Veteran blueliner could be dealt before Friday’s trade deadline
Veteran blueliner could be dealt before Friday’s trade deadline
The Buffalo Sabres begin back-to-back road games against their traditional rival in the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, 48 hours before the NHL trade deadline. Veteran wingers Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons, who have been rumored to potentially be on the move before 3 pm Friday, will be in the lineup, but head coach Don Granato indicated that defenseman Erik Johnson will be held out.
Johnson has not played since February 27th in Florida due to an illness, but the 35-year-old took the morning skate in Toronto, Sabres head coach Don Granato did not confirm that the veteran blueliner was being scratched due to trade-related reasons, but did strike a reflective tone when asked about what he has brought to the club since signing with Buffalo last July.
"(Erik)'s been great. In so many areas, presence, but just his wealth of experience at this level." Granato said. "The challenges he's had lots and lots of them in his career and lots of learning experiences. For him to be able to share them with our players and situations whether it be five-on-five and penalty kill. On the penalty kill, he's really helped the group's confidence grow."
Okposo and Girgensons are also pending unrestricted free agents and have spoken to Sabres GM Kevyn Adams about the approaching deadline. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period have reported that Okposo might be a good fit with the New York Rangers, who lost veteran winger Blake Wheeler to a season-ending lower-body injury last month.
Girgensons, who also makes $2.5 million on an expiring contract could be an add for clubs looking for veteran depth, but in each case, Adams will likely have to retain salary to make a deal possible and get any kind of return.
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