Archives for July 2, 2018

‘”We’ll certainly miss Ryan’s productivity because he is a top-end player for us,” Botterill said on a conference call Sunday night. “But that’s why it was key to get NHL players back. … We felt as a management group at the end of the season we had to change the dynamic. The bottom line was there’s a lot of great people in that locker room but when you finish 31st, you have to look to make changes. And that’s why we felt there was a good balance in making this move.”‘

‘Berglund was fourth on the Blues in goals last season but 10th on the team in points due to another poor assist performance. He only had nine helpers in 2017-18, the second time in three seasons his assist total was in the single digits. His best year of the last three came in 2016-17, when he had 11 assists.’

‘He agreed to a three-year extension valued at $10.5 million before last season and then played 81 games, by far the most he has played in any NHL season in his career. He had 11 goals, including a stretch of nearly two months between tallies, and 20 assists and was minus-6.’

‘Thompson signed an entry-level deal with St. Louis last month after two seasons of college hockey at the University of Connecticut. The former first-round pick in 2016 spent a majority of the season with the Blues, totaling three goals and nine assists in 41 games. He also spent time in the American Hockey League, scoring eight goals and 10 assists in 30 games with the San Antonio Rampage.’

‘Thanks Tim Murray….your legacy is near wiped out.’

‘Hutton is 32 and led NHL goalies who played at least 30 games in goals-against average (2.09) and save percentage (.931) while playing 40 games for St. Louis. He was also second in the NHL in 5-on-5 save percentage at .940.’

‘Buffalo has signed Hutton at a value price of $8.25 million — a cap hit of $2.75 million per season. Outgoing starter Robin Lehner made $4 million, and there were numerous reports Friday that Hutton’s deal would be in the $3 million to $3.5 million range.’

‘”He’s a heck of a player and the excitement in Buffalo is just huge,” Hutton said. “I’m so excited to go to this market. The last few years, they’ve just been dying for a team to win some games here. I’m excited to come and be a part of that. I think this young kid is going to be a big difference maker, and it’s going to be nice having him in front of me.”‘

‘No one who played 30 or more games had a better goals against average (2.09) and save percentage (.931) than Hutton last season. Arizona Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta was second in both categories, posting a 2.24 goals against average and .930 save percentage.’

‘The Sabres did not give Wilson a qualifying offer because they wanted to avoid arbitration with him and instead work out a multi-year deal. They were able to quickly get the job done less than two hours after the free-agent period opened.’