I hate to say I told you so.
But....
Ryan O’Reilly is still a member of the Buffalo Sabres.
All of the pre-NHL Draft hype was noise. The rumors that had O'Reilly being traded at or before the NHL Draft in Dallas were just that.
Rumors.
In the game of "Chicken", he who blinks first loses.
Suffice to say, Botterill refused to blink first when Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergervin, St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong, and Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall made their best pitches for O'Reilly.
Thus, "The Factor" is still a member of the Buffalo Sabres.
Botterill is fine with it. He went into pre-Draft talks with teams saying:
"If you really like O'Reilly and must have him on your roster next season, then hit me with your best shot. Make me an offer I can't refuse."
Botterill wasn't wowed by the offers.
Let's be clear here.
Jason Botterill has not been trying to actively shop his Lady Byng candidate centerman.
Botterill was simply listening to offers for not only O'Reilly but several of his other core players.
Botterill reportedly had many discussions with the Canadiens, Blues and Flyers about O’Reilly. Neither Bergevin nor Armstrong could get Botterill to blink first.
“We just didn’t feel comfortable what was presented the last couple of days,” Botterill said at his post-Draft media scrum.
“We’ll see how things progress over the next week or two. Our main focus was the draft and we’re very excited where we’re at the last three days.”
O’Reilly, 27, has five years remaining on his 7-year contract with the Sabres. Per the terms and conditions of hiss contract, O'Reilly will receive a roster bonus of $7.5 million on July 1.
Could O'Reilly be traded between now and July 1? Sure. All players are subject to be traded in the NHL.
What would be the point in Botterill trading O'Reilly after July 1?
I fully and completely expect O'Reilly to remain a Buffalo Sabre.
Check out Botterill's post-Draft presser here.
Thanks, Sabres.com
Botterill mentioned regarding Canadian Hockey League players, particularly in later rounds, that college and European players have two more years to develop before losing their rights. Excellent asset management by Botterill.
**
Botterill selected six players at the 2018 NHL Draft.
Not one of Buffalo's selection played for a team in the Canadian Hockey League. Botterill and his scouts opted to select kids from Sweden, USA and Czech Republic. Not one of Buffalo's 2018 draft choices played in the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League or Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Weird, eh?
Botterill's prized possession was first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin (Frolunda) one of five defenseman selected by the Sabres at the Draft in Dallas.
Four of Buffalo's D-men hail from Sweden.
Botterill also selected Mattias Samuelsson (D), who is American. Samuelsson a Swedish last name and is the son of former NHL D Kjell Samuelsson, a Swede.
Botterill said he is completely impressed with the way Swedish rear gaurds continue to play the structured, high pace, north, physical game in the NHL and in international competition.
It’s hard to argue with Botterill. I watch Dahlin, Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson, Hampus Lindholm, and other elite Swede defenders with great respect and admiration. Why are they so dominant? They are fundamentally sound, high intelligence and are not afraid to improvise and be creative.
I’m giving Botterill an A+ grade for his performance at his second NHl Draft as GM of the Buffalo’s Sabres.
Botterill addressed organizational needs at defense by getting the best defenseman in the world in a Dahlin.
***
For weeks, Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell has been promising radical changes to his team's roster.
On Saturday afternoon, during the fourth round of the NHL Draft, Waddell and his wing man Rick Dudley landed a HUGE return in a blockbuster trade with the Calgary Flames.
Waddell is shipping forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin to the Flames in exchange for defenseman Dougie Hamilton, power forward Micheal Ferland and defense prospect Adam Fox, Harvard, Team USA WJC).
Flames GM Brad Treliving will have to re-sign Lindholm and Hanifin, who are restricted free agents.
New Carolina owner Tom Dundon fired former GM Ron Francis and replaced him with Waddell at season's end. Dundon also punted Bill Peters as his head coach.
The Flames immediately inked Peters to be their head coach in Calgary. Lindholm and Hanifin in Raleigh for the past three seasons. Peters was fired after the season ended. The Hurricanes have missed the playoffs the past nine seasons.
Hanifin was selected immediately after Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel in 2015.
Lindholm is a former first rounder.
Hamilton began his career in Boston. He's a former first rounder who will give you 45-55 points per season.
This is a win-win for both teams.
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