will receive future considerations.
Butcher, 26, is signed through only the 2021-22 season but carries a $3.7MM cap hit that had become cumbersome for the Devils. The former University of Denver star is a great playmaker and can rack up points on the powerplay, but just isn’t a strong enough skater or physical enough to make up for it. His defensive game has always been a struggle, but it was only magnified as the Devils lost some of their other responsible options. With Hamilton signing and Ryan Graves acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, there was simply no more room for Butcher in New Jersey.
For Buffalo though, acquiring Butcher is a brilliant move. The team can let him run the second powerplay unit to accumulate points through the first half of the season, then flip him at the deadline for a future asset. Even just taking on his contract now landed them a draft pick, and it seems likely that they’ll be able to acquire another one down the road. The Sabres aren’t ready to compete for the playoffs and could stand to do more moves like this, eating some money for future picks.
In New Jersey, this is another indication that the Devils aren’t going to be happy missing the playoffs again this season. The team solidified their goaltending position by bringing in Jonathan Bernier and added the best free agent available in Hamilton. While the team is still extremely young, there’s lots of cap room and plenty of prospects ready to take the next step. Butcher was in the way, and it only cost them a fifth-round pick to move him out.
What happened to Butcher after his rookie season?
Didn’t have a partner on the devils to guard him
Question is what smoke and mirrors was he using in that rookie season? He’s a lousy player.
Nope just all offense
Gotta feel bad for Butcher. Traded to the black hole.
Lol yeah taking on cap money for a 5th round pick!!! And lose ullmark! Bust isn’t even the word for the job Adams is doing! Idk how the NHL hasn’t stepped in or said anything to what the Sabres are doing!
Really dude? They’re a rebuilding franchise at rock bottom. This is exactly what they should be doing.
Ullmark was a FA & decided to leave.
Buffalo is a black hole?
Outside of Krueger’s coaching this past season it’s also the players that determines a team’s wins & losses.
Once their losing streak ended the team played just below .500 hockey to end the season (without Eichel also) & using their 5th & 6th string goalies.
Ullmark? He only played in 20 games this past season.
Yes Buffalo is a black hole. Even light doesn’t want to go there.
5th round pick is rebuilding???? Rebuilding the ECHL is more like it!!!
Depth is important. Plus, Hellebuyck, Garland, and Kaprizov were fifth round picks
Butcher-
Devils are paying $1mil of his salary.
He will be the Sabres 5th or 6th defenseman (if he has a decent/good season he can be dealt at the trade deadline)
He will be playing under Granato who’s background
is coaching 18-20 year olds.
O. Powers will be playing for Buffalo right out of the gate or after his Sophomore season. J. Quinn is also on deck to play at some point. Not every team that made the playoffs this past season will make it next season. Buffalo will have cap space going forward & so far we have a extra 1st for 2022 (with Eichel to be dealt at some point).
I don’t know what all the hate is for Kevyn Adams. For all the Devils fans who bash Butcher, I would say that half your roster hasn’t looked all that great either the past few years. That includes Hishier and Hughes. The fact of the matter is I have watched Butcher on many occasions and I am perfectly fine acquiring him. Yes, he might not be defensive but hes a very fluid skater and moves incredibly well laterally on the blue line while having a multitude array of shots from the back end. Sure, he’s not a number 1 dman and he prolly won’t be here past the deadline but I’d rather have Butcher at 3.5 than Hamilton for 63 million. Fellow Sabres fan need to stop expecting handouts in trades. Chicago got nothing else in return for taking on Fleury’s ugly contract. Butcher was on pace for 42 pts last year which isn’t too shabby. If he stays he will pair well with one of our backend monsters (Power, Dahlin, Sammuelson)
Nice optimism but all 4 of those players play the same position. Power, Dahlin, Samuelsson, Butcher are all left shot LD.