{"id":437438,"date":"2024-02-12T15:06:16","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T20:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=437438"},"modified":"2024-02-12T15:06:16","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T20:06:16","slug":"nhl-rumours-tampa-bay-lightning-and-buffalo-sabres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/02\/12\/nhl-rumours-tampa-bay-lightning-and-buffalo-sabres\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. Super Sunday has passed and the focus now shifts to the National Hockey League. The trade deadline is coming up on March 8th and teams might be in need of some help. Injuries and underperforming play may have forced the hands of some general managers. However, these executives know there is a price to pay. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> and the Buffalo Sabres.<\/a><\/p>\n

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

Tampa Bay Lightning<\/h3>\n

Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period talked about how the Lightning are now in the market for a defenceman. This is due to the likely season-ending injury to Mikhail Sergachev<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Analysis:<\/em> Tampa Bay received a hammer blow to its chances when Sergachev broke his leg in two places against the New York Rangers<\/a>. The Lightning now need to spend resources in order to fill a massive hole in the lineup. Sergachev did a lot of things for the Lightning, but now Julien BriseBois will have to find a suitable replacement.<\/p>\n

Another issue for the Lighting is that they’re tight against the salary cap. A replacement for the Russian defender will have to come cheap or someone will have to go out the other way. Pagnotta mentions names like Noah Hanifin<\/a> and Sean Walker<\/a> for starters. However, they may have to open up their search to some other names.<\/p>\n

Players like Alexandre Carrier<\/a> or Chris Tanev<\/a> could also come onto BriseBois’ radar at the deadline. The Lightning will have some extra space with the injury to Sergachev, but the team will still have to play it smart. BriseBois has been pretty shrewd about the deals he’s made. However, he’s going to have to pull another rabbit out of his hat to replace a key defender.<\/p>\n

Buffalo Sabres<\/h3>\n

Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Sabres are looking for help now. This was during Saturday night’s Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Saturday Headlines\/32: Markstrom & Devils…trade market…Sabres hunt for "now"…Coyotes:https:\/\/t.co\/kjg0ihdY1g<\/a><\/p>\n

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n