Trades hard to come by on Day 2 of NHL draft
BUFFALO — Nashville Predators general manager David Poile said the reason why many teams wanted to make trades at the NHL draft is the same reason why very few occurred.
"If every team has (salary) cap issues, how do we make trades?” Poile said.
The Buffalo Sabres’ acquisition of defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and the New Jersey Devils’ trade for winger Beau Bennett were the only trades involving regulars made on Day 2 of the draft. On Day 1, there were only three deals, and one of those involved the Detroit Red Wings trading the cap hit of retired player Pavel Datsyuk.
Devils general manager Ray Shero said he had trade discussions with teams but couldn’t complete a deal.
"I thought it was me, but nothing happened for anyone,” Shero said.
Prominent names such as Rick Nash (New York Rangers), Kevin Shattenkirk (St. Louis Blues) and Cam Fowler (Anaheim Ducks) were mentioned in many rumors, but goalie Brian Elliott was the highest profile player traded on the weekend.
"Whatever the prices are, or whatever teams are looking for, maybe it will happen next week,” Shero said. “Or maybe around July 1. There are some deals to come.”
Poile agrees. “Dominos will fall in free agency,” Poile said. “On July 2 or July 3, maybe some teams won’t get something, and maybe there will be trades then.”
Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford wasn’t looking to deal, but he believes the depth of this season’s draft crop also interfered with trading aspirations.
"It was such a strong draft people didn’t want to give up picks from those first two or three rounds,” Rutherford told Paste BN Sports.
Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill said draft picks are too valuable in a cap system to trade away. The reluctance to deal away picks continues to grow as we move deeper into the salary cap era.
Sabres general manager Tim Murray was pleased to land Kulikov who became expendable when the Florida Panthers signed Keith Yandle to a long-term deal. The Sabres gave up defenseman Mark Pysyk, Buffalo's No. 38 and No. 89 picks this season.
“(Kulikov) had an outstanding playoff for (the Panthers),” Murray said. “I thought he was their best 'D' in the six games they played against the (New York) Islanders.”
Kulikov has the potential to play in Buffalo’s top pairing with Rasmus Ristolainen, although that will be coach Dan Bylsma's decision. “It improves our hockey team,” Murray said.
Shero acquired Bennett from the Pittsburgh Penguins because he knows him well. He drafted Bennett when he was Pittsburgh’s GM. Bennett is a big winger with skating ability and a wicked shot. But his career has been undermined by injury.
When Shero called Bennett he told him to view the trade like a do-over.
"I also told him, ‘Beau you are lucky you sent me a text when I got fired,’ ” Shero joked.