Nov 5, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Torrey Mitchell (17) during the game against the Montreal Canadiens at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Torrey Mitchell to the Montreal Canadiens for Jack Nevins and a Seventh Round Pick in 2016
Overall Grade = A-
Torrey Mitchell is a real character guy overall and provides speed down the center position and some added depth and grit. The Buffalo Sabres already have a great number of centers that are close to being ready to play at the NHL level and they needed to ship someone out to make some room.
The return of Jack Nevins (a prospect that Tim Murray said he tried to sign while in Ottawa) and a seventh round pick are not terrible for a guy like Mitchell. He has the ability to provide offense, but his primary role has usually been to grind out on the third and fourth lines to provide depth on a team. He was this in San Jose as well as Minnesota, and he will be this for Montreal as well.
Jack Nevins is a young 21 year old prospect that had played in the QMJHL and is not NHL ready just yet. His presence will now allow Tim Murray to call up a couple of players from Rochester without worrying about having players there that are not up to standards.
This trade will keep the Sabres on track for 30th place while also dropping their center depth to make room for Mikhail Grigorenko to be called up, and eventually Sam Reinhart to play next season.