The Sabres have reportedly made a deal with the Los Angeles Kings, sending Brayden McNabb, Jonathan Parker, and two second round picks to the Los Angeles Kings for two prospects, one being Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Hunter Fasching according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. Nicholas Deslaurier, a third round pick in 2009, is reportedly also coming Buffalo’s way.
Brayden McNabb, the Sabres third round pick in 2009, had spent a majority of the season in Rochester. He’s played 37 games with the Sabres, scoring one goal and seven assists.
Fasching was a fourth round pick in last year’s draft, but has seemed to impress people this season with Minnesota.
Fasching was a fourth-round pick last year. He’s taken a giant leap in his development this year. Stood out at WJC, great as true Fr. at Min
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) March 5, 2014
Who is Hudson Fasching? Freshman RW for No. 1-ranked University of Minnesota Gophers. Has 12-15-27 in 31 games. 6-2, 207. 4th Rd, in ’13.
— Kevin Oklobzija (@kevinoDandC) March 5, 2014
Burnside: Hudson Fasching is a rising prep star, but there is more to his story than pucks #Sabres http://t.co/NQvzKxDHEX
— Eric Schmitz (@3rdManIn) March 5, 2014
Deslaurier has played three seasons with the Kings AHL affiliate Manchester. This season he has 18 goals and 21 assists in 60 games with the Monarchs.
Here’s the official Sabres press release on the trade:
The Buffalo Sabres today announced that the team has acquired forwards Nicolas Deslauriers and Hudson Fasching from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Brayden McNabb, forward Jonathan Parker and two second-round draft picks. The draft picks, acquired by Buffalo in a trade with Los Angeles for Robyn Regehr at the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline, are for the 2014 and 2015 NHL Entry Drafts.
Deslauriers (6’1”, 230 lbs., 2/22/91) has led the Manchester Monarchs (AHL) in goals (18) and shots (217) this season, totaling 39 points (18+21) through 60 games in his first professional season as a forward. Despite spending the season at left wing, the LaSalle, Quebec native played his first two AHL seasons with the Monarchs as a defenseman, tallying 37 points (5+32) in 128 games and leading Monarchs defensemen with 80 penalty minutes in 2012-13. Before his selection in the third round (84th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Deslauriers posted prolific numbers as a defenseman with Rouyn-Noranda and Gatineau (QMJHL), recording 127 points (35+92) in 223 games on the blue line.
Fasching (6’2”, 213 lbs., 7/28/95), was originally drafted by Los Angeles in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Currently playing for the University of Minnesota (Big Ten), Fasching ranks third on the team and seventh in the conference with 27 points (12+15) through 31 games in his freshman campaign. Prior to his career with the Golden Gophers, Fasching spent two seasons with the U.S. National Development Team (USHL), where he played in 62 games and tallied 32 points (11+21).