We’ve waited a long time, but Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Chevaldayoff has made his first blockbuster trade. Prior to today Chevaldayoff has never made a player for player swap in his nearly four years in charge of the team. Today’s deal with the Sabres is huge.
Heading to Buffalo are disgruntled winger Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian, two players drafted very highly when the franchise was still in Atlanta and prospect goaltender Jason Kasdorf.
In return the Jets will get defenceman Tyler Myers, winger Drew Stafford, prospect winger Joel Armia, prospect winger Brendan Lemieux, and a first round draft pick.
Kane is a power forward with a ton of talent, but hasn’t alwasy seemed to get the most out of it. His best season came in 2011-12 when he scored 30 goals and added 27 assists for 57 points. He has battled injuries the last two years. Currently Kane has 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 37 games.
The 6’2″ 198 pound winger has spent his entire career, to this point, with the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers Organization. Kane was drafted in the first round, 4th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. After this season Kane is signed for four more years at a $5.6 million cap hit.
Bogosian, 24, was drafted 3rd overall by the Thrashers in 2008 has spent his entire career with the organization. He has 3 goals and 13 points in 41 games this season. Bogosian is signed for five more seasons at a $5.143 million cap hit.
Kasdorf, 22, was the Jets 6th round pick, 157th overall, in 2011. He has a 2.94 GAA and .900 save percentage in his junior season at RPI.
Tyler Myers, 25, was drafted by the Sabres in the first round, 12th overall, in 2008. He has 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points in 47 games so far this season. Myers won the NHL’s Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2009-10. He is signed for four more years at a $5.5 million cap hit, though his contract was front loaded and will recieve less than that in actual salary.
Drew Stafford, 29, is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. He was drafted by the Sabres in the first round, 14th overall in 2004 and has spent his entire career with the team. He has 9 goals and 15 assists for 24 points in 49 games this year.
Joel Armia, 21, was the Sabres first round pick, 16th overall in 2011. He played his first NHL game this season, but did not register a point. He has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 35 games with the Rochester Americans in the AHL. After this season, Armia has one-year remaining on his ELC with a $1 million cap hit. He will then be a restricted free agent in 2016. His scouting report is here.
Brendan Lemieux, 19, is the son of Claude Lemieux. He was drafted by the Sabres in the second round, 31st overall at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. This season he has 35 goals and 50 points in 46 games with the Barrie Colts in the OHL. His scouting report from LWOS is available here.
The Sabres own three first round picks in the 2015 draft. The pick going to Winnipeg is expected to be the lowest pick they own out of the Islanders’ and Blues’ picks and will be determined once the draft order is set.
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