Buffalo Sabres, Chris Stewart, AHL All-Stars

Good morning, Buffalo Sabres fans. After a week-long break, the Buffalo Sabres return to action tonight in one of 11 games on the National Hockey League schedule. The Sabres are in Calgary to face the Flames tonight in a late-night, 9 p.m. puck drop, but first — some news & notes from around the league.

First up, from Tip of the Tower: is it finally time for the Buffalo Sabres to trade Chris Stewart?

Rumors have been swirling around Stewart for a long time; reports indicate that Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray is asking too high a price in exchange for Stewart. Could the day be coming soon when a deal is pulled? Or will the Buffalo Sabres end up signing Stewart?

The rumors circling not only Stewart but other potential trades are just part of what’s exciting about the upcoming months. [The Hockey Writers]

From the Stewart speculation, to talks about trading Tyler Myers (say that five times fast) to discussions about players like Ryan O’Reilly, there’s a lot to talk about in the coming months. Whether or not certain deals will be pulled off is obviously still to be determined, but that won’t stop the speculation.

But the draft race also continues, as the Buffalo Sabres draw ever-closer to the upcoming NHL draft in Florida and to hopefully attaining another top-two draft pick. THW calls it a “reverse playoff race” of sorts…. where will the Buffalo Sabres end up as the season wraps up, and where will they pick in the draft when June rolls around?

Speaking of the upcoming NHL draft, the folks over at NHL.com have predicted the first round.

Both writers made the prediction of Connor McDavid being selected with the first overall selection, with Jack Eichel going second. Both also have Noah Hanifin going third, with Dylan Strome slotted fourth. The choices vary from there, but you can check out the writers’ full selections at the link above.

There’s still plenty of history to be written here, folks.

Next up: the American Hockey League held its All Star Game last night in Utica, NY.

The Western Conference came out on top in a 14-12 edge of the Eastern Conference. This year’s game set the record for most goals scored in an AHL All-Star Game.

Montreal Canadiens prospect Charles Hudon, Nashville Predators prospect Brendan Leipsic and Mark McNeill of the Rockford IceHogs all scored hat tricks in the record-setting game.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Philip Varone registered two assists and three shots and finished the game a plus-2. One of the fanciest moves of the night came when Varone kick-passed the puck to former Rochester Americans defenseman T.J. Brennan, who then passed it to Chicago Wolves forward Ty Rattie, who scored.

Finally, going back to the NHL, the Los Angeles Kings placed forward Mike Richards on waivers on Monday.

Should GMTM be looking at this and considering picking him up? Word has it that the Kings don’t expect anyone to claim him and are intending on having him report to the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs.

The one thing that could kill Richards’ chances of getting picked up: his cap hit.

Do you think the Buffalo Sabres should pick him up, or stay far, far away?