AP - Buffalo, NY – Winless in their first 7 games of the
season, with budding Stars still sitting in Rochester, Sabres GM Matt Poulin
finally had enough.
With the likes of Ivan Provorov, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Olli
Juolevi starting the year in the AHL for some further development the Sabres
struggled out of the gate early. Early last week the trio made their Season
debuts with Buffalo and they have been producing nicely ever nice.
“I have no shame in admitting our plan really didn’t work
out early on. The guys were not producing in the AHL and it was time to bring
them back into the fold”.
The Sabres also made a pair of moves this weekend. First
acquiring a couple of quality 1st, and some cash considerations from
Nashville in return for under performing Vincent Trocheck. The Second was a
minor swap with the Carolina Hurricanes sending Johnny Gaudreau to the Canes in
return for a late pick and some cash considerations, freeing up nearly 3 mil in
cap flexibility.
“We were thinking ahead to next year a little. We know we
have players who will be ready to step into top 6 roles next season. We have
also established our off season wish list to help supplement the group of young
forwards who will be arriving next season”.
The Sabres are expected to fight for a playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference this year, and speaking with GM Poulin earlier today it
seems likely he will do whatever is possible to have the team back in the Post
Season this coming spring.
11/10/2020 - 246 words
