The Buffalo Sabres have finally joined in on the trade action…with a minor league deal. The Sabres have traded forward Dan Catenacci to the NY Rangers for defenseman Mat Bodie. Obviously this is a minor deal but one that should really help Rochester.
Catenacci was a Sabres 3rd round pick in 2011 out of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack. Catenacci is a small player known for his skill but has not done much at the AHL level. He currently has 13 points in 50 games after having 24 points in 50 games last season. Catenacci had a brief stint in Buffalo last season but did not register a point in 11 games. He’ll likely be remembered for being on the wrong side of a Radko Gudas hit that left him a little banged up.
Mat Bodie, on the other hand, is a left handed defenseman and has been the captain for the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers AHL affiliate, for the past two years. Bodie can be described as an offensive player, he currently has 30 points in 45 games, and a smart player on the ice. You may remember his name from the 2014 Union College team that won the National Championship, where he was also the captain. In his first game as an Amerk, they will be taking on the St. Johns Ice Caps this Friday in Rochester.
The Sabres will surely be making a few more moves. Tonight we will likely see Dimitry Kulikov and Cody Franson in Sabres jersey’s for the last time this season. Anders Nilsson has been involved in a few rumors himself and it remains to be seen what his future holds. Evander Kane’s name has been thrown around as well but nothing concrete has been said by any of the big name reporters like Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie.
For up to date Sabres news heading into the trade deadline make sure you are following @SabresFanatics and myself at @Sabres_Talk!
