Josh Norris’ health appears to have been the stumbling block in a potential Connor Hellebuyck trade to Buffalo, while Simon Edvinsson’s contract talks in Detroit are finally moving forward. And in Pittsburgh, the Penguins are keeping a patient posture with Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson, even though both are extension-eligible.
The Hellebuyck-to-Sabres chatter has been around since the draft, when the reported framework included the fourth-overall pick, additional draft capital, a high-end prospect and a roster player. One of the key sticking points, according to the reporting, was Winnipeg’s refusal to move the eighth-overall pick back to Buffalo, with the Jets instead targeting Viggo Bjorck at that slot.
But Darren Dreger added another layer to the story. He said, “There was a centre from the Sabres that could’ve been included in the deal that the Jets didn’t necessarily love. They had concerns with that player from a health standpoint.”
That centre may have been Jiri Kulich, who has dealt with blood clots, though the source material notes it would make more sense for Buffalo to have been trying to move Norris. Norris has battled shoulder injuries over the last few seasons and has missed substantial time in each of the last five years.
Buffalo is still in the mix for Hellebuyck, but the original offseason offer is no longer on the table. If the Sabres come back into the conversation, it will have to be with a very different package.
In Detroit, Shawn Horcoff has inherited plenty of work after the Red Wings waited more than two months to name an interim general manager. Edvinsson is one of the biggest items on the list. The defenseman remains a restricted free agent, though he has been at training camp.
The contract picture has shifted as well. Zeev Buium’s eight-year deal, which pays more than $9 million annually, now stands as a major benchmark if Edvinsson’s next contract is long term. Fraser Minten’s deal could also come into play as a lower-end comparison, even though he is not a defenseman.
Pierre LeBrun reported that Horcoff has already been in contact with Edvinsson’s agent, and he said, “they’ve gotten going for real here.”
In Pittsburgh, the extension questions around Crosby and Karlsson are being handled with restraint. Josh Yohe reported that no negotiations have started yet on Karlsson’s side, though both the player and team appear open to talking later.
Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza said, “There’s been great conversation and transparency around his situation…We think a lot of Erik. I think he’s enjoyed his time here.
We’ve enjoyed having him. So, those types of situations will play themselves out as the year goes.”
Crosby’s situation is different only in timing, not in tone. His current deal was signed as an extension in Sept. 2024, and his last negotiation stretched into mid-September as well. There’s no indication he’s headed anywhere other than Pittsburgh, and the delay is tied to how he feels about his game, not where he wants to play.
Spezza also addressed Crosby directly, saying, “You want to kind of see how you feel, and you want to play to a certain standard. I think that’s probably where Sid is at right now. There’s not really a concern on our end, or on his end, at this point.”
In Other News...
Sabres Roster Battle Just Got More Serious Than Fans Realized
The Sabres Blue & Gold Scrimmage offered a first real look at a roster mix that included NHL regulars and some AHL hopefuls, a useful checkpoint with the preseason set to begin Monday in Pittsburgh. Several players found the net in the scrimmage and a postgame shootout, giving Buffalo a chance to sort through competition on the fly while Lindy Ruff kept the focus on evaluation in a setting that looked and felt closer to game speed than a typical September workout.
Ruff also pointed to the new collective bargaining agreement as a factor in how the club can manage its preseason looks, and that matters for a roster still trying to sort out its depth chart. With Buffalo navigating limited exhibition reps for certain veterans, every shift has a little more weight than fans may have assumed, and the race for spots looks like it will be decided quickly once the games start counting toward the preseason record. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Camp Battle Could Reshape Buffalos Top Six Fast
Lindy Ruff is spending camp with a rare kind of problem in front of him, the sort coaches usually welcome because it gives them options everywhere else. The Sabres have a center group that can also slide to the wing, which gives Ruff a lot of flexibility as he pieces together lines and looks for ways to help Buffalo get cleaner possession off the draw.
That versatility is already showing up in practice, where Tage Thompson, Josh Norris, Noah Ostlund and Sam Carrick were taking turns down the middle while Ryan McLeod, Peyton Krebs and others worked on the wing. It leaves the Sabres with plenty of room to experiment, but it also means the battle for the best fit in the top six could move quickly once camp decisions start getting real. [Read more 🡒]
Jack Quinn Is Forcing His Way Into A Bigger Sabres Role
Jack Quinn has spent Sabres camp making the kind of impression that can change a seasons conversation fast. After looking lively in the Blue & Gold Scrimmage, where he chipped in a goal and an assist, the winger has carried that momentum into a camp that has drawn plenty of attention around Buffalos younger core. Coach Lindy Ruff has already pointed to Quinns progress from a year ago, saying the forward has taken another step forward.
With Quinn now entering the final year of his contract, the timing matters as much as the performance. The Sabres are looking for more offense and more consistency from the lineup, and Quinn appears to be pushing his way toward a larger opportunity in both the everyday rotation and special teams. For a player trying to turn a strong camp into a bigger season, the next question is how much of that expanded trust he can turn into real game-time responsibility. [Read more 🡒]