The Buffalo Sabres made their first trade of the offseason by acquiring defenseman Brandon Hickey and forward Mike Sislo from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forward Hudson Fasching.
Fasching is a restricted free agent and fell out of favor with Jason Botterill. He was a healthy scratch for two of the three Calder Cup playoff games for the Rochester Americans back in April. Until this trade was made it was a possibility the Sabres wouldn’t even qualify the big forward.
The Sabres acquired Fasching in the Brandon McNabb deal back in 2014. The Sabres also sent two second-round picks to the Los Angeles Kings as part of that package.
Hickey was a third-round pick (64 overall) by the Calgary Flames in 2014. The Coyotes just acquired the 22-year-old last summer as part of the package that sent Mike Smith to the Flames.
The Canadian born defender just wrapped up his senior year as the captain at Boston University. He had six goals and 14 points in 38 games for the Terriers.
Hickey is 6’2” and 201 pounds. He’s a smooth skating two-way defenseman that can give you a little bit of offense. He’s also good in his own end of the ice with his positioning.
The results of putting Jordan Greenway in the center of the ice as a center. His size and strength help set up Brandon Hickey for the eventual goal. 2-1 BU early 3rd. pic.twitter.com/XyDtyrTqTA
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) February 6, 2018
He remains unsigned and if Hickey cannot come to an agreement with the Sabres on a contract he’ll become an unrestricted free agent in August.
Sislo is a piece that is strictly for the Amerks. He hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2015-16 season. The 30-year-old right winger had 23 goals and 47 points in 68 games for the Tuscon Roadrunners last season.