The Buffalo Sabres have acquired Matt Hunwick and Conor Sheary from the Pittsburgh Penguins in return for a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2019. This trade was made just before the upcoming free agency period starting on July 1, as the Penguins clear cap space. The trade news was first reported by TSN.
Conor Sheary, 26, a winger, is under contract until the 2019-2020 season with a cap hit of $3 million. He joined the Penguins in 2015 as an undrafted free agent and had a standout season in 2016-2017 with 23 goals and 30 assists in 61 games. However, his performance dipped last season with 18 goals, 12 assists in 79 regular-season games, and just two assists in 12 playoff games.
Matt Hunwick, the 33-year-old defenseman, is also signed for the next two seasons with a cap hit of $2.25 million. He played only 42 games for the Penguins last season averaging 17 minutes and 31 seconds on the ice per game but did not participate in any playoff games. With the freed up cap space, the Penguins re-signed forward Riley Sheahan to a one-year deal worth $2.1 million.
The Penguins, who won the Stanley Cup back-to-back, were knocked out in the second round of the playoffs this season by the Washington Capitals. On the other hand, the Sabres have not made the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons but are hopeful for the future after selecting defenseman Rasmus Dahlin with the first overall pick in the recent NHL draft.
Jason Botterill, the General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres, took up the role in April last year after serving as an assistant general manager in Pittsburgh. The Penguins now have a projected cap space of over $12 million as they head into free agency.
