During day two of the NHL Draft, the Sabres traded defenseman Mark Pysyk as well as the 38th and 89th pick to the Florida Panthers for defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and pick 33.
With pick 33, they selected center Rasmus Asplund from Sweden.
We spoke to Pysyk who said the following:
On Saturday's trade: "Definitely mixed emotions leaving the team I've been with my entire pro career, guys I've gone through the years with, grown with. Definitely sad to be leaving those guys. But I have a great opportunity. Great team (Panthers). I'm looking forward to it."
On if he was caught by surprise: "I wasn't expecting it. Caught a little by surprise. The way things are you can't get comfortable wherever you are. I didn't expect it."
On his years with the Sabres organization: "It was awesome. The Pegulas are doing a great job. Tim Murray's putting together a team on the way up. It's going to be a good team. Great hockey town. For me I grew up as a player and learned how to be a pro there. I owe a lot to the organization for giving me an opportunity to play for the Amerks and Sabres and giving me a chance."