BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Florida Panthers addressed losing Aaron Ekblad to a season-ending wound by buying defenseman Brandon Montour in a metamorphosis with the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
For Buffalo, the closing-assert Sabres persevered selling off belongings by buying a third-round draft snatch in what’s now not anticipated to be their final transfer forward of the NHL’s change closing date on Monday. The Sabres traded outdated-customary Eric Staal to Montreal closing month, and are in negotiations to change forward Taylor Hall, who is finishing a one-year, $8 million contract.
At 9-25-6, Buffalo is all nonetheless mathematically out of contention, and in space to compare the NHL playoff drought file of 10 seasons.
Montour is a pending unrestricted free-agent finishing a one-year, $3.85 million contract.
The Panthers add a two-methodology defenseman to a lineup that misplaced its high blueliner in Ekblad, who will recede out 12 weeks after having surgical operation on March 30 to restore a damaged left leg.
“Brings some puck-engaging capability on the abet finish,” coach Joel Quenneville acknowledged of Montour. “He’s cell, may perchance also get some energy-play time.”
The change became presented as Florida took the ice to play at Dallas and with the Panthers in a decent tear for first assert in the Central Division standings.
Florida fell from first assert to a tie with Tampa Bay for second after abet-to-abet losses to Carolina this week.
“Brandon is a succesful and proficient factual-shot defenseman who can accept a appropriate away influence on our club,” Panthers GM Invoice Zito acknowledged in an announcement released by the team. “His two-methodology acumen and capability to play essential minutes manufacture him a thrilling addition to the Panthers.”
The Panthers opened wage cap dwelling on Thursday in a metamorphosis that despatched forward Brett Connolly and defenseman Riley Stillman to Chicago for forward Lucas Wallmark and defenseman Lucas Carlsson.
Montour, who turns 27 on Sunday, is in his fifth NHL season and has been with Buffalo since the Sabres acquired him from Anaheim on Feb. 24, 2019. He has five targets — four coming in his closing seven games — and 14 aspects in 38 games this season.
Overall, the 2014 second-round draft snatch has 29 targets and 76 assists for 105 aspects in 281 occupation games.
“He’s a no doubt unbiased appropriate defenseman,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov acknowledged after a 4-1 loss to the Stars. “He can back us with the puck and the offensive game, holds the puck no doubt wisely. Excellent addition and looking forward to seeing him quickly.”
Sabres period in-between coach Don Granato praised Montour for now not permitting change discussions to accept an influence on his performance all the way during the last few weeks.
“Via this, Brandon became extra special. He played arduous closing night. He saved this out of his mind when the puck dropped,” acknowledged Granato, relating to the Sabres’ 4-3 loss to Washington on Friday.
“He became a lot of enjoyable to be around. He’s aggressive. Brings a lot of vitality, a lot of life,” Granato added. “In spite of all the issues, you don’t love losing guys love that, nonetheless we all perceive and it’s section of our game.”
NOTES: Granato acknowledged barring a setback, rookie center Dylan Cozens is scheduled to come for Buffalo’s game at Philadelphia on Sunday. Cozens has overlooked six games with an upper physique wound. … Granato acknowledged D Will Borgen isn’t anticipated to resume practising unless Buffalo returns from its three-game road day out, which ends at Washington on Thursday. Borgen has overlooked 26 games with a damaged forearm.
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AP Hockey Creator Stephen Whyno and freelance reporter Jeff Miller contributed.
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