Vancouver's Evander Kane is the centrepiece if a blockbuster NHL trade, reportedly completed just two weeks shy of the league's trade deadline for 2015.
Kane, Zach Bogosian, and Jason Kasdorf are on their way to the Buffalo Sabres. Heading to Manitoba in return are Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, prospects Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux, and a 1st-round pick in this year's draft. (Buffalo has three 1st-rounders, and the pick going Winnipeg's way is reportedly the lowest.)
(Those details via Sportsnet.ca)
Kane has been the subject of trade rumours for several seasons now, essentially since the Atlanta Thrashers moved north and brought Kane with them to Winnipeg. But talks hit the fryer last week, when Kane was a 'healthy scratch' (although that status seems like a hybrid in this case) in his hometown Vancouver, in a game against the Canucks, after an apparent pre-game scuffle with his Jets teammates, led by Dustin Byfuglien.
The Jets are currently fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, and will add Myers and Stafford as roster players for the push. Armia and Lemieux are two talented prospects, and Winnipeg now has two 1st-rounders in its pocket for this year's draft, which is expected to be perhaps the best class since 2003's all-time greatest.
Kane underwent shoulder surgery last weekend and is expected to be out for four-to-six months, meaning Buffalo is building for its future with the deal. But dealing for Kane and Bogosian helps the Sabres accelerate their rebuild next year, instead of waiting four or five years for their prospects to catch up.
Kane was Atlanta's fourth overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Bogosian was Atlanta's third overall pick the year before, in 2008.
VIDEO: The Best of Evander Kane (Highlights)