Flip it and Reverse It?
The Buffalo Sabres made the first big move of the pre-trade deadline season by dealing Ryan Miller and Steve Ott for Chris Stewart, Jaroslav Halak and draft picks, but they are probably far from done dealing.
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun believes the Sabres could look to flip Stewart before Wednesday.
LeBrun believes the Sabres may consider Stewart as a possible fit for the team's rebuilding core, given that he has one year remaining on his contract and is still only 26. However, LeBrun countered, the offers on Stewart could also be enticing to the Sabres with the Ottawa Senators believed to be interested in the forward dating back to before Friday's blockbuster.
Out of Oil
If this is Ales Hemsky's last week in an Oiler uniform, the Czech forward appears ready for whatever comes next.
It could be my last two games in this locker-room, so I better enjoy it,” the 30-year-old winger said after practice on Friday. “I want to enjoy every moment I'll spend with the guys, with my friends, with the people I know."
“I'm ready for it. I'm excited.”
With a provincial showdown with the Flames on tap for Saturday it could provide one last battle-ground for the winger, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Strictly Business
Cory Schneider doesn't want to see his crease-mate Martin Brodeur traded, but understands that if the 41-year-old does get moved it's just part of the business of being an NHL player.
“Marty is big part of this team and has been forever. I'm not sure there is any player as synonymous with the franchise as Marty has been or is. So it wouldn't be just anybody leaving this team.
It would be the most important player in the franchise's history,” the 27-year-old netminder told The Star-Ledger.
Schneider, of course, is no stranger to speculation, having endured years of rumours in Vancouver playing alongside Roberto Luongo. The way that situation played out this off-season – resulting in his relocation to New Jersey – has shown Schneider that anything is possible.
“It would be difficult for everybody, but that's kind of what happens. I didn't think I was going to get traded and I did. It happens. It could happen to anybody.”