Rumor: New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres closing in on deal

Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman wrote earlier this week that he believes the New Jersey Devils are considering a trade with the Buffalo Sabres that would involve one of the Sabres disgruntled defensemen.

Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill has revamped the defence in Buffalo in the last few seasons. The Sabres have added Rasmus Dahlin through the draft and traded last year for Brandon Montour and Henri Jokiharju. Earlier this season defensemen Zach Bogosian and Rasmus Ristolainen requested trades to get out of Buffalo.

Friedman noted that the New Jersey Devils would be interested in Jake McCabe, but doubts the Sabres would part with him easily. Would the Buffalo Sabres take PK Subban out of New Jersey for one or both Bogosian and Ristolainen? Devils beat writer Chris Ryan wrote he thought the New Jersey Devils would be interested in AHL defenseman Lawrence Pilut, a 24 year-old Swede who played 33 games for the Buffalo Sabres last season.

Rasmus Ristolainen has 19 points in 41 games this season. Zach Bogosian has been in and out of the lineup. PK Subban has 8 points in 39 games with the New Jersey Devils and has a ugly -13 to his name. Subban also carries a $9 million cap hit and would have to agree to any trade from the New Jersey Devils.

With the February 24th trade deadline approaching, expect the PK Subban trade rumors to reach a fever pitch.