Looking for a big, gritty winger with a pretty decent track record having a down year and readying for unrestricted free agency?
Well do we have the guy for you!
Chris Stewart, the Buffalo Sabres' severely underperforming power forward, has drawn interest from several clubs throughout the year and is again popping up in trade rumors.
The latest, from Eklund of Hockeybuzz.com, has the Flyers and the Hurricanes showing some level of interest in the big, bad Stewart.
"It's no secret that Chris Stewart has had an awful season so far and is in the doghouse with Ted Nolan," Eklund wrote. "However, he's a UFA after the season and there are teams that are still interested. I am hearing Philadelphia still has interest -- they have for years, and not simply because of Stewart's close friendship with Wayne Simmonds -- because they would still like to add another big winger. The Hurricanes also have interest."
Stewart has only three goals and one assist so far this season - alarming totals considering he's played in 27 games.
The Flyers, much like the Oilers, are the team du jour for just about every trade rumor. Considering they've already got a big, seriously underperforming winger in R.J. Umberger weighing down the lineup it's hard to envision them giving up much to acquire Stewart, who hasn't managed more than 36 points since the 2010-11 season -- even if he is best buddies with Simmonds.
Plus, the Flyers, hampered by cap concerns, are basically approaching every potential deal with the idea of, "ok, we want this player, but for a trade to happen you've got to take this player and/or this ridiculous salary."
It hasn't amounted to much so far.
The Hurricanes, still missing Jordan Staal (though he did get out on the ice recently) could potentially have a spot for Stewart to fill. They're currently 26th in the league in goals per game and, while Stewart's potential addition wouldn't necessarily alleviate that issue, they would do well with an infusion of strength and power.
But with Stewart in the midst of a really tough year and having fallen out of favor with his coach, it's hard to envision a deal getting done with Buffalo dealing from such a weak position.
