Jason Pominville Reportedly Traded from Buffalo Sabres to Minnesota Wild

Shortly before the NHL trade deadline, the Minnesota Wild made a big move to acquire Jason Pominville from the Buffalo Sabres.

According to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Buffalo will receive prospects Johan Larsson and Matt Hackett in return:

Pominville had spent each of his nine years in the NHL with the Sabres, totaling 456 points in his career. This season, he has 10 goals and 15 assists.  

John Vogl of the Buffalo News previously reported that the team’s captain had a modified no-trade clause. He submitted a list of the eight teams that he refused to be a part of.

It appears the Wild were not a part of this list, and the wing is certain to make a big difference in the Western Conference.

Minnesota entered Wednesday tied with the Vancouver Canucks for first place in the Northwest Division. After the Canucks acquired center Derek Roy on Tuesday (per ESPN.com), the Wild matched the rival with a big offensive move of their own. 

Pominville will provide his new team with help on both ends of the ice, as well as veteran leadership in the locker room.

In return, the Sabres will receive two players who have each only played one game with the Wild this season, but have a lot of potential. Larsson is a 20-year-old wing drafted in the second round in 2010, while Hackett is a 23-year-old goaltender playing well for the Houston Aeros in the AHL.

Buffalo hopes that this will aid in a rebuilding process after a disappointing season.