Buffalo Sabers are working on the phones today, after suffering another loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins last night. Earlier in the day, Darren Dreger of TSN reported that GM Sabers Kevyn Adams spoke to several teams about a Taylor Hall trade and now negotiated Eric Staal for Montreal Canadiens. The Sabers will receive a third round choice in 2021 and a fifth round choice in 2021 for the veteran center. Buffalo will also retain $ 1,625 million (50%) of Staal’s salary and capital gain.
Adams saw the Sabers up close last night, moving behind the bench while interim coach Don Granato was isolated due to COVID protocols. What he saw was another apathetic effort by his team, losing 4-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Sabers have already lost 16 consecutive games and have been paralyzed more times than in the season.
Like everyone else in Buffalo, Staal has been a shadow of himself this season, scoring just three goals and ten points in 32 games. The 36-year-old appeared to be battling admirably for his father last season, scoring 19 goals and 47 points in just 66 games for the Minnesota Wild. This was the fourth strong consecutive season for Staal in Minnesota, but an out-of-season shift brought him to Buffalo, where he has struggled to make something work. Chemistry was never formed with Hall and, sometimes, Staal was used as the last place player for the Sabers. His average time on ice at 15:34 a year is the lowest of his entire career and the results are close behind.
Still, there is no doubt that it was an intriguing option for teams looking to bolster their core group for the extended race. With a limit reached of just $ 3.25 million that expires at the end of the year, the financial commitment by an acquiring team would be small. Getting 1,272 regular season games of experience, not to mention a Stanley Cup championship (where he could easily have been awarded Conn Smythe), would be an attractive option for any competitor if the price is right.
For the Sabers, negotiating with Staal is a no-brainer, considering how bad the season was, and the Canadian government’s recent decision to reduce the quarantine for new players has only increased its market. Staal has a no-deal clause for 10 teams, but not getting something in return for him would have been a serious mistake on the part of Buffalo’s board.
Still, two choices in the middle of the round for a player of Staal’s stature can speak to the state of the market now. There are not many teams in the league that want to add money on time and the Sabers obviously felt they would not receive a better offer.
For Canadiens, a third and a fifth are basically nothing, considering how many other choices in the draft they already have. The team accumulated 14 choices for the 2021 event, including three thirds and three fifths. It will be Montreal’s choices that will go to Buffalo, not the ones they acquired from other teams.
Even with the wage withholding, Staal’s presence in Montreal presses the Canadiens against the ceiling. Pushing Paul ByronThe contract with the taxi squad will allow them to complete the move, since he is still eligible after compensation, but it will be a tight dance for the rest of the year. Montreal GM Marc Bergevin he had repeatedly explained that the situation of his limit would limit the maneuvering period, but it certainly did not prevent them from getting one of the best rents on the market.
Frank Seravalli of TSN was the first inform that an agreement with Montreal was closed.
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