Pens deal Sheary, Hunwick to Sabres

Associated Press

buffalo, n.y.

Sabres general manager Jason Botterill is drawing from his championship past in Pittsburgh to provide a boost in Buffalo.

The Sabres acquired Conor Sheary and defenseman Matt Hunwick in a trade with Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The Penguins obtained a conditional 2019 fourth-round pick that could improve to a third-rounder in move that frees up $5.5 million of space under their salary cap before the NHL’s free-agency period opens Sunday.

Sheary is a dependable two-way forward who will be given an opportunity to play wing on one of Buffalo’s top lines centered by Jack Eichel or Ryan O’Reilly.

Sheary’s production dropped last year when he finished with 18 goals and 30 points in 79 games.

Sheary has one year left on his contract before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

Hunwick is an 11-year veteran, who signed a two-year contract with the Penguins in free agency last summer. He finished with four goals and 10 points in 42 games last season.

The Penguins re-signed forward Riley Sheahan to a $2.1 million, one-year contract.

Sheahan had 11 goals and 21 assists in 71 games with the Penguins.