Dreger revisits Sens', Pens' level of interest in Sabres' Stewart

Darren Dreger was on Ottawa’s TSN 1200 on Monday afternoon.

On if there is a market for Chris Stewart around the NHL:

“Yeah, there’s definitely a market there. I mean, the market that was interested was scared away because Tim Murray wanted way too much for Chris Stewart and then Chris Stewart’s play dropped off. He was in and out of the lineup, so the asking price dipped a little bit; but not substantively enough that any team that had interest – and I would include Ottawa in that mix – was willing to take the chance.

“As Stewart continues to improve his stock, that’s going to help. So too is the fact that the money comes down in the second half of the season, so any cap team that might be a contending team by playoff standards would have some interest. Because of the cap scenario, when the money goes down, then that makes that player a bit more appealing as well.

“But the Buffalo Sabres are a curious story right now. 11-6-1 in their last 18 doesn’t seem like a team that’s in the Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel sweepstakes, as they were supposed to be. But I still think that Tim Murray knows what he has to do, and he’s got to improve his club not just short-term, but long-term.

“And Chris Stewart is going to be a player that’s on the move. And the same teams that have kicked tires to this point will probably circle back. Maybe not Ottawa so much, unless they jump back into the playoff picture here in short order. Pittsburgh had limited interest initially. I think that still remains the same.

“But he’s a gritty, physical guy who’s got some upside. And as long as he continues to play well – or as we said earlier, improves his performance – that’s also going to better the teams on the list of those who are most interested.”

Source: TSN 1200/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey

Nichols on Hockey

Nichols on Hockey

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Nichols on Hockey

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