There are just five days remaining (counting today) until the NHL freezes its rosters, and expands them slightly for the post season. The Buffalo Sabres are still trying to sell UFAs so they don’t lose expiring contracts for nothing.
Tim Murray has said he doesn’t want to lose these players for nothing, he has also said that he is only dealing with “rental” deals at this point, no real hockey deals look like they are going to be made.
Yesterday seemed like deadline day part 1, with teams making several trades preparing for the end of the season. Do you see how many former Buffalo Sabres defenseman are now playing for the defending Stanley Cup Champions with the addition of Sekera?
After the light action in the league last night, here are your Draft Lottery Standings.
The Buffalo Sabres are no longer running away with the last place spot in the league. Depending on how deadline day shakes out and the rest of the schedule plays out, everyone south of the Toronto Maple Leafs could be making a move to try and ensure they are getting one of the top three draft picks. Sure the ultimate goal is for Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, but a team that could use a good defenseman might just want to be in spot number three for Noah Haniflan.
Now you have been waiting just about 24 hours for me to report on who wins the NHL Draft Lottery Simulator for today. With an 11.5% chance at the number one spot, the Arizona Coyotes win the draft lottery, pushing the Buffalo Sabres into the number two spot.
Here is the list of games going on tonight in the NHL.
Vancouver Canucks @ Buffalo Sabres
With Zemgus Girgensons out of the lineup long term, Tyler Ennis not playing tonight, and Ryan Miller missing from the Vancouver Canucks – fans looking forward to this game may have just lost a bit of interest. I want the first Stanley Cup to the Class of 1970 to go to the Buffalo Sabres, but tonight I will be rooting for the Canucks.
Arizona Coyotes @ New York Rangers
The Coyotes are falling like a rock in the standings, thanks to the fact that they haven’t won a game in seven tries. Just a week or so ago I would have said you didn’t have to worry about the Coyotes encroaching on the final spot. Now you should worry about that. They are just six points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres in the standings.
Montreal Canadiens @ Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus could be in play for one of the last two spots as well, but are facing a Canadiens team that has struggled against the bottom five teams in the league.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Philly is making a stand to try and get into the playoffs, and the Maple Leafs are starting to rebuild.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Florida Panthers
The Blackhawks have lost Patrick Kane until about the time of the Western Conference Finals. The Panthers remain on the bubble in the Eastern Conference.
St. Louis Blues @ Winnipeg Jets
A Western Conference battle. Will the Blues have anything in the tank to get past the first round of the playoffs? Will Winnipeg be able to do enough to get into the playoffs?
Minnesota Wild @ Nashville Predators
Potential first round matchup here if the Wild can sneak into the playoffs, and the Predators land in the top spot in the West.
Ottawa Senators @ Los Angeles Kings
Ottawa still making the push, and the Kings have turned the heat up in the West, as they look to defend their title.
Detroit Red Wings @ San Jose Sharks
Two playoff bound teams that probably and most likely won’t be around beyond the second round of the playoffs.
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