Detroit Red Wings trade Scott Wilson to Buffalo Sabres
After putting Matt Moulson on waivers, the Buffalo Sabres have traded for Detroit Red Wings forward Scott Wilson.
Early on Dec. 4, the Buffalo Sabres made a bit of a surprising move by putting forward Matt Moulson on waivers. It turns out there was a reason behind it, as they’ve made a roster move. The Detroit Red Wings have traded forward Scott Wilson to the Sabres. In exchange, they will get a 2019 fifth-round pick.
The Red Wings get a fifth-round pick for someone who is pointless in 20 games this season.
More from NHL News
- Should the NHL make referees give postgame interviews?
- Why Carolina Hurricanes fans should be excited for the 2023-24 season
- Why any NHL team would be lucky to add Phil Kessel to their roster
- The New Original Six Teams of the PWHL has been revealed
- The Top 5 Centers in the NHL Today Might Not Be Who You Think
Wilson spent three games with the Pittsburgh Penguins before being traded to Detroit in the Riley Sheahan trade. So this trade makes the return for him a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick. Not bad for someone who didn’t score a single goal last season until the last game.
To be fair to Wilson, he only averaged seven minutes of playing time for the Red Wings. Overall, he got just 127 minutes on the ice with them. Wilson’s lack of points probably has more to do with a lack of playing time than anything else. After all, he did put up 26 points in 78 games last season for the Penguins in a fourth line role.
Sabres Take A Flyer
Wilson is not a terrible guy for the Sabres to take a chance on. He’s a quality fourth liner, even if he doesn’t put up points. It’s a small sample size, but his 5.4 percent relative expected goals for percentage at even strength is impressive. And the Sabres didn’t give up much for him at all. That fifth-round pick has a much better chance of never panning out than he does of being an NHL player.
Obviously, Jason Botterill knows Wilson quite well. The current Sabres general manager was with the Penguins’ front office while Wilson played for them. That familiarity likely played a huge role in the deal.
“We are very happy to add Scott to our roster. [Wilson] is a hard-working, young player that will be a great fit for our club. As a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, his experience will be an asset both on and off the ice.”
Next: 3 Burning Questions For The Red Wings
This could turn out to be a nice deal for Buffalo, as Wilson has a history of being a productive fourth line forward. But even if he doesn’t pan out, the Sabres gave up virtually nothing to get him. And the Red Wings get something for a guy they didn’t like anyway.