Sabres place veteran forward on waivers amidst trade chatter

On Wednesday at the waivers deadline, it was confirmed that two players landed on the wire. The Buffalo Sabres have placed veteran forward Vinnie Hinostroza on waivers, while the Nashville Predators have done the same with former first round pick Michael McCarron.

The focus comes to Hinostroza, whose name has been mentioned in trade circles lately. It’s been reported that the Sabres have been looking to move the forward, who re-signed at a $1.7 million salary this offseason, especially since he’s been out of the lineup for 19 of the last 21 games in Buffalo. The 28-year-old has put up eight assists in 19 games this season, but it remains that he has been passed on the depth chart by the Sabres’ younger forwards.

There is a sense that the Sabres were looking to trade him in order to get Hinostroza more playing elsewhere. Maybe the fact that he lands on waivers on Wednesday means that no suitors came calling despite Hinostroza being a solid depth forward who can bring energy to the bottom six of a lineup.

As for McCarron, he was reinstated from the NHL’s player assistance program Wednesday. He was placed on waivers because the team is up against the salary cap. If McCarron clears waivers and is not claimed by another team he will be assigned to Milwaukee of the AHL.

McCarron, who entered the assistance program Dec. 11, has one goal and one assist in 15 games for the Predators this season. He is signed a $1.5 million two-year, two-way contract with Nashville in July 2021. He was picked in the first round, 25th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2013 NHL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Habs before joining the Predators organization in 2019.