Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill has been searching high and low for months to acquire a young, skilled, versatile, cost-controlled right shot defenseman.


On The eve of the NHL trade deadline, Botterill got his man.


Buffalo has acquired right shot defenseman Brandon Montour, 24, in exchange for a 2019 first round pick (either San Jose or St. Louis, owned by Buffalo) and prospect Brendan Guhle (LD).

Botterill likes to build his roster using U.S. college players as well as major junior players. Montour played one season for UMass (Amherst) in 2014-15.

Montour is a modern day puck mover. He plays north, has a fantastic first pass, can skate like the wind, loves to join the rush, can walk the line, has a bomb for a shot.

Montour recorded has scored 16G,47A for 63 points with a +11 rating in 169 career NHL games with Anaheim. Selected by the Ducks in the second round (55th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Montour led Ducks defensemen in points (5G,20A for 25 points), assists and games played (62), and co-led in goals. The 6’0”, 193-pound defenseman also recorded 8 assists with a +10 rating in 21 career playoff games with Anaheim.


“Brandon is a young, offensive-minded defenseman who can play the up-tempo style we are looking to play,” said General Manager Jason Botterill. “He’s a right-shot defenseman that brings additional playoff experience to our club.”

👀 https://t.co/yFEAJxskdC

— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 25, 2019

The Sabres will ice a D group in Toronto on Monday night that consists of:


McCabe-Ristolainen
Dahlin-Montour
Beaulieu-Bogosian


However, Beaulieu will likely be traded on Monday.

Marco Scandella will replace Beaulieu when he return from injury.


Guhle, 21, has collected five assists with 12 penalty minutes (PIM) in 23 career NHL games with Buffalo. The 6’2” 196-pound defenseman has played the majority of the 2018-19 NHL season with Rochester of the AHL earning 5G,22A for 27 points in 50 games as an AHL All-Star. He participated in the 2019 AHL Skills Competition where he posted the sixth-fastest time in the fastest skater competition in event history.

Selected by Buffalo in the second round (51st overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Guhle ranked second among Rochester defensemen in points, goals and assists at the time of his acquisition by Anaheim.


“Brendan Guhle is an excellent skater who is ready to take the next step in his career," said Executive Vice President/General Manager & Interim Head Coach Bob Murray. "Adding Guhle and a first-round pick is an important step as we retool our team moving forward. We also thank Brandon Montour for his efforts and wish him the best of luck in Buffalo."

In 112 career AHL games with Rochester, Guhle compiled 15-44=59 points with 62 PIM.

When Buffalo selected Rasmus Dahlin with the first overall pick at the 2018 NHL Draft, it immediately pushed Guhle down the organizational depth chart as both players are left shot D, Buffalo’s strong suit. The emergence of rookie Lawrence Pilut (LD) pushed Guhle to the side. Prospect Will Borgen has developed this season into one of Rochester’s top defenders this adding more pressure to Guhle to have to fight for his ice time.

#Sabres acquire @brandon_montour https://t.co/Q4SMvqdfZQ

— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 25, 2019

Montour hails from Ohsweken, Ontario. He is the exact right shot D #Sabres have needed this season. Excels at 5v5, PP and PK. He’s 24 and has one year remaining at $3,387,500M AAV.

— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 24, 2019

Montour has 5G,20A this season, 22 of his points are at even strength #Sabres pic.twitter.com/4TJAeEIsfb

— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 24, 2019

Interesting to note that Guhle and Ducks D Josh Manson are close friends. Josh’s father Dave coached Guhle. Guhle and Josh Manson work out together during summers

— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 25, 2019

I can tell you the Leafs were hot in pursuit of Montour earlier this season. They needed a RD yet trade a first rounder and prospects to LA for LD Jake Muzzin. Their loss is #Sabres gain. Leafs can eat their hearts out when Montour, #Sabres play in Toronto Monday night

— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 25, 2019

Have I not been telling you that Ducks and #Sabres have been very chummy the ost few months?

— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 25, 2019

In the past 18 months. The Ducks have gotten rid of Montour, Vatanen, Theodore, Pettersson from their once impressive D corps. It’s no wonder why they are going to be a lottery team come April

— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) February 25, 2019

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