Welcome to the working week. I expect a lot of league-wide action this week as NHL teams start the buyout process in order to clear out cap space that is necessary to make free agency deals on July 1. Trade talks have been brewing ever since the GMs meetings in Boston last week. The floor at the draft will be a buzz with activity as GMs will be looking to trade up to improve their selection position, while others will be looking to trade their picks for players that can help them sooner rather than later.
The Sabres brass and scouts are preparing to head to Minnesota for the NHL Entry Draft. They are looking to select a scoring centreman and a D man with size and skill. Buffalo pick 16th overall.
Here are the three centremen that I am hearing that Buffalo are looking to zero in on:
1. Zack Phillips of the Memorial Cup champion Saint John Sea Dogs
Phillips scored 38 goals and added 57 assists. He's an excellent two-way centreman. The Sabres really like Phillips.
This guy goes to the dirty areas and is not afraid to go to the hole.
2. Mark Scheifele of the Barrie Colts.
Scheifele scored 75 points, with 53 assists, and is solid at both ends of the ice.
This guy wears #19 and has the hands of a jewel thief. His skill reminds many scouts of Tim Connolly.
3. Mark McNeill, Prince Albert Raiders.
At 6'2", 201 pounds, McNeill is a big centre and he's hard to bump off the puck.
McNeill helped the Raiders to their first playoff berth. He was second on his team in scoring during the regular season, with 32 goals and 81 points.
If I get my way, Buffalo will select McNeill with the 16th overall pick. This kid is big, nasty and has skill. He, along with Zack Kassian, and Marcus Foligno will be running teams out of the building in the not to distant future.
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Lou Lamoriello and the New Jersey Devils have opted to file for arbitration with his best offensive star, left winger Zach Parise. The RFA's rights will now be protected and the team will continue their process of trying to re-sign Parise to a long term contract extension.
The arbitrator will award Parise a one year deal for the 11/12 season. I expect the award to be somewhere between $7-$7.5 million for one season, despite fact that Parise had to undergo knee surgery in November 2010 to repair an injured meniscus in his right knee.
Parise will be an unrestricted free agent on 7/1/12.
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