The Buffalo Sabres have acquired defenseman Brandon Montour from the Anaheim Ducks for a first-round pick and Brendan Gulce.
The Buffalo Sabres are in the middle of the postseason race in the Eastern Conference. Though they haven’t been interested in rental forwards, per the latest NHL trade rumors, they’ve been kicking the tires on players with term. On Sunday, Elliotte Friedman reported Buffalo is close to working something out with the Anaheim Ducks and Brandon Montour.
Later, the Ducks confirmed the trade. Buffalo will not be giving up their own pick. It sounds like the Anaheim Ducks will get whichever of San Jose’s and St. Louis’s is the highest (or perhaps the lowest). The Sabres are also giving up prospect Brendan Guhle, who’s a defenseman.
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Anaheim continues to sell off assets and Buffalo manages to add to their blueline without paying for a rental. Montour has an additional year left on his contract after this one. He also has a $3.387 million cap hit. In 62 games this year, he has 25 points.
22 of those 25 points have come at even strength. Most of Montour’s value comes at even strength. He’s a pretty solid puck mover who can get the puck out of the defensive zone efficiently and his zone entries are nice as well. Though Montour’s shot attempt numbers aren’t overly impressive on paper, I suspect Anaheim’s system played a part in that.
At even strength, you could argue Montour has been the Ducks’ second-best defensemen this year. His value on special teams, though, has been pedestrian at best.
Buffalo won’t need him on the power play, but maybe being on their power play will help boost his confidence, and therefore, his numbers. He certainly has the skill set to be an asset there, but it hasn’t shown in Anaheim.
Gulce was putting up good numbers in the AHL for the Sabres. However, head coach Phil Housley didn’t have much faith in him.
Overall, this trade works for both sides. Buffalo upgrades their defense and gets a guy who could be a long-term piece. Giving up a 2019 first rounder for him is a bit rich, but if the Sabres can keep him around long-term, it looks better.