The Sabres are getting calls about defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Dylan Cozens plus the latest on Bruins forward Trent Frederic in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON THE SABRES
SPORTSNET: During the Nov. 8 episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman reported the Buffalo Sabres are looking around the trade market to see what’s available to help their team. That’s prompted rumors that defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Dylan Cozens might be available.
Friedman pointed out that Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is trying to help his team. However, the rival GMs he’s spoken with want Byram or Cozens. Adams’ response is he’s trying to add to his club, not subtract.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).
Some teams hope to buy low on Cozens because he’s been struggling this season. According to Friedman, Adams is telling them he’s not interested.
DONNIE & DHALI: Byram was mentioned to Friedman earlier this week as there was “a lot of talk” in Vancouver about his availability. The Sabres rearguard played his junior hockey there.
Friedman’s reply was similar to what he said on Friday. He didn’t know if Byram was available, believing the Sabres wanted to add rather than subtract. He thinks they would consider it if Byram fetched a return that made them better.
They also discussed what the Canucks could be looking for in the trade market. Friedman believes they’re looking for defensemen and trying to determine what’s out there.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Don’t expect to see Byram or Cozens suiting up with another club anytime soon. Rival clubs hope they can fleece Adams if he gets desperate. Based on Friedman’s account, the Sabres GM wants no part of those deals.
Friedman’s remarks about what the Canucks might do in the trade market came before they shipped Daniel Sprong to the Seattle Kraken on Friday. He mentioned they might look at bringing up Jonathan Lekkerimaki at some point. The Sprong trade could set the stage for Lekkerimaki’s call-up.
BRUINS NOT SHOPPING FREDERIC
RG.ORG: James Murphy cited an “NHL executive source” claiming he hasn’t heard Trent Frederic’s name in the trade circuit. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported some teams were interested in the pending free-agent forward.
Murphy’s source wouldn’t be surprised if teams called Boston about Frederic, but that doesn’t mean they want to move him. As far as he knows, the Bruins aren’t shopping him.
If Frederic does become available, Murphy’s source believes the Blues would be interested in the St. Louis native.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues wouldn’t be the only club. New Jersey Hockey Now’s James Nichols believes the Devils should monitor Frederic’s status.
The Bruins stumbled from the gate this season but GM Don Sweeney isn’t about to start trading away his pending UFA players. He needs them to help right the ship. The earliest Frederic might become available is leading up to the March 7 trade deadline, and only if the Bruins are out of playoff contention.