On the Buffalo Sabres …
Darren Dreger: The Sabres are believed to be among the options for Jack Capuano.
Bill Hoppe of Buffalo Hockey Beat: GM Jason Botterill said they will meet with goalie prospect Cal Petersen next week.
Botterill on their No. 8 pick in next weeks draft.
“You always have to be open to it,” he said. “My mindset, especially with the high pick, is always taking the best guy available. … Drafting for position in hockey is so difficult. Maybe it goes on a little bit more in other sports such as football. These players are coming two, four years down the road.
“But we’ve tried to have discussions with some teams about moving up, moving back. I think because there’s no set one or two players at the top of the draft you have to be prepared for all outcomes.”
Botterill said he’s spoken with Vegas GM George McPhee. They feel comfortable with where they are now, but that can obviously change.
On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Tim Panaccio: Have been told by sources that the Flyers are not involved in any Alex Galchenyuk trade talk.
Dave Isaac: Flyers GM Ron Hextall said the probability of making a trade before the trade freeze tomorrow is about 25-75.
Sam Carchidi of Philadelphia Daily News: Hexall added that the closer you get to a deadline, GMs “get a little more serious.”
“They come at you straight instead of around the bush. You never know.”
Hextall wouldn’t say if they were talking to the Lightning about Jonathan Drouin.
The Flyers don’t plan on buying anyone out this offseason.
Hextall said there was still the possibility of re-signing Steve Mason, but Mason’s agent made it sound like it would be a long-shot. The Flyers didn’t make a contract offer to Mason.
They’ll protect seven forwards, three defense and one goalie for the expansion draft.
