Is Buffalo Sabres forward Jamie McGinn worth a second-round pick? We may soon find out, as Bob McKenzie of TSN revealed recently that the Sabres are shopping McGinn at that price point. Of course, with the NHL trade market nearly nonexistent and value for rental players reportedly down, it's unlikely that McGinn would land such a haul, but hey, don't tell an NHL personnel man he can't dream.
McGinn, 27, came into the league with the San Jose Sharks, landed with the Colorado Avalanche via trade in 2012 and then wound up with the Sabres this offseason. He's in the final year of a two-year deal he signed with the Avs in 2014-15 that pays him $3 million and carries a $2.95 million cap hit.
His numbers this season are good - 12 goals and 13 assists through 58 games - though his minus-11 and 48.0 Corsi For aren't exactly stellar. McGinn has been a fit for Buffalo playing alongside Ryan O'Reilly on the Sabres' top line thanks in large part to his rugged style.
But questions regarding McGinn's long-term NHL prospects remain despite his strong play this season. He appeared in just 19 games for the Avs last season thanks to recurrent neck injuries. And what to make of a player performing so well in a contract season? It's always questionable when a guy goes off or returns to form when money is on the line.
On most teams, McGinn isn't a top line guy, but he is a useful depth player with an NHL skill set. In the right circumstances, he could be a big pick up for a postseason run. But whether or not his contributions are worth a second-round pick seems to be the question.
