We've finally reached training camp in the National Hockey League, with the majority of teams hitting the ice on Thursday for their first practice sessions as they gear up for preseason games, which begin for some teams on Saturday.
As is the case every year, trade rumours run rampant around the National Hockey League and it's always important to take them with a grain of salt, but reportedly, the Canucks may be eyeing up a defenceman on the Buffalo Sabres.
According to Dave Jenkins of NHL Trade Rumor, the Vancouver Canucks are reportedly targeting Mattias Samuelsson of the Buffalo Sabres.
While there's no doubting that Mattias Samuelsson would be a solid piece for the Canucks' blue line, it seems pretty unlikely that a deal would occur between Buffalo and Vancouver for one simple reason - his contract.
According to PuckPedia, Samuelsson has six years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4,285,714. Samuelsson's contract also has no trade protection, meaning he can be dealt to any of the 31 other teams around the NHL by Buffalo, but it's also unlikely that the Sabres will want to move on from the 24-year-old, but we'll have to wait and see closer to the trade deadline.
For now, the Canucks seem fairly confident with their defensive group and could even have a tough training camp battle for the third pairing which will likely be Vincent Desharnais and Derek Forbort to start the season, but don't count out Noah Juulsen.
POLL | ||
20 SEPTEMBRE | 192 ANSWERS Canucks reportedly targeting Sabres six foot four defenceman Should the Canucks trade for Mattias Samuelsson? | ||
Yes | 78 | 40.6 % |
No, his contract is too much to take on | 114 | 59.4 % |
List of polls |