NHL rumors: 5 teams who could have interest in Corey Perry
1. Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres have missed the playoffs in eight straight seasons now, and they’ve replaced Phil Housley with Ralph Krueger behind the bench. General manager Jason Botteril has to be feeling the heat himself, and the signing of Jeff Skinner to an eight-year, $72 million contract extension was a significant move early this offseason.
Buffalo may be looking to move a defenseman, with Rasmus Ristolainen the subject of trade rumors again. But they have over $20.4 million in cap space (via Spotrac), so there’s plenty of room to add pieces anyway.
With credit to our friend Dave Stevenson over at Puck Prose, Perry would seem to fit nicely on the Sabres’ second line next to young center Casey Mittelstadt. The eighth overall pick in the 2017 draft had just 25 points (12 goals) last season, and Botteril suggested he wore down over the course of the season. An occasional bump up to the line with Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner might be in order for Perry too.
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The Sabres need some veteran leadership to supplement a core of younger talent. At least a kick of Perry’s tires, and reasonable gamble on him if it’s a fit should be on the radar as they attempt to end a lengthy playoff drought.