The L.A. Kings needed a big, physical defenseman as they gear up for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Buffalo Sabres are sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference, slipping further and further out the playoff picture.
That resulted in defenseman Robyn Regehr waiving his no-trade clause and being dealt from Buffalo to L.A. on Monday.
Sabres beat reporter John Vogl of the Buffalo News caught up with Sabres general manager Darcy Regier, then posted segments of the conversation on Twitter.
“We have to be realistic about where we are and the direction we’re going, and in this ... case it was important to take advantage of getting draft picks and to use those draft picks to build,” Regier told Vogl.
Sabres GM Darcy Regier: "We're really going to look toward building this team, not just to move into the playoffs ..." (1/2)
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) April 2, 2013
Regier: "but go deep into the playoffs. No one is quite sure of the timeline, but we're certainly going to focus in next season." (2/2)
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) April 2, 2013
The deal, however, is contingent on the 32-year-old Regehr passing a physical, according to NHL.com.
“We will withhold comment on the trade until after the medical exam is completed,” Kings general manager Dean Lombardi told NHL.com.