The 2015 NHL Trade Deadline has warranted few trades so far, at least on deadline day. But the Buffalo Sabres have made their mark with a chance at the top overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft.
Just one year ago, the Sabres traded recently-acquired goalie Jaroslav Halak to the Washington Capitals for goalie Michal Neuvirth. Halak has since made his way to the Islanders via free agency during this past offseason, which makes today’s trade that much more interesting.
On Monday, the Sabres traded Neuvirth to the Islanders in exchange for backup goalie Chad Johnson and a conditional 3rd-round pick in 2016. So, the two that were once traded for each other will now team up as a goalie tandem on a team that is well on their way to the playoffs and a hunt for the Stanley Cup. Neuvirth said on Hockey Central on SportsNet that he knows Halak is their no. 1 goalie, but he wants to help in any way he can.
Neuvirth saw the trade go up on the TV glued to @NHLNetwork and @Sportsnet. Saw it with teammates before the call came. #Sabres
— Pat Malacaro (@PatWGR) March 2, 2015
But Neuvirth apparently didn’t hear about his trade in the typical fashion that most do. With the advancement of broadcast and social media, this isn’t rare, but he said on Hockey Central that it was not expected, as he only packed for Buffalo’s current Florida road trip.
He said he was eating sushi with his Sabres teammates and watching NHL Network and saw the trade come up with his highlights, after they told him to look at the TV.
Earlier: The Sabres also traded Brian Flynn to the Montreal Canadiens for a 5th-round pick in this year’s draft.
At 2:20, there’s still 40 minutes to go before the deadline comes and goes, but Chris Stewart — among others — remain on the table.
@Alex_Busch91