The Buffalo Sabers are working on the phones today, after suffering another loss for the Pittsburgh penguins last night. Before, Darren Dreger of TSN reported that Saber GM Kevyn Adams talked to several teams about a Taylor Hall trade and now engaged Eric Staal at the Montreal Canadiens. The Sabers will receive a third-round pick in 2021 and a fifth-round pick in 2021 for the Veterans Center. Buffalo will also retain $ 1.625 million (50%) of Staal’s salary and cap.
Adams received a close, personal look at the Sabers last night, moving behind the bench, while interim head coach Don Granato was isolated due to COVID protocols. What he saw was another ruthless effort on the part of his team, losing 4-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Sabers have now lost 16 consecutive games and have been shut down more times than they won this season.
Like everyone else in Buffalo, Staal has been a shadow of his former self this season, scoring just three goals and ten points in 32 games. The 36-year-old seems to be battling admirably with his father last season, scoring 19 goals and 47 points in just 66 games for Minnesota Wild. This was the fourth strong season in a row for Staal in Minnesota, but an off-season transaction brought him to Buffalo, where he struggled to do anything. Chemistry was never formed with Hall, and sometimes Staal was used as a bottom six player for Saber. His average ice time of 15:34 per year is the lowest in his entire career and the results followed.
However, there is no doubt that he was an interesting option for teams looking to strengthen their core group for the stretching race. With a cap of only $ 3.25 million, which expires at the end of the year, the financial commitment of a purchasing team would be small. Getting 1,272 games of experience in the regular season, not to mention a Stanley Cup championship (where he could easily have been awarded the Conn Smythe), would be an attractive option for any competitor if the price is right.
For Sabers, Staal trading is crazy, given how badly the season has gone, and the Canadian government’s recent decision to reduce quarantine for incoming players has only increased their market share. Staal has a 10-team trading clause, but the failure to get something in return would have been a serious mistake on the part of the Buffalo office.
However, two middle choices for a player the size of Staal can talk about the state of the market right now. There are not many teams in the league that want to add money on time and Sabers obviously felt that they would not receive a better offer.
For Canadians, the third and fifth are practically nothing, given how many other project selections they already have. The team garnered 14 picks for the 2021 event, including three-thirds and three-fifths. It will be the Montreal election that will go to Buffalo, not the one they bought from other teams.
Even with the salary retention, Staal’s presence in Montreal is squeezing the Canadiens right in front of the ceiling. Pushing Paul ByronThe contract with the taxi team will allow them to complete the move, as it is still eligible after the exemptions are removed, but it will be a tight dance for the rest of the year. GM GM of Montreal Marc Bergevin he repeatedly explained that his ceiling situation would limit their maneuvering in time, but it certainly did not stop them from landing one of the best rentals on the market.
Frank Seravalli of TSN was the first to report that an agreement with Montreal has been reached.
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