Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February.
Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government.
Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.
I stole this from an Encyclopedia Britannica that I keep tucked under my nifty fishin' cap.
Welcome to Buffalo, NY where the Sabres are hosting Drew Doughty and the Los Angeles Kings.
Sabres GM Jason Botterill has been speaking daily with his NHL GM counterparts who are looking to add difference makers and depth veterans at the February 26 NHL trade deadline.
Off the ice, there is a Presidents Weekend Sale in progress. Don't expect outlet pricing. Prices are at a premium, however, there are several valauble players available.
There are several NHL teams here today whom covet Evander Kane and Robin Lehner. There are other teams who fancy Josh Gorges, Ben Pouliot and Johan Larsson.
There have been 15-18 teams scouting the Sabres the past few months. When I say "scouting", I don't mean pre-scouting for future games. I mean "I'm serious about wanting to make a trade for your players" scouting. There is a difference. I speak with many scouts from Eastern and EWestern teams. I also speak with club front office staff and player agents. Believe me when I tell you that the Sabres will be involved in several trades in the days to come. Don't sleep on Jason Botterill. He has created value for his pending UFAs by not selling them off at Ebay and Craigslist prices. Botterill has refused to blink first in the games of "chicken" that he continues to play with his GM peers and confidantes. Botterill will be holding his head high after 4:00 pm EDT in February 26. He will be taking possession of several high-value, high importance players, prospects and draft picks.
Here's a list of the shoppers present for today's Presidents Weekend Sale and which roster position they are fixing to improve upon in the next nine days :
Philadephia Flyers:
Goaltending. Robin Lehner is the target. However, the Flyers have had their eye on a Buffalo top six forward. Evander Kane? Samson Reinhart? Ron Hextall has the blue chip D prospects in Travis Sanheim and Sam Morin, plus premium draft choices that Botterill is looking for in return for his top trade assets. The Flyers are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. Starting goalie Brian Elliott will be lost for another six weeks or more as he recovers from core/abdomen surgery. A 32 year old starting goalie with a history of injuries is hardly a good thing heading into the final stretch. What if Elliott needs more than two months to recover? The Flyers can't trust Michal Neuvirth or Alex Lyon with their playoff lives.
New Jersey Devils:
There are two reps from the Devils here today. The Devils are looking to add a veteran goaltender to help smoothe out the rough spots in their goal crease. Ray Shero is also looking to add a top six forward and a depth D. The injury to Corey Schneider has tested the Devils goalie depth. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games and treading water in in the Metro Divisiion standings. Sorry, Keith Kinkaid and Eddie Lack. The Devils need reliable, veteran NHL help between the pipes. Might Shero be inclined to load up his SUV with Evander Kane, Robin Lehner and Josh Gorges? Shero has the forward and D prospects that Botterill fancies. Youngtsres Miles Wood, Mike McLeod, and Steven Santini are the type of players Botterill is looking for. Shero also has a 2018 first round draft choice that he is willing to use to sweeten any deal with his former AGM.
Carolina Hurricanes:
The Canes have been window shopping in Buffalo since the IIHF World Juniors tourney began on Boxing Day. I spied Canes GM Ron Francis in Buffalo for many of the games of the WJCs. The Canes are here again today. Francis is looking to add a veteran scoring forward who can light the lamp at 5v5 and on PP. He is also looking for a veteran goaltender to help smoothe out the rough spots in his goal crease. Might Ronnie Franchise be inclined to "purchase" Evander Kane and Robin Lehner. Francis has the forward and D prospects that Botterill fancies. Young D Noah Hanifin and Jake Bean are the type of players Botterill is looking to add to his roster. Francis also has premium draft choices that he is willing to use to sweeten any trade with Boitterill.
Nashville Predators:
There is no secret that Preds GM David Poile is still looking to add a top six scoring winger. Adding Kyle Turris in November strengthened his center depth. Now, Poile wishes to fortify his T6 wings. Evander Kane may be the object of his desire. If Kane is Poile's choice, he will have to part with veteran scoring winger Craig Smith, D prospect Alexandre Carrier and a first round draft choice.
LA Kings:
Earlier this week, Kings GM Rob Blake traded forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore to Ottawa in exchange for D Dion Phaneuf and veteran grinder Nate Thompson. The Kings are in Buffalo right now. Blake has been searching for a top six scoring winge since he lost out on Matt Duchene. Blake knows that he doesn't have enough goal scoring to power his steam past Pacific foes Las Vegas, Anaheim, Calgary and San Jose. Last season at the NHL trade deadline, Evander Kane was on then GM Dean Lombardi's shopping list. If Kane is Blake's choice, he will have to part with D prospects Paul LaDue, Kale Clague, Team Canada WJC gold medalist first round draft choice, Jacob Moverare, Team Sweden WJC silver medalist, and a 2018 first round draft choice. Interersting to note that LaDue is a scratch today. LaDue (2G, 1A in 7A games this season) is now expandable to Blake because Dion Phaneuf will be eating 20 minutes TOI per night until further notice. I see the Kings trading LaDue in a package for a T6 winger. Will it be EK9? Botterill may want to ask for goalie prospect Cal Petersen as well. Botterill lost Petersen to LA as a college free agent last summer.
Dallas Stars:
Jim Nill want sto add more even strength goal scoring and Evander Kane would scratch that itch for the Stars. Nill may want to take a run at Ben Pouliot, too. The price for Kane will be high. Nill would have to part with 2017 third overall pick left defenseman Miro Heiskanen, winger prospect Remi Elie and a 2018 first round draft choice.
Winnipeg Jets:
Have been scoutuing the Sabres heavily for weeks. Might Kevin Cheveldayoff be loooking to acquire veteran defenseman Josh Gorges and veteran top nine forward Ben Po
Montreal Canadiens: The Kings are also interested in Habs captain Max Pacioretty. They are said to be interetsed in Kings center Adrain Kempa.
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