By Budd Bailey, Buffalo Sports Page Columnist
No. 54: February 11, 2015 – The Sabres trade Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, the rights to Brendan Lemieux and a first-round draft choice in 2015 (Jack Roslovic) to Winnipeg for Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and Jason Kasdorf.
The Sabres had accumulated some assets for the future in 2015 as part of a massive rebuilding program. They wanted to improve their roster for the future, but not hurt their chances of getting the No. 1 overall draft choice. That’s a tricky process, but general manager Tim Murray tried to reach that goal with a big trade with Winnipeg.
Evander Kane was a big, tough forward with a scoring touch. He also came with some baggage in terms of his relationship with the team and the town. Kane also was out for the season because of an injury, so he wouldn’t help the Sabres down the stretch. In the topsy-turvy season, this was a plus.
The price was high. Tyler Myers had been the NHL’s rookie of the year, and Buffalo had unfulfilled hopes he’d be the next Zdeno Chara. Meanwhile, some of those accumulated assets were included. Kane didn’t work out too well in Buffalo either, and was dealt to San Jose. But Bogosian remains a regular defenseman. Myers has played well for the Jets, who can’t complain too much about the deal.
(Follow Budd on Twitter @WDX2BB)
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