BUFFALO, N.Y. — The host Sabres made the biggest splash early in the second round of the NHL draft, addressing a key need by acquiring veteran defenseman Dmitri Kulikov in a trade with the Florida Panthers.

Besides swapping second-round picks that moved Buffalo to No. 33 from No. 38, the Panthers got defenseman Mark Pysyk and the Sabres’ third-round pick, 89th overall.

“We have a need for a left-shot D. He had an outstanding playoff for them,” Sabres General Manager Tim Murray said of the Russian-born player.

Murray also addressed another topic that loomed over the draft by confirming his interest in making an offer to sign Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, should he enter the free agent market on July 1.

“I’m going to ask if he would be interested in Buffalo,” Murray said. “I have to ask that question, or I wouldn’t be doing my job.”

The interest in Stamkos ramped up Saturday – the first day all NHL teams were allowed to contact pending free agents.

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Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman said his approach hasn’t changed. He still isn’t ruling out re-signing Stamkos, and added he has no control over what other teams might do.

The Lightning made the second trade of the day, by sending prospect defenseman Anthony DeAngelo to Arizona for the 37th pick. Tampa Bay used the pick to select Czech defenseman Libor Hajek.

The New Jersey Devils traded the 77th pick to Pittsburgh to acquire right wing Beau Bennett.

In a swap of prospects, the Los Angeles Kings traded defenseman Nick Ebert to Dallas for goalie Jack Campbell.

The Philadelphia Flyers were the first to draft a goalie, selecting Canadian junior netminder Carter Hart at No. 48. It marked the latest the first goalie has been drafted since 1986, when Washington selected Shawn Simpson 60th.

FORMER BRUINS star Ray Bourque was arrested on a drunken driving charge after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash in Andover, Massachusetts, late Friday night. No injuries were reported.

CANUCKS: The NHL is reviewing whether to penalize Vancouver for tampering after General Manager Jim Benning expressed interest in acquiring players under contract, including Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos.

BLUE JACKETS-MAPLE LEAFS: Columbus acquired defenseman Scott Harrington and a conditional 2017 draft pick from Toronto for left wing Kerby Rychel – a first-round draft choice in 2013.

SABRES: A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that Buffalo police are investigating an allegation that Sabres forward Evander Kane physically harassed two women at a downtown bar early Friday.


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