Sabres Acquire Regehr, Kotalik from Flames for Butler, Byron

The Buffalo Sabres announced on Saturday that they have acquired defenseman Robyn Regehr, right wing Ales Kotalik, and Calgary's second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft in exchange for defenseman Chris Butler and center Paul Byron. The Flames had asked Regehr on Thursday to waive his no-movement clause to facilitate a trade to the Sabres and the deal was completed two days later. In 79 games last season with the Flames, Regehr had two goals and 15 assists for 17 points. Kotalik appeared in 26 games last season with Calgary, scoring four goals and two assists for six points. He also played in 25 games with Abbotsford of the AHL, scoring six goals and 16 assists for 22 points. In 49 games last season with the Sabres, Butler had two goals and seven assists for nine points, while Byron had one goal and one assist in eight games. He also appeared in 67 games with Portland of the AHL, scoring 26 goals and 27 assists for 53 points. Not a bad move for the Sabres, as they get a quality shutdown defenseman in Regehr. He also has good size, plays with some grit, and has some leadership skills, so he should be a good fit for the Sabres. Buffalo will likely hope that re-acquiring Kotalik will help him improve his offensive game by playing in familiar surroundings. As for the Flames, they get a puck-moving defenseman in Butler who will bring some depth to their blueline. Byron brings some two-way skill and offensive upside to the team, but will likely play a fourth line role next season. The Flames also trimmed some salary from their payroll by shipping out Regehr and Kotalik, which they promptly used to sign left wing Alex Tanguay to a five-year contract extension worth $17.5 million.

Cheechoo, Kotalik Among NHL Players Currently on Waivers

On Monday, the following NHL players have been placed on waivers with the purpose of buying out their contracts. The players will have until noon tomorrow to be claimed by other teams. If they go unclaimed, they will likely have their contracts bought out and become unrestricted free agents.

Jonathan Cheechoo, RW - Ottawa
Ville Koistinen, D - Florida
Ales Kotalik, RW - Calgary
Petteri Nokelainen, C - Phoenix
Jim Vandermeer, D - Phoenix

I will be surprised if any of these players are claimed off waivers, as any team interested in acquiring them would be better off waiting until they are bought out and signing them to new, more affordable contracts. Cheechoo currently carries a $3.5 million price tag, and with only five goals and 14 points in 61 games last season, will likely keep any team from wanting to claim him. Kotalik, who is currently set to earn $3 million during each of the next two seasons, was wildly inconsistent last season with the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames, managing only 11 goals and 27 points in 71 games. His inconsistent play, lack of scoring, and salary will likely keep him from going claimed.

Flames Ship Jokinen, Prust to Rangers for Kotalik, Higgins

***UPDATE***
tsn.ca is now confirming that this trade has officially gone through. It was announced following Calgary's 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.

***UPDATE***
According to Bob McKenzie on tsn.ca, this trade is on hold for now, as the Flames want Olli Jokinen in the line-up tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers. Brandon Prust may also play tonight as well. McKenzie also reports that Ales Kotalik may not want to waive his no-trade clause to go to Calgary, and that the Flames may have backed out of the deal. Stay tuned to this one folks, as it's bound to get interesting.

According to tsn.ca, the Calgary Flames and New York Rangers are expected to announce a trade which will send Flames' center Olli Jokinen and left wing Brandon Prust to the Rangers for left wing Ales Kotalik and left wing Chris Higgins. The announcement comes nearly 12 hours after the Flames shipped defenseman Dion Phaneuf to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a seven player trade. The move comes in the wake of the Flames' recent slide through the standings that has them in danger of sliding out of playoff contention. The Rangers have also struggled offensively recently and are too in danger of missing the playoffs. Jokinen was originally acquired by the Flames during last season's trade deadline in the hopes that he would mesh with Jarome Iginla, but neither player could develop any chemistry together offensively. In 55 games this season with the Flames, Jokinen has 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points, while Prust has one goal and four assists for five points and 98 penalty minutes in 42 games. Kotalik has played in 45 games so far this season, scoring eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points, while Higgins has six goals and eight assists for 14 points.

As long as this trade goes through, it's really nothing more than a swap of struggling forwards and hoping they regain their offensive touch with their new teams. Jokinen has been in offensive decline for the past few seasons, but when he's on top of his game, he can be a very steady offensive contributor. Prust gives the Rangers a very gritty, physical checking line forward who will bring the toughness that the team has lacked throughout the season. Kotalik started off the season strong, but faded quickly and has been a healthy scratch in recent games. Higgins has struggled mightily this season as well, unable to regain his 20-goals-per-season form. However, when on their respected games, Kotalik and Higgins can be reliable offensive contributors. The gamble the Flames face in this trade is acquiring Kotalik. He still has two more years left on his contract at $3 million per season. If he fails to improve his offensive production over the course of this season and the next, he will be an expensive acquisition. Only time will tell whether this trade could help out either team.

Rangers Sign Forward Ales Kotalik to Three-Year Deal

The New York Rangers added some much needed offense to their team last Thursday by signing left wing Ales Kotalik to a three-year contract worth $9 million. The deal averages out to $3 million per season. Kotalik appeared in 75 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers after being dealt to the Oilers at the 2009 trade deadline in exchange for a second round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft. In those 75 games, he scored 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points. In 445 career games with the Sabres and Oilers, he has 121 goals and 130 assists for 251 points. Not a bad signing for the Rangers, as they were in need of some offensive and goal-scoring depth for next season. Kotalik brings lots of offensive skill to the team, especially on the power play, and will likely be a top-six forward for the Rangers next season.

Oilers Acquire Kotalik from Sabres

The Edmonton Oilers added some scoring depth to their offense on Wednesday by acquiring left wing Ales Kotalik from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a second round draft pick. It was rumored earlier in the season that Kotalik could be on the move at the deadline as it appeared the Sabres were not interested in signing him to a new contract. He will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 56 games so far this season, Kotalik has 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points. This is a good pickup by the Oilers, as Kotalik will bring plenty of offensive talent and veteran experience to their young forward lines as they look to hold onto a playoff spot.