The Buffalo Sabres are rumored to be interested in buying out Cody Hodgson. Of course, that is something that I have been saying for awhile now – that there is just no room for Cody Hodgson or a player that plays like him on this roster.
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In fact, I am not the only one that has been talking about Cody Hodgson needing to be traded or bought out leading up to the 2014-2015 regular season.
Hodgson came to the Buffalo Sabres in a four player deal just as the trade deadline was set to expire in 2012. Hodgson along with defenseman Alexander Sulzer were sent to the Buffalo Sabres, while the Vancouver Canucks recieved Zach Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani.
It was a trade that benefited both teams, as the Buffalo Sabres needed skill, and the Vancouver Canucks needed some grit. Neither team really benefited from the trade, as it was trading of role players. In fact, I think Alex Sulzer panned out better for the Buffalo Sabres than Cody Hodgson ever did.
In our seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, three complete and the one partial season, Hodgson put the puck in the net just 44 times. You could say that the past two seasons his production was low because he was on a team that simply could not score goals period. I don’t really buy into that theory because seven players outscored Hodgson, including two defenseman. In fact, four of those seven players played fewer games than Hodgson as well.
So why move Cody Hodgson this season? It seems as if he is trying to get better, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR 550.
"Cody Hodgson is in Sweden trying to become a better skater. Murray said his agent Claude Lemieux has been sending video updates showing his progress.Murray said he told Hodgson that he needed to improve his skating and needs to be in better condition."
The Buffalo Sabres have plenty of cap room coming into the off-season, and will be able to add to their already rich pool of prospects and players after the draft with just about any free agent who wants to play with the likes of Evander Kane and Jack Eichel (presumably).
The biggest reason that people in Buffalo are looking at Cody Hodgson as a buyout candidate? People in Buffalo need a scapegoat. As long as Ville Leino was around – Hodgson was under the radar. With Leino gone, it then became Drew Stafford’s turn as the whipping boy.
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So if your not in any cap trouble – and you don’t think your going to make the playoffs this season as you start to rise up out of the ashes of the rebuild you orchestrated Tim Murray – why buyout Cody Hodgson?
The Buffalo Sabres seem ready to turn the team over to its young, presumably new core. Tim Murray alluded in the article linked above that Mikhail Grigorenko will be qualified, but where does he fit in? Do the Sabres qualify him only to hope he clears waivers if he goes to Rochester?
Both Sam Reinhart and Nikita Zadorov appear to be on the Buffalo Sabres roster come next season, unless they refuse to learn from their mistakes and don’t show a stronger showing.
Cody Hodgson is only 25 years old. Buffalo still has four years left on the deal with Hodgson, and a buyout of a player at his age is just plain giving up. Yes, you read that right, I am retracting my statement that the Buffalo Sabres need to buyout Cody Hodgson. I say give him another chance – and under contract you might be able to move him at the deadline and get something for him.
Buffalo is starting to run into problems that they haven’t had in years past. Too many centers, and that is the problem with Cody Hodgson. With the possibility of Sam Reinhart playing up full time, you know have Sam Reinhart, Mikhail Grigorenko, Jack Eichel (possibly), Zemgus Girgensons, and Cody McCormick all ready to play center.
With that many players on the roster, and a great deal of need on the right wing, a scary thought would be the Buffalo Sabres buying out Hodgson for the ability to overpay in free agency, and still have cap room left over to fill other needs. A goalie perhaps?
Tipping your hand on buying out Hodgson might not be in Buffalo’s best interest. Trading on draft day is a big option that Tim Murray has to bolster his hockey club going into next season and beyond, and if teams know that you could buy out Hodgson – they might be less inclined to dance with you on deadline day.
Next: Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators Goalie Trade Possibility
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