The Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman can still swoop in and re-sign Oduya.
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Now what for Oduya?
If Connors and shout-outs to Buffalo fans sounds familiar, that’s because he has become something of the next generation’s Chris Berman when it comes to backing Buffalo on Sportscenter.
The 33-year old isn’t the only option for the Sabres right now, Murray stated.
Oduya, 33, would bring a strong veteran presence and Stanley Cup pedigree to a Sabres blueline that hasn’t been up to snuff in recent seasons. For him to flat-out say Sunday he had not moved on from Oduya was significant. “I haven’t moved on”.
“He hasn’t signed anywhere yet, so I haven’t moved on”, said Murray.
Even after the Sharp deal, Oduya’s camp is still holding out hope something can be done to return to Chicago. “I’m a big part of this organization going forward.’ And I think that’s what he did”.
Oduya’s agent, Don Meehan, said Monday that his client “should be close to a decision by (Tuesday)”.
Currently, the Blackhawks have Daley, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson, David Rundblad and Trevor van Riemsdyk as defensemen under contract the National Hockey League level.
Oduya is believed to be looking for a deal worth around the last season’s cap hit of $3.375 million.
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Buffalo is in need of a left-handed shot on defense and Oduya could bring the kind of experience the team needs to anchor its defensive corps. It started at the trade deadline in March when mammoth blueliner Tyler Myers and forward Drew Stafford were used to acquire Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian from the Winnipeg Jets and it continued into the summer as the recently-drafted Jack Eichel is set to join Kane and trade acquisition Ryan O’Reilly as main cogs in Buffalo’s new-look top-6.
