NHL rumors: Michael Kesselring asked for change of scenery before trade to Sharks

The San Jose Sharks traded for defenseman Michael Kesselring from the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the NHL Draft. They moved back seven spots in the first round of the upcoming draft to make the move. Kesselring was only in Buffalo for one season before they shipped him off to the Sharks. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun says that Kesslering asked for a trade from the Sabres before the move.

“Per league sources, Kesselring asked for a change of scenery out of Buffalo after a tough year battling knee and ankle injuries and never moving up the lineup,” LeBrun reported. “He appeared in only one playoff game. Which is why I get the move from Buffalo’s perspective, as well — especially when one considers that Kesselring is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He could have gotten a one-year deal in arbitration and bridged himself to UFA next year, in which case Buffalo would no longer have had a tradeable asset. So the Sabres felt they had to act now.”

The Sabres traded JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth last offseason, getting Kesslering and Josh Doan back in return. Doan was a huge piece to their return to the playoffs, but Kesselring fell out of favor. New general manager Jarmo Kekalainen traded for Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley at the trade deadline, sending Kesslering to the press box.

The Sharks are building a great young core of forwards, but don’t have many defensemen in the pipeline. This trade costs them a few spots in the draft, but gives them a 26-year-old defender to build around. It should not concern the Sharks that Kesselring wanted out after just one year with the Sabres. If he flourishes in his role in San Jose, this could be a long-term connection between the team and the player.

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