The Buffalo Sabres made just one deal prior to the NHL's trade deadline Monday, sending winger Jamie McGinn to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a draft pick.Buffalo acquired a conditional third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft from the Ducks for McGinn. The pick could be upgraded to a second-round pick in 2017 if the Ducks advance two rounds in this year's playoffs and McGinn plays in half the team's playoff games.
McGinn was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in June 2015. He recorded 14 goals and 27 points this season and was set to become an unrestricted free agent if the Sabres didn't extend his contract.
General Manager Tim Murray on Monday thanked McGinn and recently-traded defenseman Mike Weber for their contributions to the team, calling them "character guys." He said McGinn will be a "valuable piece" for a playoff team.
Murray said he and McGinn's agent never came close to reaching a deal on a contract extension, but he would be open to the forward returning to Buffalo this summer.
"Maybe he comes back to us July 3. Would we have interest? Sure, we'd have interest," Murray said.
The GM said he wasn't close to dealing the team's other unrestricted free agents, like goaltender Chad Johnson and forward David Legwand. He said there were some inquiries, but he got the sense it was just "tire kicking."
