On the Buffalo Sabres …
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: GM Tim Murray on the Sabres still needing a game-changing defenseman and more scoring.
“I think we’re in good shape,” Murray said. “We had a huge improvement this year. We have cap space. I do have some GMs that will talk to me and make a trade with me, so that’s a positive. We will be involved in free agency.
“We don’t have to go out and sign a star and three role players because we’re short. We’re not short. I think we’re in good shape. I think our young guys are all going to take a step ahead next year. But we can be active. We can be creative. We can take on a contract in a trade. There are all kinds of options. A lot of teams don’t have all kinds of options, but we’re one of the teams that do.”
The Sabres won’t be buying out Matt Moulson – three years left at $5 million per.
The Sabres and pending RFA Rasmus Ristolainen haven’t held talks yet. Once they begin talks, they’ll have a better idea if they’ll be looking at a short-term or long-term deal.
The Sabres hope to sign free agent college winger Drake Caggiula.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1260 on the Edmonton Oilers.
“So it could be a busy off-season all-around in a number of places, but I think Edmonton will lead the way. And I think they have to. I think that there are deep-rooted cultural issues with some of this team. Not everyone. I mean, you don’t have to throw out the entire roster.
“But there are just issues that have – there’s a malaise, from my opinion. I’m not around the team a lot, but in talking to other people in and outside of the organization, there’s just a malaise there that exists that needs to be stricken from the foundation of this team.”
