Just weeks before the NHL trade deadline, the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets have reached a blockbuster deal. Winnipeg is sending forward Evander Kane, defenseman Zach Bogosian and goaltending prospect Jason Kasdorf to Buffalo in return for forward Drew Stafford, defensemen Tyler Myers, prospects Joel Armia, Brendan Lemieux and a first round pick.
Buffalo certainly has improved at forward with the addition of Evander Kane, who, when his head is in the game, can be a solid power forward. Kane has a 30 goal season under his belt and averages around 20 goals per season. The addition of Bogosian keeps the defense intact considering Buffalo traded away one if its top defensemen in Tyler Myers to nab Kane.
Winnipeg just added another solid large-bodied defensemen in Tyler Myers. Myers won the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) and is a formidable rear-guard. Forward Drew Stafford is not a point per game forward but he has 20 goal scorer potential.
In the end, the trade is good for both teams. Evander Kane has not been a good fit in Winnipeg. He has caused a fair share of drama in the Winnipeg locker room and has some controversial dealings with social media. It was just a matter of time before Kane was shipped out of Winnipeg when just last week he was scratched against his home town team the Vancouver Canucks and apparently had an altercation with teammate Dustin Byfuglien. Kane will look to have a fresh start in Buffalo, a team that is in a rebuild and could use a solid forward like Kane. Both teams swapped solid defensemen so that is a wash. Winnipeg may have received a few more prospects, but, they are just prospects and may never develop into NHL-caliber players.